Football season is here, and you KNOW what that means: snacks! And what’s more fun than chowing down on something totally festive? That’s where these football-shaped sugar cookies come in. Seriously, learning how to make football shaped sugar cookies with royal icing is a total game-changer for your game-day spread.
Now, I’m not gonna lie, decorating sugar cookies used to intimidate me. My first attempts? Let’s just say they looked less like Pinterest-worthy masterpieces and more like… well, abstract art gone wrong. But trust me, with a little practice (and maybe a few deep breaths!), you can totally nail these. I’ve been baking for years, and sharing recipes is my absolute favorite thing. So, let’s get our aprons on and get ready to score some serious baking points!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Festive and Fun How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Okay, let’s be real – these aren’t just cookies; they’re edible footballs! What’s more perfect for game day than a treat shaped like the star of the show? They just scream “party time!”
Delicious and Impressive How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
These sugar cookies aren’t just cute; they’re seriously yummy! The buttery cookie paired with the sweet royal icing? *Chef’s kiss!* Plus, they look like you spent hours on them (even if you didn’t!). Total win.
Beginner-Friendly How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Don’t worry if you’re not a cookie decorating pro! This recipe is totally doable, even if you’re just starting out. I’ll walk you through every step, so you can make cookies that look and taste amazing. Promise!
Ingredients for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up these awesome football cookies. First, you’ll need 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) of all-purpose flour. And make sure you have extra for rolling out the dough – trust me, you’ll need it! Then grab 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Can’t forget those!
For the good stuff, you’re gonna want 3/4 cup (that’s 12 Tbsp or 170g) of unsalted butter, *softened*. Seriously, softened butter is key here. And 3/4 cup (150g) of granulated sugar. One large egg, at room temperature, please! Then, 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, because vanilla makes everything better. I also like to add a little something extra – either 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract (but that’s totally optional!).
Of course, you’ll need royal icing! I usually make a big batch – enough to generously ice all the cookies. I’ll link my favorite royal icing recipe below. And lastly, some coarse sugar sprinkles are always fun for adding a little sparkle. Okay, ready to get baking?
Step-by-Step: How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Preparing the Dough for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Okay, first things first: the dough. Whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl – just to get everything evenly distributed. Then, in a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until it’s nice and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if you’re using it!). Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix! Divide the dough, roll it out, and chill it for at least an hour. This is SUPER important, so don’t skip it!
Baking How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Alright, let’s get baking! Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper – makes cleanup a breeze. Cut out your football shapes using a cookie cutter. Re-roll any leftover dough to get as many cookies as possible! Arrange the cookies on the baking sheets and bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Gotta make sure they’re totally cool before icing!
Decorating How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Now for the fun part! Prepare your royal icing according to your recipe (or the one I linked!). Tint part of the icing brown – that’s for the football base. Leave the rest white for the laces. Frost the cookies with the brown icing and let it set completely – a couple of hours should do it. Then, using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, pipe the white laces onto the footballs. This takes a little practice, so don’t worry if they’re not perfect at first! Add sprinkles if you’re feeling extra fancy. Let the icing set completely before storing. And that’s it – you’ve got adorable football cookies!
Tips for Perfect How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Ingredient Essentials for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Okay, listen up! Room temperature ingredients are KEY! Seriously, don’t skip this. Soft butter creams so much better, and the egg incorporates evenly. And, splurge on good vanilla extract! It makes a difference, trust me!
Dough Handling for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Chilling the dough? Non-negotiable! It prevents spreading in the oven, giving you those perfect football shapes. Also, when you’re rolling, dust with flour often. Sticky dough is a nightmare, and nobody wants that!
Icing Expertise for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Gel food coloring is your friend! It gives you vibrant colors without thinning the icing. And when you’re piping those laces, steady hands are a must. Practice on a plate first if you’re feeling shaky. You got this!
Variations for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Okay, so you’ve nailed the basic football cookie? Awesome! Now let’s get creative! Try using different extracts – like maple or even a little bit of orange zest in the dough. Yum! Or, you could totally paint team logos on the cookies with edible food markers. How cool is that? And, of course, adding team-colored sprinkles is always a fun way to show your spirit!
Storing Your How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
These cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 5 days… if they last that long! Don’t stack them too high, or you’ll risk smudging the icing. And honestly, reheating isn’t really a thing for sugar cookies. Just enjoy them as they are!
Nutritional Information
Okay, so here’s the deal: the nutritional info is just an estimate, okay? It totally depends on the brands and exact ingredients you use. So, don’t take it as gospel!
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing
Can I make the dough ahead of time for How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
Absolutely! In fact, I usually do! Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can even freeze it for longer storage – just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling it out. Easy peasy!
How to prevent spreading when making How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing?
Okay, this is a big one! Chilling the dough is your best friend. Seriously, don’t skip that step. Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate, and don’t overbake the cookies. Slightly underbaked is better than overbaked when it comes to sugar cookies!
Freezing Your How to Make Football Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing: Is it possible?
Yep, you can totally freeze decorated cookies! Just make sure the royal icing is completely set first. Then, arrange the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container, with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep in the freezer for a month or two. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them at room temperature. Just be gentle, okay?
Ready to Bake?
Alright, what are you waiting for? Get in the kitchen and make these! And hey, if you do, be sure to share a pic – I’d love to see your creations! Leave a comment or rate the recipe, too!
Print
How to Make Football Cookies: 3 Crucial Icing Tips
- Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours, 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 3-4 inch cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make delicious and festive football-shaped sugar cookies with royal icing. Follow these steps for a fun baking project.
Ingredients
- 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Royal Icing
- Optional: Coarse sugar sprinkles
Instructions
- Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using).
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Divide dough into 2 parts. Roll each to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Dust one rolled-out dough with flour. Place parchment on top. Place the second rolled-out dough on top. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut dough into football shapes. Re-roll remaining dough.
- Arrange cookies on baking sheets. Bake for 11-12 minutes.
- Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Royal Icing. Tint part of the icing brown. Keep other part white.
- Decorate cookies with brown icing and let set for 2-3 hours.
- Pipe white laces on top. Add sprinkles, if desired.
- Let icing completely set in 2-3 hours.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
- Ensure butter and egg are at room temperature for best results.
- Chilling the dough is crucial for easy handling.
- Adjust baking time based on your oven.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
