Housewarming Cookie

Just came back from a great housewarming party hosted by some friends who recently bought their first place.  The house was decorated beautifully, like out of a Pottery Barn catalog, and I was very impressed with all the improvements they've made.   I brought these cookies along to celebrate the momentous occasion.  Each cookie had their address printed on it, but I've blurred part of it out since you don't need to know where they live..hehehe.  (I'm still learning the photo editing software so excuse my clumsy job.)  

I'm no where near buying a  place of my own anytime soon, what with the San Francisco real estate market being so inflated, but I'm really in awe of those who take that plunge.   Maybe one day.  Until  then I'm just fine hanging tight in my  flat.  All I can say is thank god for rent control!

Basic Vanilla Sugar Cookie 

1 cup butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla extract and combine until egg is completely incorporated.  Add flour, baking powder and salt and mix until no trace of dry ingredients remain. 

Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4" thickness and cut out shapes using cookie cutters.

Bake for about 18 minutes or until golden brown.

Royal Icing

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup meringue powder

water

gel food coloring

Mix powdered sugar and meringue powder in mixer until well combined.  Slowly add water and mix until you get the consistency you want*.  Add food coloring to achieve your desired color.

For outlining: consistency should be like glue paste

For flooding: add enough water so that the consistency is pretty runny

* Note: Royal Icing is extremely forgiving.  If you find you've added too much water and the icing is too runny, just add more powdered sugar.  Vice versa if your icing is too thick.