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Perfect Cap and Diploma Sugar Cookie Decorating Set 5 Easy Graduation Ideas

cap and diploma sugar cookie decorating set - featured image
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Celebrate graduation with these soft, buttery sugar cookies shaped like caps and diplomas, decorated with smooth royal icing for a festive and personal touch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¾ cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour, sifted (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 4 cups (480 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 9–10 tablespoons warm water
  • Gel food coloring (black, white, gold, and any accent colors)
  • Graduation cap and diploma cookie cutters
  • Piping bags and tips (#1 or #2 tips)
  • Edible gold dust or shimmer (optional)
  • Sprinkles or edible pearls (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a mixing bowl, cream softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract; mix until combined. Slowly add dry ingredients and mix until dough forms. Add flour if too sticky.
  2. Chill the Dough: Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour or overnight.
  3. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  4. Roll and Cut: Roll dough to about ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes. Transfer to baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.
  5. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges start to turn golden. Cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
  6. Prepare Royal Icing: Combine powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl. Gradually add warm water while mixing until stiff peaks form (about 5 minutes). Divide and tint with gel colors.
  7. Decorate: Fill piping bags with colored icing. Outline caps in black or dark color and flood with thinner consistency. Use white or gold for diploma details and tassels. Let each layer dry about 20 minutes before adding more details.
  8. Finishing Touches: Add edible gold dust or sprinkle pearls on cookies. Let dry completely for at least 4 hours or overnight before storing or packaging.

Notes

Chill dough for at least 1 hour for clean shapes and less spreading. Use two consistencies of royal icing: thicker for outlines and thinner for flooding. Let each icing layer dry fully before adding the next to prevent bleeding. Add a drop of water if icing thickens while decorating. Use a fan on low to speed drying but avoid cracking. Dough can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen. Freeze undecorated cookies flat with parchment between layers.

Nutrition

Keywords: graduation cookies, sugar cookies, cookie decorating, royal icing, graduation party treats, gluten-free sugar cookies, festive cookies

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/perfect-cap-and-diploma-sugar-cookie-decorating-set-5-easy-graduation-ideas/