Spring Tea Party Cookies

Short description
Delicate and elegant sugar cookies, beautifully decorated with spring-themed royal icing, perfect for tea parties, bridal showers, or Easter celebrations. These cookies are both stunning and delicious, bringing seasonal charm to any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for special springtime events like tea parties and holidays
• Buttery sugar cookie base with a hint of citrus zest
• Easy to customize icing colors and floral designs
• Impressive presentation that’s surprisingly simple to achieve
• Make-ahead friendly—ideal for hosting or gifting

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Fresh lemon zest (optional, for a fresh citrus twist)
• Vanilla extract

For the Royal Icing:

• Powdered sugar
• Meringue powder
• Water
• Food coloring gel (pink, green, purple, etc.)
• Gold luster dust (optional, for a decorative accent)
• Clear alcohol (such as vodka or Everclear for luster dust)

Directions

1. Prepare the sugar cookie dough: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs, vanilla, and lemon zest (if using). Whisk dry ingredients separately, then gradually add to the wet mixture.
2. Chill the dough: Wrap the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. Roll and cut: Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick and cut into desired shapes.
4. Bake: Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Let cool completely.
5. Make royal icing: Mix powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water to reach desired consistencies—thicker for outlining and decorations, thinner for flooding.
6. Decorate base layer: Outline each cookie with thick icing and flood the center with thin icing. Let dry 4–8 hours.
7. Add gold accents: Mix luster dust with alcohol and gently brush on dried base. Allow to dry 15 minutes.
8. Pipe flowers and leaves: Use thick icing with piping tips to add floral designs. Let dry fully before storing.

Servings and timing

• Yield: 24–36 cookies, depending on size
• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Chill time: 1 hour
• Bake time: 8–10 minutes per batch
• Decorating and drying time: 6–10 hours (may vary by design complexity)
• Total time: Approximately 8–12 hours

Variations

• Replace lemon zest with orange or almond extract for a different flavor
• Use pastel food coloring for a soft spring palette
• Add edible glitter or sprinkles for extra flair
• Skip the floral icing and use patterned cookie stamps instead
• Use different seasonal cookie cutter shapes

Storage/reheating

• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days
• Place parchment paper between layers to protect the decorations
• Freezing: Place decorated cookies in a single layer, freeze until solid, then store in a container with parchment between layers for up to 3 months
• Thaw at room temperature—do not microwave or reheat, as it can ruin the icing

FAQs

How far in advance can I make these cookies?

You can bake and decorate them up to 3–5 days ahead. For longer storage, freeze them.

Can I use store-bought icing?

You can, but royal icing made from scratch offers better texture and control for detailed decorations.

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Yes, chilling helps the cookies hold their shape and improves the texture.

Can I skip the lemon zest?

Absolutely. It’s optional and can be substituted or omitted entirely.

How long should I let the icing dry before adding decorations?

Allow the base icing to dry for at least 4–8 hours before piping on flowers or accents.

What type of food coloring is best?

Gel food coloring works best because it gives vibrant color without thinning the icing.

Can I pipe flowers in advance and store them?

Yes, you can pipe royal icing flowers on parchment paper, let them dry completely, then store them for later use.

How do I get clean, sharp icing lines?

Use stiff icing for outlines and practice even pressure when piping. A steady hand helps too.

Will the gold luster dust affect the flavor?

No, luster dust is tasteless and purely decorative.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute a high-quality gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Make sure it includes xanthan gum or add it separately.

Conclusion

Spring Tea Party Cookies are the perfect blend of charm and flavor. With their elegant appearance and buttery sweetness, they’re sure to impress at any spring event. Whether you’re hosting a formal tea or gifting a homemade treat, these cookies make a delightful centerpiece—and a delicious one too.

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