Lucky Charm Sugar Cookies St Patricks Day Fun

Instructions:

1. Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Gradually Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
5. Chill the Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).
6. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
7. Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
8. Bake: Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between them. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
9. Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Make Royal Icing: In a clean bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a piping consistency. Divide the icing and tint it green.
11. Decorate: Transfer the icing to piping bags or ziplock bags with the corner snipped off. Pipe the outline of the cookies and flood the center with icing. Use sprinkles, shamrocks, and other decorations to personalize your St. Patrick's Day cookies.
12. Let Icing Set: Allow the icing to dry completely before serving or storing. This usually takes several hours.