Description

These Graduation Cookies are the ultimate celebratory treat—beautifully decorated, tender sugar cookies that can be customized with school colors, shapes, and personal messages. Whether you’re baking for a party, a gift bag, or a dessert spread, these cookies deliver both flavor and fun.

They hold their shape, taste buttery and soft, and are made for decorating. With royal icing that sets perfectly, you can get as detailed or simple as you’d like. They’re as festive as the occasion they honor—and just as unforgettable.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookies:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp almond extract (optional)

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

For the Royal Icing:

4 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

3 tbsp meringue powder

6 tbsp water (more as needed)

Gel food coloring (optional)

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Instructions

Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to the wet ingredients.
Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
Roll out dough to ¼ inch thick and cut into graduation-themed shapes.
Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes. Cool completely.
Make icing by combining sugar, meringue powder, and water. Adjust consistency as needed.
Divide icing into bowls, color as desired, and decorate cookies.
Let icing set overnight before stacking or packaging.

Notes

Chill the dough before baking to help cookies keep their shape.
Royal icing must dry completely before stacking.
Use parchment paper to prevent cookies from sticking during rolling or baking.
For a glossy finish, let decorated cookies air dry uncovered for at least 8 hours.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes per batch
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 145
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 1.5g
Cholesterol: 20mg