- Egg whites (3 medium, fresh and at room temperature)
- White vinegar or lemon juice (1 tsp)
- Cream of tartar (1/4 tsp)
- Food coloring (green for baseball fields, white for bases)
- Optional Additives:
- Chocolate chips (for a chocolate twist in cookies)
- Peanut butter (for a peanut butter cookie base)
Steps
### Baseball Cookies with Royal Icing: A Fun Baking Project
Baseball-themed cookies can be a delightful treat during sports events or just as a fun activity. Here's how to make baseball-shaped cookies adorned with royal icing in an SEO-friendly format.
#### Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (optional, for rolling)
- Royal icing ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons meringue powder or powdered egg whites
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoons water
#### Equipment Needed:
- Cookie cutters in the shape of a baseball
- Rolling pin
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Clean brush for royal icing
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
#### 1. Prepare the Dough (45 minutes)
- **Keywords:** cookie dough, mixing ingredients
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract and mix well.
- Sift in flour, baking powder, and salt into the mixture. Mix thoroughly to form a soft dough.
#### 2. Roll Out the Dough (15 minutes)
- **Keywords:** cookie rolling, cutting shapes
- Divide the dough into manageable portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion until it is about 1/4-inch thick.
- Use baseball-shaped cutters to stamp out cookies and place them on parchment-lined baking sheets.
#### 3. Bake (20-25 minutes)
- **Keywords:** baking time, oven temperature
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the baking sheet in the center rack of the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool completely on wire racks before icing.
#### 4. Prepare Royal Icing (30 minutes)
- **Keywords:** royal icing, mixing ingredients
- In a clean bowl, combine meringue powder and water until smooth. Gradually add confectioners' sugar while beating with an electric mixer until it reaches a piping consistency.
- Place the icing in a pastry bag fitted with a round tip.
#### 5. Frosting the Cookies (20 minutes)
- **Keywords:** decorating cookies, royal icing
- Pipe baseball stitches on the cookies using a small, round tip. For a more intricate design, use a larger tip for the seams and smaller ones for stitching.
- Let the icing harden completely before handling or serving.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve better mixing results.
- For a professional look, practice piping on scrap paper until you find your desired style and thickness.
- Store leftover royal icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
By following these steps, you can create delightful baseball cookies that not only look amazing but also taste great! Perfect for any sports fan or as a fun project with children. Enjoy crafting your baseball-themed treats!
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This structured guide includes relevant keywords and SEO-friendly formatting, making it easy for both novice bakers and seasoned cooks to follow along.