# What You'll Need:
→ For the Sugar Cookies
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
03 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
06 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
→ For the Gold Royal Icing
08 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
09 - 2 large egg whites or 4 tablespoons meringue powder + 1/4 cup water
10 - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Edible gold luster dust, as needed
13 - Clear alcohol (vodka) or lemon extract, a few drops for gold paint
# Method:
01 - In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract, and mix until fully incorporated.
02 - Whisk the flour and salt together in a separate bowl, then add the dry mixture gradually to the butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to preserve a tender crumb.
03 - Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a flat disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to firm for rolling.
04 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disc to 1/4 inch thickness and cut shapes with Taurus or zodiac cutters, rerolling scraps as needed.
05 - Transfer shapes to parchment-lined baking sheets spaced 1 inch apart and bake 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are just golden. Transfer to wire racks and cool completely before decorating.
06 - Beat egg whites (or rehydrated meringue powder) to soft peaks, then add sifted powdered sugar gradually and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add lemon juice and vanilla, then portion for outlining, flooding, and detail work.
07 - Outline each cookie with stiff icing, then flood with a slightly thinner consistency to fill. Allow flooded icing to set at least 2 hours or until dry to the touch before applying gold detailing.
08 - Combine edible gold luster dust with a few drops of clear alcohol or lemon extract to make a paint. Use a fine brush to apply symbols, constellations, and accents once icing is fully dry. Allow gold to dry completely.
09 - Arrange cooled, decorated cookies in a lined gift box with parchment, spacing to protect decorations; include a themed card or insert if desired.
