How to Paint Sugar Cookies

1. Bake your sugar cookies. Let them cool completely.

2. Make the royal icing. Here's a basic royal icing recipe:

> - 3 cups confectioners' sugar

>- 3-4 tablespoons meringue powder

>- 6-8 tablespoons water

>- Food coloring (optional)

_Instructions:

In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar and meringue powder. Slowly add water until the icing is thick but still runny. Add food coloring if desired. Royal icing should be the consistency of toothpaste that holds its shape when piped._

3. Transfer the icing to a piping bag. Fit a piping bag with a small round tip. Fill the bag with the icing.

4. Start painting your cookies! Hold the piping bag with your dominant hand and the cookie with your non-dominant hand. Start by outlining the cookie with icing. Then, fill in the outlined area. You can also use a small brush to paint details on the cookies.

5. Let the icing dry completely. This will take several hours or overnight.

6. Enjoy your beautifully decorated sugar cookies!

Here are some tips for painting sugar cookies:

- Use a steady hand and move the piping bag slowly to create clean lines.

- If the icing is too thick, add a little water to thin it out.

- If the icing is too thin, add a little more confectioners' sugar to thicken it up.

- Experiment with different colors and techniques to create your unique cookie designs.

- Have fun! Painting sugar cookies is a great way to relax and express your creativity.