In a large bowl beat in the bowl with hand mixer butter and sugar until smooth
Add vanilla extract and egg
Add dry ingredients a little at a time. When dough will get stiff finish kneading with your wet hands.
Chill dough 3 hours before rolling.
Roll out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4" thick and cut with cookie cutters. Transfer cookies to cookie sheet with silicone liner.
Before baking, place the baking sheet of cookie cutouts in the fridge and let chill for 5-10 minutes. This is so the cookies will keep their form and not spread out while baking.
Bake about 8-10 minutes.
Let cookies cool slightly on cookie sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a large bowl combine confectioners' sugar and meringue powder.
Add water, one spoon at a time. Add vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until mixture is shiny. Turn mixture to high speed and beat until 5-7 minutes. Add food coloring, if needed.
Transfer icing to squeeze bottles. Store in refrigerator for up to 7 days.
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Keyword baking, birthday cookies, kids birthday, royal icing, sugar cookies, valentines day