# What You'll Need:
→ Sugar Cookies
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 cup 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 salt
→ 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 lemon juice
11 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Gel food coloring, optional
13 - Edible gold luster dust, as needed
14 - Clear alcohol (vodka) or lemon extract, a few drops for gold paint
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract (if using) until incorporated.
02 - Whisk the all-purpose flour and salt together in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms; avoid overmixing.
03 - Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm for rolling.
04 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly flour a work surface and roll chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
05 - Use Taurus- or zodiac-themed cutters to cut shapes, transfer cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet spacing about 1 inch apart.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
07 - Beat the egg whites (or reconstituted meringue powder) to soft peaks, then gradually add sifted powdered sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add lemon juice and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
08 - Divide the icing into portions and tint with gel colors as desired. Reserve a portion of white icing for mixing with gold. Transfer icings to piping bags fitted with appropriate tips.
09 - Outline cookie shapes with a slightly thicker icing, then flood interiors with a thinner consistency. Allow flooded icing to set at room temperature for about 2 hours until firm.
10 - Mix edible gold luster dust with a few drops of clear alcohol or lemon extract to create a paint. Once icing is fully dry, use a fine brush to apply gold accents, Taurus symbols or constellation details. Allow gold paint to dry completely.
11 - Arrange decorated cookies neatly in a gift box layered with parchment. Add a themed card or insert as desired and allow all decorations to cure before sealing the box.
