Pawpaw Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

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In honor of our favorite fruit, these pawpaw sugar cookies are a delightful treat for any occasion.

What You’ll Need:

• Measuring Cups & Spoons
• Rolling Pin with 1/4 Inch Bumpers
• Silicon Spatula
• Stand Mixer
• Large Silicon Baking Mat
• Icing Spatula
• Sheet Pan with Cooling Rack
• Parchment Paper Baking Sheets
• Sugar Stir Needle
• Piping Bags or Squeeze Applicator Bottles
• Stainless Steel Whisk

Pro Tip: Look for jellybean cookie cutters to create the pawpaw fruit-shaped sugar cookies. These are available to order at select Etsy shops.

Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

• • 3 Sticks Unsalted Butter at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 Cups Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 Egg Yolks
  • 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • 3 1/2 Cups Flour
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder

Directions:

• • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy
  • Add eggs and vanilla extract
  • Fold in the salt, flour, and baking powder
  • Chill the cookie dough in the refrigerator for 2 hours
  • When ready, preheat the oven to 350°F and set up baking sheets with parchment paper
  • Prepare baking mat and sprinkle extra flour on the surface
  • Roll out the cookie dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut out shapes
  • Bake for 12 minutes or until edges are a light golden brown

Transfer and rest on a baking rack until completely cool

Pawpaw Glaze

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Pawpaw Puree – or more to taste
• 3 Tablespoons Milk – or more as needed
• Optional: Orange Food Coloring Gel

Directions:

• Mix powdered sugar and pawpaw puree in a bowl
• Slowly add milk in batches and whisk by hand until smooth

Prepare “flood” icing consistency for filling – more details under “Decorating” below.

Royal Icing

Ingredients:

• • 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1-2 Teaspoons Matcha Green Tea Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Water – or more as needed
  • Optional: Green Food Coloring Gel

Directions:

• • Gently mix powdered sugar and meringue powder in a bowl
  • Add vanilla extract and slowly pour water in small batches
  • Mix in Matcha Green Tea Powder for an earthy color with extra flavor
  • Gently whisk by hand until the icing is smooth with no air bubbles

Prepare “piping” icing consistencies for outlining.

Keep reading!

Decorating

“Pawpaw Skin”

• • “Piping” icing consistency should be slightly stiff like toothpaste
  • Optional: Punch up with green food coloring gel 
  • Transfer icing to a piping bag or squeeze applicator bottle
  • Outline the edges of the sugar cookies and allow the icing to dry

“Pawpaw Pulp”

• • “Flood” icing consistency should be slightly runny like honey
  • Optional: Add a few drops of orange food coloring gel
  • Transfer icing to a piping bag or squeeze applicator bottle
  • Completely fill the area inside the green icing barrier on the sugar cookies
  • Use a sugar stir needle to smooth any bumps or creases

“Pawpaw Seeds”

• • Option 1: Roll Chocolate Fondant and cut small ovals from Cake Decorating Tools
  • Option 2: Pipe with melted Semi-Sweet Chocolate
  • Option 3: Draw the seeds with Food Coloring Markers or Icing Writing Gel

When stored in an airtight container, the cookies can stay fresh for up to one week in the refrigerator or three months in the freezer.

Enjoy!