Unicorn Cookies

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients. Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare baking sheets by covering with parchment paper.

2. Step 2

   In a large bowl, sift together flour and baking powder. Set aside.

3. Step 3

   In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, stopping to scrape down the bowl once while mixing. Add the egg and mix until pale and fluffy. 

4. Step 4

   Add the vanilla extract and salt. Mix to combine. 

5. Step 5

   Slowly add the flour mixture, 1 cup at a time, mixing each time until incorporated. 

6. Step 6

   Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

7. Step 7

   Roll out onto a lightly floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to cut into unicorn shapes. Place on prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. 

8. Step 8

   Remove to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating.

9. Step 9

   For the icing, in a large mixing bowl whisk together water and meringue powder until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and whisk again.

10. Step 10

    Add the powdered sugar all at once and mix on medium speed for 10 minutes or until thick.

11. Step 11

    Place 2/3 of the icing in one bowl and keep it white. Divide the remaining icing into 6 other smaller bowls. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to dye each of the bowls, pink, purple, blue, yellow, and green. When the desired colors have been achieved, place each color in a separate piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

12. Step 12

    Pipe the white icing into all of the cookies first. Start by outlining the edge of the cookie and then fill in the center.

13. Step 13

    Brush edible gold shimmer or glitter on the horn of each unicorn.

14. Step 14

    Use the pink icing to fill in the ears, to make small dots on the cheeks, and to make one pink flower in the center of the forehead.

15. Step 15

    Use the purple icing to make a flower to the left of the pink flower.

16. Step 16

    Use the blue icing to make two small flowers to the right of the pink flower. 

17. Step 17

    Add miscellaneous yellow dots around the flowers.

18. Step 18

    Add miscellaneous green dots around the flowers.

19. Step 19

    Once the white icing has set, use the edible pen to draw on eyes and eyelashes. (To quickly set, the cookies can be placed in the freezer.)

20. Step 20

    Serve and enjoy!