Day 7: Seven Swans-a-Swimming (Sugar Cookie Swans with Whipped Cream Feathers)

Skill Level: Intermediate Special Utensils: Cookie cutters (swan-shaped or round)

Ingredients:

• For the Sugar Cookies:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the Royal Icing:

  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 5-6 tablespoons water
  • Food coloring (optional)

• For the Whipped Cream Feathers:

  • 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Make the Sugar Cookies:

   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
   • In a separate bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.  
      
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
   • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.  
      
   • Cut out swan shapes using a cookie cutter, or use round cookie cutters and cut out swan shapes with a knife.
   • Place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
   • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
   • Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.  
      

2. Make the Royal Icing:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth and glossy.
   • Divide the icing into smaller bowls and add food coloring to create different colors, if desired.

3. Decorate the Cookies:

   • Use the royal icing to outline the swan shapes and fill them in with different colors.
   • Let the icing dry completely.

4. Make the Whipped Cream Feathers:

   • In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
   • Pipe the whipped cream onto the cookies to create feathers.

Tips:

• For a more realistic swan look, use different shades of blue and white icing.
• You can use a piping bag with a small round tip to pipe the whipped cream feathers.

Enjoy your beautiful and elegant swan cookies!