# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
09 - Blue gel food coloring, several drops as needed
→ Royal Icing
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
12 - 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
13 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
14 - Blue gel food coloring, several drops as needed
→ Speckling
15 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
16 - 2–3 teaspoons water
17 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
# How To Make It:
01 - Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until blended.
02 - Beat unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Mix in the egg, vanilla, and optional almond extract until fully incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until dough forms.
05 - Tint the dough with blue gel food coloring, mixing gently to achieve a pale blue shade.
06 - Divide dough into two portions, flatten each into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
07 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
08 - Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into oval or egg shapes with cookie cutters.
09 - Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are set but not browned. Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10 - Whisk sifted powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla until smooth and spreadable. Tint with blue gel food coloring to achieve pale blue.
11 - Spread or pipe royal icing onto cooled cookies. Allow icing to set for 15 minutes.
12 - Mix cocoa powder, water, and vanilla extract into a thin, smooth mixture. Dip a clean food-safe brush in the mixture and flick bristles gently over cookies to create speckles.
13 - Let decorated cookies dry completely before storing or serving.
