Description
Iced Gems are mini bite-sized biscuits topped with colorful swirls of hard royal icing. These nostalgic treats are crunchy, sweet, and perfect for parties, gifting, or a fun homemade snack.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1 egg yolk (optional, for richness)
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1 egg white (for icing)
- Food coloring (various colors)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and egg yolk (if using), then mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture.
- Add milk slowly until a soft dough forms. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut small rounds (around 1 inch) using a piping tip or small cutter and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
- To make icing, whisk powdered sugar and egg white until stiff peaks form. Divide and tint with food coloring.
- Pipe small swirls onto each cooled biscuit using a star tip. Let the icing dry and harden completely (about 4–6 hours).
Notes
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week to keep them crisp.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant icing colors without thinning the mixture.
- You can also flavor the icing with extracts like lemon or almond for a unique twist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 iced gems
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: iced gems, mini biscuits, royal icing cookies, british snacks, colorful cookies, kids treats