# What you'll need:
→ Sugar Cookies
01 - All-purpose flour — 2 1/2 cups
02 - Unsalted butter, softened — 1 cup (2 sticks)
03 - Granulated sugar — 3/4 cup
04 - Large egg — 1
05 - Pure vanilla extract — 2 teaspoons
06 - Almond extract (optional) — 1/2 teaspoon
07 - Salt — 1/2 teaspoon
→ Gold Royal Icing
08 - Powdered (confectioners') sugar, sifted — 3 cups
09 - Large egg whites — 2, or 4 tablespoons meringue powder plus 1/4 cup water
10 - Fresh lemon juice — 1 teaspoon
11 - Vanilla extract — 1/2 teaspoon
12 - Edible gold luster dust — as needed for gilding
13 - Clear alcohol (vodka) or extra lemon extract — a few drops for thinning/painting
# How to make it:
01 - In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla and almond extract (if using) and beat until incorporated.
02 - Whisk the all-purpose flour and salt in a separate bowl, then gradually add the dry mixture to the butter mixture until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half, flatten each portion into a disc, wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
03 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface roll one dough disc to about 1/4 inch thickness. Keep the second disc refrigerated until ready to roll.
04 - Use Taurus or zodiac cutters to stamp shapes and transfer cutouts to parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between cookies.
05 - Bake cookies 10–12 minutes, until the edges are just golden. Remove to wire racks and cool completely before decorating.
06 - Beat the egg whites (or rehydrated meringue powder) to soft peaks. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla. Divide icing into portions and adjust consistencies for outlining and flooding; transfer to piping bags.
07 - Outline each cookie then flood with thinner icing. Tap sheets gently to settle air bubbles and allow icing to set until firm to the touch, about 2 hours at room temperature.
08 - Mix edible gold luster dust with a few drops of vodka or lemon extract to form a paint. Once the flood icing is fully dry, use a fine brush to paint Taurus symbols, constellations or accents. Allow gold to dry completely before handling.
09 - Arrange decorated cookies in a gift box lined with parchment. Add optional Taurus card or themed insert and ensure cookies are fully dry before closing the box.
