Keto Sugar Cookies with Icing: A Deliciously Guilt-Free Treat

If you've ever craved the classic Lofthouse cookie with its thick, soft texture and dreamy pink frosting, you know the feeling of nostalgia mixed with a twinge of guilt. Packed with sugar and carbs, these iconic cookies are a treat best enjoyed in moderation. But what if you could indulge in that same delightful experience without the sugar rush and carb overload? Enter keto sugar cookies with icing: a perfect solution for holidays, birthdays, or any time your sweet tooth demands satisfaction.

The Magic of Keto-Friendly Ingredients

The secret to these guilt-free goodies lies in carefully selected ingredients that mimic the texture and flavor of traditional sugar cookies while keeping the carb count low.

• Almond Flour: This is the backbone of the recipe, lending a soft, slightly crumbly texture reminiscent of classic sugar cookies. Blanched almond flour is recommended for its fine consistency, which closely resembles wheat flour. For keto sugar cookies with really good texture, make sure you use a finely ground almond flour.
• Coconut Flour: A small amount of coconut flour balances the almond flour, absorbing moisture and providing structure to the cookies. Alternatively, you can replace the coconut flour with almond flour, using about four times the amount.
• Powdered Sugar-Free Sweetener: Essential for achieving that "melt-in-your-mouth" sweetness without the sugar. Powdered sweeteners blend seamlessly into the dough and frosting, avoiding the gritty texture that granulated sweeteners can sometimes create. A mix of Swerve Confectioners and BochaSweet for the icing is a great option.
• Baking Powder: This leavening agent gives the cookies their soft rise and light texture.
• Butter: The source of richness and flavor. Softened butter creams together with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and luscious dough.
• Eggs: These bind the dough together, contributing to a soft, fluffy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla rounds out the flavor profile, making these cookies taste like a classic sugar cookie.

Crafting the Perfect Keto Sugar Cookie

Making these cookies is a straightforward process, with a few key steps to ensure success.

Preparing the Dough

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, powdered sweetener, baking powder, and salt.
2. Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the softened butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir until a dough forms.
3. Chill the Dough (Optional): If the dough feels too soft, chill it in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to handle.
4. Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough out to about 1/3-inch thickness on a work surface dusted lightly with coconut flour. Using cookie cutters of your choice, cut out cookies and lift carefully with a small, offset spatula or knife. Place on the prepared baking sheets and freeze for 30 minutes. Gather up the scraps and re-roll your dough, to cut out as many cookies as possible. Alternatively, roll the dough into evenly-sized balls. Place them on a prepared baking sheet and flatten each ball slightly with your fingers.
5. Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Let them cool completely before frosting.

Whipping Up the Sugar-Free Frosting

1. Cream the Butter and Sweetener: Beat the softened butter and powdered sweetener until smooth and fluffy.
2. Add Flavor and Color: Add a splash of vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor. Incorporate food coloring if desired.

Baking Tips for Keto Sugar Cookie Perfection

• Don’t Overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft. Overbaking will result in a crunchy, less desirable texture.
• Customize the Frosting: Experiment with different extracts and food colorings to create unique and festive cookies.
• Use a Silicone Baking Mat: For that perfect pale golden sugar cookie color, use a silicone baking mat. It protects the cookies from the heat better than parchment paper.
• Allow to Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool completely before decorating them. If they are still warm, the icing will melt and run off the cookies! Also let them cool completely before attempting to freeze them.

Royal Icing for Exquisite Decoration

For those who want to take their keto sugar cookie decorating to the next level, royal icing is the perfect choice. It's thin enough to create beautiful patterns and hardens as it dries, providing a professional finish.

Making Keto Royal Icing

1. Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the powdered sweetener (a combination of Swerve and BochaSweet is recommended) and egg white powder.
2. Add Water and Vanilla: Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking in between, until the desired consistency is achieved. Whisk in the vanilla extract. The icing should be slightly drippy but not runny.
3. Color the Icing: Divide the icing into separate bowls and add food coloring as desired. Natural food coloring options are available for more subtle pastel shades.

Decorating with Royal Icing

1. Outline the Cookies: Use a piping bag to create outlines of shapes on the cooled cookies.
2. Flood the Cookies: "Flood" the cookies by zig-zagging lines of icing within the outlines.
3. Add Details: Get creative with additional icing decorations, such as dots or swirls of different colors.
4. Let the Icing Harden: Allow the royal icing to harden completely overnight before storing the cookies.

Storing and Freezing Your Keto Sugar Cookies

• Storing: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving for the best texture.
• Freezing: Unfrosted cookies can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Frosted cookies can also be frozen, but the frosting may lose its texture slightly. Allow the royal icing to harden completely overnight. Simply lay all the decorated cookies out on cookie sheets and set in a cool, dry location. Once the icing is hard, you can layer the cookies on top of one another without risk of smearing the decorations.

Nutritional Information

This keto sugar cookie recipe typically contains around 2.4g net carbs per serving (3-4 small cookies), depending on the size of the cookies and specific ingredients used. Adding sugar-free frosting contributes a minimal amount of additional carbs.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Variations and Customizations

• Extracts: Experiment with different extracts like almond or lemon for unique flavor profiles.
• Nuts: Add chopped nuts to the dough for added texture and flavor.
• Dairy-Free: Replace the butter with dairy-free butter for a dairy-free option.
• Allulose: As long as you don't leave out the xanthan gum, these can also be made with allulose as the sweetener. The benefit of allulose is that it has ZERO aftertaste!

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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