The joy of seeing (and smelling) a batch of cut-out sugar cookies on the table is unmatched. The next best feeling is perfecting an art-worthy sugar cookie that didn't require fancy tools to decorate.

You can dress up plain cookies to suit any occasion with decorations that can run from super-simple to as fancy as you want ...

For the cookies ... to cool completely before decorating. For the royal icing: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon ...