Save to Pinterest Celebrate your graduate with these delightful sugar cookies, topped with a simple fondant mortarboard hat for a festive touch. Perfect for parties or gifting!
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These graduation cookies bring celebration and sweetness together in a fun and elegant way. The simple sugar cookie base pairs beautifully with the fondant mortarboard decorations, allowing you to showcase your creativity and school spirit.
Ingredients
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- For the Sugar Cookies
2 1/2 cups (315 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract - For the Fondant Mortarboard
8 oz (225 g) black fondant
1 oz (30 g) yellow fondant (for tassels)
Cornstarch (for dusting and rolling) - For Decorating
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
1–2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 3. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- 4. Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined.
- 5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until incorporated.
- 6. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into 2 1/2-inch round or square shapes.
- 7. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are just golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- 8. While cookies cool, roll black fondant to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out 24 small squares (about 1 1/4-inch each) for mortarboard tops. Roll 24 small cylinders (about 1/2-inch long) for mortarboard bases.
- 9. Roll yellow fondant into thin ropes and cut into 1-inch pieces for tassels. Shape as desired.
- 10. For icing, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- 11. Decorate each cooled cookie: Use icing to attach a fondant square in the center. Place a fondant cylinder under the square as the base. Use a dab of icing to attach a yellow tassel to one corner.
- 12. Let decorations set for 20–30 minutes before serving or packaging.
Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung
Take care when rolling out the dough to an even 1/4-inch thickness to ensure consistent baking. Dust surfaces lightly with cornstarch to prevent the fondant from sticking without altering its color or texture. Cool cookies completely before decorating to avoid melting the fondant.
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Varianten und Anpassungen
Customize the fondant colors to match your graduate's school colors or personal favorite hues. For a quicker process, substitute store-bought sugar cookie dough and use pre-colored fondant. Additionally, gluten-free or dairy-free substitutions can be made to accommodate dietary needs.
Serviervorschläge
Arrange these cookies on a festive platter for graduation parties or wrap them individually as charming favors. Pair with a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful celebration treat that guests will appreciate.
Save to Pinterest With simple steps and thoughtful touches, these graduation cookies make memorable celebratory treats that bring joy to both the baker and the guest of honor. Enjoy crafting these charming cookies to mark a special milestone in style.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of flour is best for these cookies?
All-purpose flour provides the perfect balance of texture and structure for tender yet sturdy cookies suitable for decorating.
- → How do I shape the fondant mortarboard hats?
Roll black fondant thinly and cut into small squares for the top, and roll into tiny cylinders for the base. Yellow fondant is shaped into tassels to complete the look.
- → Can I store these cookies after decorating?
Yes, store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and decoration quality.
- → What’s the recommended baking temperature and time?
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, until the edges turn just golden, ensuring a soft center.
- → Are there any common allergens in these cookies?
These contain wheat, eggs, and milk. For alternatives, consider gluten-free flour, dairy-free butter, or egg replacers.
- → Can I use store-bought dough for convenience?
Absolutely, using pre-made sugar cookie dough and colored fondant can save preparation time while preserving the look.
