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Mahjong Tile Sugar Cookies – Fun & Easy Mahjong Dessert


  • Author: Chef Greenie
  • Total Time: 30 minutes + decorating time
  • Yield: 24 Mahjong tile cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Bring the thrill of Mahjong to your dessert table with these Mahjong Tile Sugar Cookies! These delightful cookies are buttery, crisp, and decorated to resemble Mahjong tiles, making them a perfect treat for game night. With vanilla-flavored sugar cookies and a smooth royal icing, these Mahjong desserts are both delicious and visually stunning! Whether you’re hosting a Mahjong party or looking for a fun baking project, this recipe is easy to follow and guaranteed to impress.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Sugar Cookies:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder

For the Royal Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons meringue powder
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Red, green, and black food coloring

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cookie Dough

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  2. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing well.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

  1. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
  2. Cut into rectangle shapes (about 1.5 x 2 inches) to resemble Mahjong tiles.
  3. Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
  5. Let cookies cool completely before decorating.

Step 3: Prepare the Royal Icing

  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth.
  2. Divide icing into three bowls and tint each with red, green, and black food coloring.
  3. Transfer icing to piping bags with fine tips.

Step 4: Decorate the Mahjong Tiles

  1. Outline each cookie with white royal icing and let it set for 10 minutes.
  2. Fill the inside with white icing and let it dry completely.
  3. Use the red, green, and black icing to carefully draw Mahjong symbols.
  4. Allow icing to fully set before serving (about 1-2 hours).

Notes

🎨 Decorating Tips:

  • If you’re new to piping, practice on parchment paper before decorating the cookies.
  • Use a fine-tipped food coloring pen instead of icing for more precise Mahjong tile designs.

📌 Storage:

  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • Cookies can be frozen (undecorated) for up to 3 months.

🥥 Flavor Variations:

  • Substitute vanilla extract with coconut or lemon extract for a unique twist!
  • Add matcha powder to the icing for a Mahjong-inspired green tea flavor.

🔄 Dietary Adjustments:

  • Gluten-Free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute.
  • Dairy-Free? Swap butter for vegan butter and adjust icing consistency with plant-based milk.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired, Party Treats

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: ~150 kcal
  • Sugar: 12g
  • Sodium: 40mg
  • Fat: 6g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1.5g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg