Food & Cooking Recipes Dessert & Treats Recipes Cookie Recipes Noah's Ark Sugar Cookies 3.2 (17) 3 Reviews By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on March 25, 2020 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Prep Time: 50 mins Total Time: 6 hrs 25 mins Yield: 2 dozen We paired animal cookies two by two for an edible menagerie in these aptly named Noah's Ark Sugar Cookies. Ingredients 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus more for surface 1 teaspoon baking powder Salt 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract Royal Icing for Noah's Ark Sugar Cookies Sanding sugars, for sprinkling Directions Sift flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Beat butter and granulated sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture, and beat until combined. Divide dough in half. Shape each piece into a disk, and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Let dough stand at room temperature until soft enough to roll out, about 10 minutes. Roll out dough to a 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Add more flour if needed to prevent dough from sticking. Cut out animal shapes using cookie cutters, and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Freeze until very firm, about 15 minutes. Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges just begin to brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer to wire racks, and let cool completely. Transfer royal icing to a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip. Pipe desired designs onto cookies, and immediately sprinkle with sanding sugars. Shake off excess, and let stand until set, about 3 hours. Cook's Notes Decorated cookies can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week. Print