Hellobee Boards

The sugar cookie recipe I use is a secret family recipe, so I can't help you there

but frosting wise, I'd make it. It will be much cheaper. Just make sure you make royal icing is you want a smooth look like in that photo. It has a steeper learning curve than regular frosting, but once you get the hang of it it's easy and fast.

Check out http://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/
She had good go-to sugar cookie recipe that doesn't spread and lots of tutorials on how to use royal icing (with recipes!).

I'm a pastry chef and always use Alton Brown's recipe but increase the baking powder to 1 tsp. they are sturdy tasty and easy to work with.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/sugar-cookies-recipe.html

I also use the Alton Brown recipe. I'd make a homemade royal frosting - it's easy, and I think it tastes way better!

I like the joyofbaking.com recipe. Most rolled sugar cookie recipes will work better if you chill the shapes after you cut them and before you bake them.

@regberadaisy: yep you can definitely bake, freeze, then ice later. I would ice them up to 2-3 days before the party. I agree with @MrsSRS: about freezing before baking. I usually roll out dough between 2 sheets of parchment, chill in freezer until hard, then stamp out shapes, and bake - but if they start getting too warm, pop the dough back in the freezer for 10 mins after you stamp but before you transfer to the pan. Good luck!

@regberadaisy: just until they are chilled and firm. Depends on the temp in your house but maybe 30 mins? If you want to do more steps in advance, you can also make the dough, wrap in plastic wrap and then chill in the fridge for up to 3 days. Then roll out and proceed.

I've found LilaLoa's recipe spreads much less than SugarBelle's. http://www.lilaloa.com/2013/02/vanilla-20-sugar-cookie-recipe.html?m=1 Also, her chocolate recipe is great if you'd rather make it a little different. http://www.lilaloa.com/2011/03/end-all-for-chocolate-cookies-recipe.html?m=1 I make my own royal icing with this recipe, though I like to add vanilla. http://www.hanielas.com/2010/04/royal-icing.html?m=1 I've had great success with these; they look good and people always eat them up. I don't even like sugar cookies and I LOVE that recipe.