# What You'll Need:
→ Sugar Cookies
01 - 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
→ Fondant Mortarboard
08 - 8 ounces black fondant
09 - 1 ounce yellow fondant for tassels
10 - Cornstarch for dusting and rolling
→ Icing Glaze
11 - 1 cup powdered sugar
12 - 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
13 - 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Beat in egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing only until incorporated.
06 - Roll dough to 0.25-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 2.5-inch round or square shapes using cookie cutters.
07 - Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Roll black fondant to 0.125-inch thickness. Cut 24 small squares approximately 1.25 inches each for mortarboard caps. Roll 24 small cylinders approximately 0.5 inches long for mortarboard bases.
09 - Roll yellow fondant into thin ropes and cut into 1-inch pieces. Shape tassels as desired.
10 - Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable consistency is achieved.
11 - For each cooled cookie, use icing to secure a fondant square in the center. Position a fondant cylinder beneath the square as the base. Attach a yellow tassel to one corner using a small amount of icing.
12 - Allow decorated cookies to rest for 20 to 30 minutes before serving or packaging to ensure fondant decorations set firmly.
