Countdown Cookie Pops

Make the Vegan Royal Icing!

1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the powdered sugar   and chickpea liquid until smooth and thick, 4 to 5 minutes.
2. Beat in the vanilla, almond extract, and salt until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes.

Let's get started!

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Beat in the lemon zest and juice.
4. On low speed, beat in the flour mixture until combined.
5. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 325F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a ½ inch thickness. Cut out 12 cookies using the round cookie cutter and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
8. Insert a lollipop stick halfway into each cookie.
9. Freeze the cookies for 10 minutes.
10. Bake until the cookies are firm to the touch but not browned at the edges, about 10 minutes.
11. Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Time to decorate!

1. Make the vegan royal icing. Divide it between 2 bowls. Tint one bowl black and leave the other white. Scoop the black icing into a decorating bag fitted with a #3 tip.
2. Outline the cookies with the white icing, then fill in the centers. Let the icing harden for about 1 hour.
3. Pipe a circle of white icing at the edge of the cookies. While the icing is still wet, sprinkle on the gold sanding sugar.
4. Pipe the black icing onto the cookies to create the face and hands of a clock. While the black icing is still wet, place a gold pearl in the center of the clock.
5. Let the cookies set for 1 hour before serving.