1-First Step: Gather and Mix IngredientsBegin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment for even baking prep time is about 10-15 minutes. In a bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until fluffy; for vegan adaptations, swap in vegan butter to keep the dough smooth and inclusive for your graduation themed cookies.

2-Second Step: Incorporate Wet and Dry ComponentsAdd 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, beating for 1-2 minutes until incorporated for gluten-free preferences, ensure your tools are clean now. In another bowl, whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then gradually combine with the wet mix to form dough, taking about 5 minutes and allowing for low-calorie tweaks like reducing sugar.

3-Third Step: Chill and Shape DoughWrap the dough and chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to firm up, which helps with cutting; once ready, roll it out to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Use cookie cutters for shapes related to graduation themes, like caps or diplomas this step takes 10 minutes and can include add-ins for dietary variations, such as nuts for extra protein in your graduation themed cookies.

4-Fourth Step: Bake and Initial CoolingArrange shapes on baking sheets and bake for 8-12 minutes until edges are golden, rotating halfway for consistency keep an eye after 8 minutes to avoid over-baking. For different needs, use gluten-free flour to ensure the cookies hold up well. After baking, let them cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before moving to a rack, solidifying the structure of your graduation themed cookies in about 15-20 minutes total.

5-Final Step: Decorate and ServeMix 2 cups powdered sugar with 2-4 tablespoons milk and gel-based food coloring to make icing, then decorate cooled cookies with themes, which takes 10-15 minutes to apply. Add sprinkles for flair and let icing set for 20-30 minutes before serving; adapt by using low-calorie sweeteners or vegan milk in the icing, making your graduation themed cookies ready for any celebration.