Celebrate the 4th of July in style with these delightful homemade cookies. Featuring festive shapes and patriotic colors, these cookies are perfect for your holiday gatherings or as a fun baking project with family.
Ingredients:
For the Shortbread Cookies:
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened
- Powdered Sugar: 1/2 cup
- Pure Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups
- Sea Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
For the Decoration:
- Royal Icing (Flood Consistency): 1 batch (about 3 cups)
- Red and Blue Gel Food Coloring
- Edible Star Glitter (optional)
Instructions:
Make the Shortbread Cookies:
- Assemble the Dough:
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour and salt, mixing just until the dough forms a ball.
- Chill the Dough:
- Split the dough into two halves, shape each into a disc, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare for Baking:
- Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Cut Out Cookies:
- Roll out one disc of dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out cookies using star and rectangle shapes. Place on prepared trays. Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut until all dough is used.
- Chill and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- Chill the cut cookies for 30 minutes.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges are slightly golden. Cool on trays for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorate the 4th of July Cookies:
- Prepare the Icing:
- Prepare royal icing in white, red, and blue using food coloring. Place icings in piping bags fitted with small round tips.
- Decorate the Stars:
- Outline and fill the star cookies with blue icing. Smooth the surface by gently tapping the cookie. Decorate with star glitter or white icing accents, if desired.
- Decorate the Flag Cookies:
- Pipe alternating stripes of red and white icing to create the flag’s stripes on the rectangle cookies.
- Final Touches:
- Allow the icing to set fully, approximately 2 hours, before serving or storing.
Storage:
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for extended freshness, up to 4 days.
Conclusion:
These 4th of July cookies are not just a treat to eat but also a joy to make. They add a burst of patriotic color and delicious flavor to any celebration. Enjoy sharing these lovely cookies at your next holiday event, and watch them disappear as fast as the fireworks light up the sky! 🌟