Watermelon Sugar Cookies

Watermelon Sugar Cookies are a fun twist on a classic dessert that perfectly captures the essence of summer. Imagine biting into a soft, delicious cookie that reminds you of warm days spent by the pool or family picnics in the park. With a delightful watermelon flavor and a playful green and pink decoration, these cookies are not just tasty but visually striking too. They bring a splash of color and joy to any gathering, making them an awesome treat for kids and adults alike. Plus, the process of baking and decorating these cookies can be a fantastic way to spend time with loved ones, sparking creativity and laughter in the kitchen. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s create these irresistible Watermelon Sugar Cookies!

Jump to:

• Why This Recipe Works
• Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Sugar Cookies
• Ingredients for Watermelon Sugar Cookies
• Preparing the Dough
• Whisk Dry Ingredients
• Cream Butter and Sugar
• Combine Wet Ingredients
• Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients
• Chilling and Rolling the Dough
• Divide and Roll Dough
• Chill the Dough
• Baking the Cookies
• Prepare for Baking
• Cut Out Cookies
• Bake the Cookies
• Decorating the Watermelon Sugar Cookies
• Prepare the Royal Icing
• Pipe the Icing
• Set the Icing
• Serving Suggestions
• Tips for Success
• Variations
• FAQs
• More Easy Desserts Recipes:
• 📖 Recipe Card

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe stands out because it captures the nostalgic flavors of summer with a delicious twist that everyone loves. The balance between a soft, chewy cookie and the fun watermelon theme makes this an engaging baking project. You’ll find that it combines basic baking techniques, which are easy for anyone to grasp, with fun decorating ideas that let your creativity shine. The added use of royal icing doesn’t just enhance the visual appeal; it also amplifies the overall taste, making each cookie a delightful experience for your taste buds.

Why You’ll Love This Watermelon Sugar Cookies

These watermelon-themed delights are perfect for summer gatherings, barbecues, and picnics. They’re simple to make with easy-to-find ingredients, which means you won’t be stressing about complicated steps or exotic items. What’s more, baking these cookies is a blast for both kids and adults, turning your kitchen into a creative space. With just a little bit of effort, you can whip up a batch of cookies that bring smiles and joy. Just picture serving these beauties at a celebration – they never fail to impress!

Ingredients for Watermelon Sugar Cookies

• 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• Optional for added flavor: 1/4 teaspoon watermelon flavor
• For Decorating:
• Royal Icing or Easy Glaze Icing
• Green & pink gel food coloring
• 1/3 cup (60g) mini chocolate chips

Preparing the Dough

Whisk Dry Ingredients

First, let’s get those dry ingredients ready. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is pretty straightforward and essential for creating the perfect cookie dough, so set the mixture aside for later.

Cream Butter and Sugar

Now, it’s time to cream the butter and sugar. Grab a large bowl and either a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat the softened butter on medium-high speed until it’s nice and smooth, which takes about a minute. Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to mix until it’s creamy, approximately two minutes. This process helps to incorporate air, resulting in a light texture for your cookies!

Combine Wet Ingredients

Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, and optional watermelon flavor to your buttery mix. Beat on high speed until everything is well incorporated, which should take about a minute. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure all the ingredients are mixed evenly.

Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

It’s time to bring everything together! Gradually add your dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. If you notice the dough is too soft, don’t worry! Incorporate a tablespoon of flour to achieve a consistency that’s just right for rolling.

Chilling and Rolling the Dough

Divide and Roll Dough

Now that your dough is ready, split it into two equal portions. Roll each piece out on parchment paper or a lightly floured silicone mat to about a 1/4 inch thick. Keeping an even thickness helps your cookies bake uniformly, so take your time with this step!

Chill the Dough

Once rolled, stack the dough between pieces of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours, or up to two days if you want to plan ahead. If you decide to chill it longer, remember to cover the top dough piece to keep it fresh!

Baking the Cookies

Prepare for Baking

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, ensuring a sticky-free experience when transferring those beautiful cookies.

Cut Out Cookies

Once your dough is chilled and firm, remove one piece from the refrigerator. Using a 3-inch circle cookie cutter, cut out circles and re-roll any leftover dough for more cookies. Repeat with the second dough piece, cutting each circle in half to create watermelon slices.

Bake the Cookies

Arrange those adorable watermelon cookies on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Don’t forget to rotate the baking sheet halfway through baking for even results! Once done, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorating the Watermelon Sugar Cookies

Prepare the Royal Icing

Decorating time is the best part! If you’re using royal icing or glaze icing, follow the instructions for preparation. Spoon half of the icing into a separate bowl and tint it pink with a few drops of gel food coloring. Tint half of the remaining icing green, leaving the rest white for that fun watermelon look.

Pipe the Icing

Using a piping bag fitted with round icing tip #5, outline the green icing around the bottom of each cookie. Pop them in the fridge for about 15 minutes to set. After that, pipe the white icing above the green and refrigerate again for another 15 minutes. Finally, fill in the remaining space with pink icing and top with mini chocolate chips to resemble watermelon seeds – how cute is that?

Set the Icing

Let the icing dry completely at room temperature for about two hours. Once your cookies are decorated, you can store both decorated and plain cookies covered at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Serving Suggestions

Ready to impress your guests? Serve these vibrant Watermelon Sugar Cookies at summer parties or casual get-togethers. Pair with a refreshing drink like lemonade or iced tea to complement their sweetness. Trust me; they’ll be a hit!

Tips for Success

A few tips to ensure perfect cookies: Make sure your butter is softened for that easy creaming with sugar, as it makes a difference. Use gel food coloring for brighter and more accurate coloring that pops. Allow your cookies to cool completely before decorating; this prevents the icing from melting and preserves those cute designs.

Variations

Want to experiment? You can swap out the watermelon flavor for other fruity flavors like strawberry or lemon for a twist. Think about using different shapes for the cookies to match various occasions, like hearts for Valentine’s Day or stars for parties.

FAQs

1. Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked cookie dough wrapped in plastic wrap for up to two months. This makes baking in bulk super easy!

2. How should I store the decorated cookies?
Store your decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for freshness. Keeping them sealed helps maintain their great taste and texture.

3. Can I use store-bought icing?
Absolutely! If you’re in a pinch for time, store-bought icing can speed up the process. Just make sure it has a good taste and texture.

4. What can I use instead of royal icing?
If royal icing isn’t your thing, you can use simple glaze icing or even fondant for decorating. The choice is yours!

5. How can I achieve a thicker icing for decorating?
To get a thicker icing that holds its shape, gradually add powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency while ensuring it’s still manageable for piping.

These Watermelon Sugar Cookies are perfect for sweetening up your summer festivities while providing a delightful baking experience. They not only taste amazing but also serve as a visual treat that brings joy to anyone lucky enough to enjoy them. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or treating yourself, these cookies are sure to become a new favorite!

More Easy Desserts Recipes:

• Strawberry Lemonade Cookies
• Bananas Foster Cheesecake
• Filipino Mango Float
• Ritz Cracker Salted Caramel Icebox Cake

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