Easy Patriotic Sugar Cookies
These cookies not only represent the American flag colors but they also marks the first school bake sale item for my kitchen helper and I. Now that he is in school full-time we can participate in fun activities such as this. With a packed schedule I knew I wanted to make something Red, White and Blue but also did not have time to have hours of chilling dough in the fridge. I decided to utilized my easy no-chill sugar cookie recipe and transform the dough into different colors with just a few drops of food coloring.
The one bowl recipe is simple to mix up, just have the butter softened before starting. I did not have a star cookie cutter, nor time to run out and buy one, so I cut out a star template and cut the designs. If you do have a star cookie cutter I would recommend using it as it will save you time and ensure cleaner edges. Now for the color. Once the dough is made I transferred it onto wax paper and formed a square shape. That way I could divided it into three equal parts. I placed one section back into the bowl and added 3 drops of food coloring, mixed and then made any necessary adjustments to the color. I did the same for the other portion of dough.
This recipe does not need to be chilled, so once you have your desired colored sugar cookie dough ready, start rolling and cutting out your stars. After baking for 7-8 minutes you can cool and then package into the cutest patriotic bake sale item.
Happy Voting Day!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup (1 stick)- Unsalted Butter, softened
- 3/4 Cup - Confectioner's Sugar
- 1/8 Cup - Applesauce
- 1 1/4 Cup - All Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon - Baking Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon - Salt
- Red and Blue Food Coloring
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. (You might have dough for a few more on an additional baking sheet)
- In a large bowl cream together the confectioners sugar and softened butter with a hand mixer
- Mix in the applesauce, then add flour, baking powder and salt
- If the dough is still too tacky, add additional flour. The cut out cookies should easily be moved to a cookie sheet without distorting the shape.
- This dough does not need to be refrigerated!!
- Once the dough comes together, divide into three equal parts. Add food coloring and mix with hands or mixer until desired color
- Once the newly colored dough comes together roll until 1/4" thick. Use a silicone mat and wax paper on top when rolling out the dough
- Bake at 400 for 7-8 minutes or right before the cookies start to brown
Additional Info
Nicole Bedard
Nicole is a professional photographer, mother to an energetic child, and founder of Make and Taste. She has been a Commercial, Editorial and Lifestyle photographer for 10 years and has been published in various magazines and brand websites. Nicole is passionate about providing her child with meaningful experiences and documenting all of the fun along the way. You can always find her baking with her 7 year old and enjoying a good cup of coffee.