Fireworks Cookies

Get ready for the 4th of July with these "Fireworks Cookies" -- they will add some pop, crack , and sizzle to your celebration.  When I spied the cover, of the current Martha Stewart issue, I knew I would be making a version of the featured cookies. So light up the 4th with these colorful cookies.

They are surprising simple, and forgiving to make.  Just whip up a batch of these "No-Fail" Sugar cookies and some Royal Icing.

No Fail Sugar Cookie Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

6 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

2 cups butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 teaspoon salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and add to butter mixture. Mix well.

Roll to desired thick and cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or just until beginning to turn brown around the edges. I like to roll them at least 1/4 to 1/3 inch-thick; they just taste so good thick. Also be sure to check them at 8 minutes with the first pan. Most likely, especially if they are thick and large cookies, you will need time, but just to be sure, check them early.

Royal Icing Recipe

Makes about six cups of icing

7-1/2 cups confectioner's (powdered) sugar

6 tablespoons meringue powder

12 tablespoons warm water

Beat in a stand mixer for about 4-5 minutes until smooth. You may have to add a slight bit of water, if it is too thick for you to outline the borders of your cookies. If the icing is too thin, then add more powdered sugar. When adding water, do so carefully. You can use a decorator tip or bottle to make the outline. Outline your cookies and allow them to dry for at least one hour. For flow consistency, filling in your cookies within the outline, you will need to add additional water. Fill in with the help of the back of a spoon; back up the icing to the border. When all the feathered, firecracker or psychedelic details are added, let dry overnight.

Pipe an outline of the cookie -- this is a stiff version of the Royal Icing.  Flood the cookie with the back of a spoon and back it up to the outline -- see details above. While the flooded cookie is still wet, you can pipe the elements described below.  It is best to work with one cookie at a time.

Firecracker or Pinwheel Effect -- Bottom Left and Right Cookies

 

Flood cookie with white Royal Icing.  For the "firecracker" look, pipe concentric circles in your choice of colors.  The circles don't have to be perfect -- mine weren't :). 

With a toothpick, drag lines from the center circle to the outward circle. 

Psychedelic Cookies

Flood cookie with white Royal Icing. Pipe colors randomly on cookie. Drag toothpick in swirling motions.

Feathered Cookies -- Top Right

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Flood cookies with white Royal Icing.  For the feather cookie, pipe lines across the cookie, then drag, with a toothpick, the piped lines from top to bottom.

All the Cookies

I have included a "hand-drawn" guide below for the firecracker or pinwheel cookies and the feathered cookies.

Thanks for dropping by my Red Couch today.

Posted with the following:  Weekend Wrapup, Made By You Monday, Take-A-Look Tuesday, Show and Tell, These Chicks Cooked Linky Party, Summer Blog Party, I'm Lovn' It, Tickled Pink, For the Kid's Friday, Sweets for a Saturday, Wow Us Wednesdays, Workshop Wednesdays, Hookin' Up With Hepworths, A Themed Baker's Sunday