Monday, August 5, 2013

"Watermelon" Sugar Cookies




Welcome to Red Couch Recipes!
 
Hello to all of you!  I hope you are enjoying your summer!  Like mine, I am sure that your summer is going by soooo quickly.
 
I made fun watermelon cookies recently.  They were super easy to make.  They looked even cuter when you sliced them in half, but I forgot to take a picture of them sliced in half.
 
Instructions:
 
1) Make the No Fail Sugar Cookie Recipe (see recipe below) tinting the dough green for the watermelon rinds.  Cut out cookies in round shape, bake and let cool.
2) Make a batch of Buttercream Frosting(see recipe below)  and tint pink for the watermelon flesh.
3) Frost the green cookies with the pink frosting.
4) Add miniature chocolate chips for the seeds.
 

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.  Add green tinting and mix well.
Roll to desired thick and cut into rounds. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or just before they begin 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.  You might need more time,  but just to be sure, check them early.
 
Buttercream Frosting Recipe
 
 3/4 cup softened butter
4 cups powdered sugar
  1 tsp. vanilla
3-4 tablespoons water ( add more if necessary)

Beat all ingredients with your mixer in a large bowl. Add water slowly and add additional if
needed. Frosting needs to be soft and fluffy.
  
Instructions and Hints:  Don't overcook the sugar cookies.  I like them a little under baked.  The food coloring usually becomes a little darker with time.

Notes from the home front:

I have been on a blogging hiatus.  I have tried to return several times, but have not been successful.  Hopefully, with this post I will return.  I miss all of you in blogland, like most of you, my life has been on warp speed.  I may do a post on all our summer cavorting.


I boxed the cookies up and gave some of them to some of the Primary children in our LDS Ward.  I am the relatively new Primary President :). 
 
 
 Thanks for dropping by Red Couch Recipes!
  


14 comments:

Shashi at SavorySpin said...

Great looking cookies!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com

Bonnie said...

So cute Joni. I hope things are going well with your family. I miss your posts.

Barbara F. said...

Joni!! So happy to see a new post. I hope all is well with you. These recipes are keepers, I saved them, and now you have me thinking not of summer, but Christmas! I want to make a big batch of these sugar cookies for Christmas. xo

Sarah said...

Joni, these are adorable! If I were still teaching, I'd be making these for back to school. '-)
Hope all is good for you and your family. I miss your posts, but now your life is full. Know that I think of you........Sarah

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Oh this are the cutest cookies, ever! Thanks for the recipe and will try them with my g'girls. Big hugs,
FABBY

Sue said...

It is good to "see" you! These cookies look darling and easy. I'm sure the children were thrilled to get them. I haven't blogged as much lately either. I think it runs in cycles (at least for me).

Pondside said...

Lovely to see you back, Joni, with your great recipes and fun twists on everyday baking.

Lynn said...

Very cute! I'm sure the kids loved them:@)

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

I was delighted to see a post from you Joni. These are adorable, and I bet my daughter-in-love would love these for her students. xo

Debbie said...

Wow, it's great to see you post! I have never opened this blog and failed to be utterly delighted. The cookies are a perfect example. I love when you make themed stuff like that.

And I have wondered about you. I hope all is well. It sounds like you have not made your move yet. I hope all is OK.

Sue said...

I actually like the watermelon cookies whole like this:) They look cute. I bet they are super yummy with the buttercream icing! So glad to see a post from you, Joni, and congrats on your new-ish calling!

Mom E. said...

Joni,
Fun cookies! I have not been able to make Gluten Free sugar cookies that I am willing to eat, they are NOT the same as the wheat flour versions. But these are so cute! my daughter would love to make these. Just have to find that amazing GF recipe first!
Hearts to you!
Betsy

Mom E. said...

AND love your new blog look, such a great look! Linda is very talented and your sister is a doll!
Hugs,
Betsy

Jacqueline said...

I am so glad you posted these. They are absolutely adorable. What fun. Hope you get some more time now to blog - I miss you!

Engageya