Fourth of July or Groovy Colorful Cookies

Looking for a fun, easy 4th of July, summer or anytime colorful cookie? When we are, we often find ourselves turning to this recipe for “Beautiful Colorful Cookies” in the book, Williams-Sonoma Kids Cookies. It makes a tasty shortbread-like cookie, with a great crunchy texture.

But, of course, the real star is the unexpected, high-impact colors. We use professional paste frosting colors for wonderful results. You can get a box of 8 small color jars from ChefMaster, available at specialty baking stores, for around $8.

You’ll need:

1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 c. flour
Food coloring

(This will make about 22 cookies. We suggest doubling the recipe.)

Adjust oven to 350.
Put butter, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla in large bowl and beat, on medium-high speed, until creamy.
Add flour and beat at low speed to form smooth dough.
Divide dough in equal parts, one for each color you’ve chosen, and add food coloring until you get the colors you want.

You can then either employ the “log” method of designing your cookies …

… Or the “blob” method.

Here, logs are placed together ..

… and then gently twisted.

The process is very much like working with fimo clay.

This is the blob version, in which the log is created by putting rolled balls of dough together and gently rolling to combine.

The trick to both is twisting or rolling gently, so the colors don’t mix too much and each remains distinct. You can cut a slice to see if you’re happy with your pattern.

Cut slices about 1/4″ thick. If the dough is too soft, refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Place slices on ungreased cookie sheets about 1″ apart and bake for approx. 10 minutes or until set.

Cool and enjoy!

Here’s how the cookies can look with subtler colors. Happy 4th!

Photos by Susan Sachs Lipman