Use this basic sugar cookie recipe to make the perfect poolside treat. Kids (and adults) won't be able to get enough. —Coleen Walter, Bancroft, Michigan
Summertime Fun Cookies Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Optional decorations: Bear-shaped crackers, fish-shaped graham crackers, Airheads candies, gummy sour rings, white sugar pearls and palm tree party picks
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in extracts and 1 egg at a time. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets; flatten slightly with bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake until edges begin to brown, 8-10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire racks; cool completely.
For frosting, beat butter, confectioners' sugar, extract and enough water to reach desired consistency; tint blue with food coloring. Spread over cookies. Decorate as desired.
Test Kitchen tips
Cream of tartar is an acid. When combined with baking soda, it creates carbon dioxide, helping these cookies puff up just a bit. It also gives them their signature soft texture.
Vanilla extract can be used in place of almond extract in both the cookie dough and frosting.
A little bit of nutmeg goes a long way. Just ¼ tsp. will make these cookies taste like they came from a bakery.
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Reviews
I made this recipe for a pool party. They were delicious
The kitchen tip should have stated: baking soda