Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies
Celebrate your next gathering with a delightful batch of Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies. These cookies are not just a treat for the taste buds; they’re a visual feast that brings a festive flair to any occasion. Whether it’s a barbecue, a birthday party, or a holiday celebration, these cookies are sure to impress with their vibrant colors and delicious flavor. The combination of soft, buttery cookies adorned with colorful sprinkles makes for a perfect indulgence. Let’s get started on creating these delicious treats!
Why It Works Every Time
The success of these Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies lies in the balance of flavors and textures. The melted butter ensures a rich taste and tender crumb, while the combination of brown sugar and vanilla adds depth of flavor. The addition of sprinkles not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds that delightful crunch. Plus, the sturdy shape of the star cookies means they are perfect for decorating and sharing with friends.
What’s in the Bowl
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted – This provides richness and helps create a soft cookie.
- 1 large egg – Acts as a binder, adding moisture and richness.
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed – Contributes sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
- 1 tablespoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract – Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – The base of our cookie dough.
- 1 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- 1 cup red, white, and blue sprinkles – For mixing into the dough and decorating.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – To create a creamy frosting.
- About 2 to 2 ¼ cups confectioners sugar – Sweetens the frosting and gives it a smooth texture.
- 2 to 3 teaspoons cream or milk – Adjusts the consistency of the frosting.
- 1 ounce bottle McCormick Red Food Color – For creating vibrant red frosting.
- Red, white, and blue sprinkles – For decorating the finished cookies.
Gear Up: What to Grab
- Mixing Bowls – For combining your ingredients.
- Whisk – To beat the egg and mix the batter.
- Baking Sheet – A sturdy surface for baking your cookies.
- Star-Shaped Cookie Cutter – Essential for cutting your dough into festive shapes.
- Cooling Rack – For letting your cookies cool properly.
- Spatula – To transfer cookies from the baking sheet.
- Decorating Bags – If you want to pipe frosting onto your cookies.
Cooking Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies: The Process
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for your cookies.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined. Add the egg and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the red, white, and blue sprinkles, ensuring they are evenly distributed in the dough.
Step 4: Cut Out Cookie Shapes
Once your dough is ready, take small portions and roll them out on a lightly floured surface. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes, transferring them to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overbaking.
Step 6: Cool the Cookies
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Prepare the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioners sugar, mixing well. Add cream or milk to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. If desired, add a few drops of red food coloring to create a vibrant red frosting.
Step 8: Decorate Your Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the prepared frosting and sprinkle additional red, white, and blue sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
Seasonal Twists
- Add lemon or almond extract for a unique flavor twist.
- Use colored frosting to match other holidays or themes.
- Incorporate chocolate chips for a chocolatey variation.
- Mix in nuts or dried fruits for added texture and flavor.
Cook’s Notes
- For best results, let your butter come to room temperature before mixing.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough; this can lead to tough cookies.
- Experiment with different cookie cutters for various occasions.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sprinkles to your liking!
Storage Pro Tips
To keep your Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing the undecorated cookies. Just thaw and frost them before serving!
Common Qs About Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies
Can I use a different type of sugar?
Yes! You can substitute granulated sugar for brown sugar, but it will alter the flavor slightly. Brown sugar adds a nice caramel note to the cookies.
How do I make the frosting thicker or thinner?
To make the frosting thicker, add more confectioners sugar. To thin it out, add a little more cream or milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Can I use different colors of sprinkles?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any colors that match your theme or occasion. Just have fun with it!
How do I make these cookies ahead of time?
You can prepare the dough in advance and chill it in the refrigerator for up to three days before baking. You can also freeze the cookies after baking and frost them later.
Serve with These
- Red, White, and Blue Vanilla Cake
- Refreshing Blueberry Lemonade
- Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream
- Easy Homemade Lemonade
Make It Tonight
There’s no better time than now to whip up a batch of Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies. With simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a festive treat ready in no time. So gather your loved ones, put on your favorite playlist, and enjoy the process of baking these delightful cookies. They’re perfect for sharing and will surely bring smiles to everyone’s faces!
Indulge in the sweetness of Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies, and let the joy of baking fill your kitchen. Happy baking!
Star-Shaped Red, White, and Blue Cookies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for your cookies.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined. Add the egg and continue whisking until the mixture is smooth.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the red, white, and blue sprinkles.
- Step 4: Roll out small portions of dough on a lightly floured surface and use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye to avoid overbaking.
- Step 6: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Step 7: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioners sugar, mixing well. Add cream or milk to achieve a smooth consistency and add red food coloring if desired.
- Step 8: Frost the cooled cookies and sprinkle additional red, white, and blue sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
Notes
- Let your butter come to room temperature for best results.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough; this can lead to tough cookies.
- Experiment with different cookie cutters for various occasions.
