Summertime Watermelon-Inspired Sugar Cookies
These Summertime Watermelon-Inspired Sugar Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for any summer gathering or barbecue! Featuring vibrant colors and a whimsical design, these cookies capture the essence of summer fun. With a delicious sugar cookie base and chocolate chip 'seeds', they offer a playful, tasty experience for all ages. Easily prepared with refrigerated cookie dough, they are sure to be a hit at any event.
36
Servings
N/A
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Refrigerated sugar cookie dough
2 packages (18 ounces each)
All-purpose flour
1/2 cup (divided)
Green food coloring
as needed (to achieve desired color)
Red food coloring
as needed (to achieve desired color)
Mini chocolate chips
as needed (for decoration)
Instructions
1
Allow both packages of cookie dough to stand at room temperature in separate bowls for 30 minutes to soften.
2
Add 1/4 cup of flour and sufficient green food coloring to one of the bowls, mixing at medium speed until thoroughly blended and the desired shade of green is achieved.
3
Wrap this green dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 2 hours to firm up.
4
In the second bowl, add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour along with enough red food coloring to reach your preferred hue. Mix at medium speed until even.
5
Shape the red dough into a 9-inch log, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
6
Remove the green dough from the fridge. Roll it out between two sheets of wax paper into a rectangle measuring 9x8 inches.
7
Take the red dough log from the plastic wrap and position it in the center of the green dough rectangle.
8
Carefully wrap the green dough around the red log, pressing together at the seams and rolling gently to smooth out any imperfections.
9
Encapsulate the entire log in plastic wrap again and freeze for 30 minutes to make slicing easier.
10
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
11
Remove the log from the freezer and slice into discs about 3/8-inch thick.
12
Cut each disc in half to create semi-circles and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet, maintaining a distance of about 2 inches between each piece.
13
Press mini chocolate chips into the red portion of each semi-circle to resemble watermelon seeds.
14
Bake the cookies in the oven for 8-11 minutes or until they are set but not browned.
15
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about a minute before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Summertime Watermelon-Inspired Sugar Cookies?
They are vibrant, whimsical sugar cookies designed to look like watermelon slices, featuring a sugar cookie base and chocolate chip seeds.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 36 servings.
What type of cookie dough is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses two 18-ounce packages of refrigerated sugar cookie dough.
How much flour is added to the dough?
A total of 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour is used, divided equally between the green and red dough portions.
Why is flour added to the refrigerated cookie dough?
Adding flour helps firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and shape after coloring.
What food coloring colors are needed?
You will need green food coloring for the rind and red food coloring for the fruit part of the cookie.
How long should the dough soften at room temperature before mixing?
The dough should stand at room temperature for 30 minutes to soften.
How long should the colored dough refrigerate?
Both the green and red doughs should be refrigerated for 2 hours to firm up.
What size should the red dough log be?
The red dough should be shaped into a log approximately 9 inches long.
How do I roll out the green dough?
Roll the green dough between two sheets of wax paper into a rectangle measuring 9x8 inches.
How is the watermelon look assembled?
The red dough log is placed in the center of the green dough rectangle, and the green dough is wrapped around the log and smoothed at the seams.
Why is the dough frozen before slicing?
Freezing the log for 30 minutes makes the dough easier to slice into clean discs.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How thick should the cookie slices be?
The dough log should be sliced into discs about 3/8-inch thick.
How do you get the semi-circle watermelon shape?
After slicing the log into discs, cut each disc in half to create semi-circles.
What are the 'seeds' made of?
Mini chocolate chips are pressed into the red portion of the dough to resemble seeds.
Do I need to grease the cookie sheet?
No, the cookies should be placed on an ungreased cookie sheet.
How far apart should the cookies be placed?
Maintain a distance of about 2 inches between each cookie on the baking sheet.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes.
How can I tell when the cookies are done?
The cookies are done when they are set but not yet browned.
How long should the cookies cool on the sheet?
Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about one minute.
Where should the cookies finish cooling?
Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.
Is this recipe suitable for summer barbecues?
Yes, these festive cookies are perfect for summer gatherings, barbecues, and fun snacks.
How much flour goes into the green dough?
Add 1/4 cup of flour to the bowl intended for the green dough.
How much flour goes into the red dough?
Add the remaining 1/4 cup of flour to the bowl intended for the red dough.
What speed should I use to mix the dough?
Mix the dough and coloring at medium speed until thoroughly blended.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include dessert, cookies, sugar cookies, watermelon, summer treat, and easy recipe.
Can I use regular chocolate chips for seeds?
While mini chocolate chips are recommended for the best scale, you can use regular ones if needed.
What preparation is needed for the 2 packages of dough?
Each package should be 18 ounces and softened at room temperature.
How is the green dough flattened?
It is rolled out between two sheets of wax paper to prevent sticking and ensure even thickness.