Watermelon Cookies: Your Guide to the Sweetest Summer Sugar Cookie Treat
Welcome to a delightful world where the joy of summer meets the comfort of homemade baking! These vibrant and incredibly fun watermelon cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they are a miniature celebration, perfect for brightening any day. Whether you’re hosting a lively summertime gathering, planning a picnic, or simply looking for a cheerful baking project to enjoy with family, these delectable watermelon sugar cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles. Get ready to impress with their charming appearance and irresistible flavor, making them the ultimate sweet snack for any occasion!
Embrace Summer with Homemade Watermelon Cookies
Transform your kitchen into a haven of summer fun with these luscious, eye-catching watermelon cookies! This recipe is designed to be straightforward and enjoyable, ensuring you can whip up a batch of these tasty treats without any hassle. Imagine the delight on everyone’s faces as they discover these charming, homemade watermelon sugar cookies, shaped and decorated to mimic real watermelon slices. Each bite offers a sweet burst of flavor, making them an unforgettable indulgence. These delightful watermelon-shaped cookies are not just a dessert; they’re an experience, perfect for creating cherished memories with your loved ones.
Beyond their adorable appearance, these delightful watermelon cookies are a guaranteed hit for any event. They are versatile enough for casual backyard barbecues, festive birthday parties, school events, or even as a thoughtful homemade gift. Savor the truly unique and refreshing flavor profile of these watermelon sugar cookies, crafted to be the perfect sweet indulgence when you need a little pick-me-up or a show-stopping dessert for your next get-together.
Craving more cookie goodness? Discover other delightful cookie recipes:
- Donut Shaped Cookies
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Cookies
- Chocolate Turtle Cookies
- Strawberry Cream Cheese Cookies
- Blue Sugar Cookies
What exactly are watermelon cookies?
Watermelon cookies are essentially classic sugar cookies transformed into a fun, summery treat through clever decoration. The base is a tender, buttery sugar cookie, typically cut into a circular or oval shape to resemble a full watermelon or a half-moon for a slice. The magic happens with the frosting, which meticulously mimics the vibrant colors and distinctive patterns of a watermelon. This usually involves green frosting for the outer rind, a luscious pink or red food coloring for the juicy interior, and small, strategically placed black dots of food coloring to represent the seeds. These visually appealing cookies are an absolute must-have for any summer gathering, instantly adding a playful and festive touch. Get creative by using different cookie cutters to make other cute shapes like hearts or stars, all while keeping the iconic watermelon design!
What kind of frosting is best for watermelon cookies?
For these charming watermelon cookies, you have a few excellent frosting options, each offering a unique texture and finish. My personal choice for achieving that smooth, professional look is Royal Icing. It dries hard, creating a crisp surface that prevents smudging, which is ideal for intricate designs and stacking. However, if you prefer a softer, creamier texture that remains slightly pliable, both classic buttercream or a tangy cream cheese frosting work wonderfully for these summery delights. Regardless of your choice, remember to add a few drops of high-quality pink or red food coloring for the watermelon’s flesh and green food coloring for the rind to achieve those perfect, vibrant watermelon hues. Black food coloring gel is essential for those signature seeds!
How long will homemade watermelon cookies stay fresh?
To ensure your watermelon slice cookies remain as fresh and delicious as possible, proper storage is key. When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies will stay fresh for up to two days. If you need them to last a bit longer, placing them in the refrigerator in an airtight container can extend their freshness for up to four days. For long-term enjoyment, you can freeze the undecorated cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, simply thaw them completely at room temperature before decorating them with Royal Icing. If freezing decorated cookies, ensure the Royal icing is fully set, then layer them carefully between parchment paper in an airtight container.
Can I use a cookie cutter for these watermelon cookies?
Absolutely, using a cookie cutter is not only possible but highly recommended for achieving perfectly uniform and beautifully shaped watermelon cookies! The key to success is ensuring your cookie dough is adequately chilled before you roll it out. Chilled dough is less sticky and easier to handle, preventing it from spreading too much during baking and helping your cut shapes maintain their definition. Lightly flour your work surface and your rolling pin to prevent sticking. For classic watermelon slices, you can use a round cookie cutter and then cut the circles in half. Don’t be afraid to experiment with other shapes like triangles, ovals, or even mini watermelons using smaller cutters!
Are watermelon cookies suitable for vegans?
Yes, with a few thoughtful substitutions, these delightful watermelon cookies can absolutely be made vegan-friendly! The primary changes involve swapping out dairy and egg products. For the cookie dough, simply use a high-quality vegan butter or margarine in place of regular butter, and a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes) or a commercial egg replacer instead of a chicken egg. For the frosting, if you opt for buttercream or cream cheese frosting, ensure you use dairy-free versions of butter and cream cheese. If you plan to use Royal Icing, you’ll need to source an egg-free meringue powder or use an aquafaba-based royal icing recipe to make the entire treat completely vegan. Always double-check ingredient labels to ensure all components are free from animal products.
Can I make watermelon cookies without frosting?
While the vibrant frosting is what gives these watermelon cookies their iconic look, they can certainly be enjoyed without it! If you prefer a simpler, unfrosted cookie, you can still infuse them with plenty of flavor and visual appeal. To enhance the sweetness and add a hint of spice to the plain cookie dough, consider adding a little extra granulated sugar and a dash of cinnamon. For a fun, colorful touch without frosting, sprinkle clear sanding sugar or colored sugar crystals (like red, pink, and green) on top of the unbaked cookies before they go into the oven. You could also mix in some finely chopped dried cranberries or cherries into the dough for a pink hue and a chewy texture, or even a tiny amount of green food coloring to the dough itself to create a subtle green base for your “watermelon” cookies.
What other flavor combinations can I use to make watermelon cookies?
While the classic watermelon flavor is delightful, these cookies offer a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity! To introduce a brighter, more subtle citrus note, try adding some fresh lemon zest or a teaspoon of lemon juice to your cookie dough. If you’re looking to switch up the main fruit flavor, strawberry frosting can be a wonderful alternative to watermelon-flavored icing, or you could even infuse your dough with a hint of strawberry extract. For added texture and a boost of nutty flavor, incorporating finely crushed pistachios or almonds into the cookie dough can be a delicious twist. Dried fruits like finely diced cranberries or cherries can also add a pleasant chewiness and a pop of color. Don’t hesitate to have fun experimenting with different extracts, spices, and mix-ins to create your very own unique and personalized watermelon cookie recipe!
Essential Ingredients & Tools for Your Watermelon Cookie Adventure
Embarking on this fun baking project requires a few key ingredients for both the delicious cookie base and the vibrant Royal Icing, along with some standard kitchen tools. You’ll find a comprehensive list of all the necessary items in the detailed recipe card below, ensuring you have everything you need before you start. Gather your components and get ready to create some magic!
- Butter – softened
- White sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All purpose flour
- Salt
To make the ROYAL ICING, you’ll need:
- Warm Water
- Meringue Powder (I used Wilton)
- Karo Syrup
- Powdered Sugar
- Watermelon Jello
- Hot Pink Food Coloring Gel
- Lime Green Food Coloring Gel
- Dark Green Food Coloring Gel
- Black Food Coloring Gel
And here are the essential tools to help you along the way:
- Piping bags to decorate the cookies
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Stand mixer (an electric hand mixer works too)
- Parchment paper or wax paper
- Rolling pin
- 3-inch round cookie cutter
- Cookie sheet
- Cookie scriber (or a toothpick for fine details)
How to make perfect watermelon cookies: A step-by-step guide
To make the delightful cookie base:
- In the clean mixing bowl of your stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, begin by combining the softened butter, granulated white sugar, and egg. Beat these ingredients together until the mixture is light, fluffy, and beautifully creamy. This ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Next, incorporate the vanilla extract into the butter mixture, mixing just until it is fully blended and evenly distributed.
- In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Ensure these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to guarantee even flavor and texture throughout your cookies.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in the stand mixer, mixing on low speed until everything is just blended and a smooth, cohesive cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Prepare your workspace by placing a large piece of parchment paper on your kitchen counter and lightly sprinkling it with flour. Place half of the prepared cookie dough onto the floured parchment paper. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough evenly to a thickness of approximately 1/2 inch. Take your 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out full circles, and then carefully slice each circle in half to create two perfect watermelon slices for each cookie.
- Gently transfer the cut cookie slices onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn a light golden brown. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. This cooling step is crucial for the frosting to set properly.
To prepare the vibrant Royal Icing for decoration:
- In the mixing bowl of your stand mixer, combine the warm water, meringue powder, and Karo syrup. Blend these ingredients thoroughly with the whisk attachment until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 2 cups at a time, mixing on low speed until all the powdered sugar has been incorporated and the icing is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed to ensure everything is well combined. The consistency should be thick enough to hold its shape for piping, but still flow smoothly.
- Divide the prepared Royal Icing evenly into four separate bowls. In the first bowl, add 2 teaspoons of Watermelon Flavored Jello powder and 2 drops of Hot Pink Food Coloring Gel to create the vibrant watermelon flesh color. In the second bowl, add several drops of Lime Green Food Coloring Gel for the outer rind. For the third bowl, add a few drops of Dark Green Food Coloring Gel to create a darker green stripe for added detail. Finally, in the last bowl, add a few drops of Black Food Coloring Gel for the seeds. Mix each bowl until the colors are fully incorporated and uniform.
- Carefully transfer each colored icing into separate plastic pastry bags. Snip off just the very end of each bag, creating a small opening for piping.
- To begin decorating, pipe two parallel lines of the Lime Green Frosting along the rounded side of each cookie slice. Position one line along the very outside edge and the second line just inside, closer to where the pink color will be. Leave a thin strip of un-iced cookie dough between these two lines. Then, pipe a thin strip of the Dark Green Icing into this gap, creating a realistic two-toned rind effect.
- Next, fill in the central portion of the cookies with the watermelon-colored (hot pink) icing. Use a cookie scribe or a toothpick to gently spread the icing to the edges and remove any air bubbles, creating a smooth, even surface for the watermelon flesh.
- Once the pink icing has set slightly (after about 15-20 minutes), pipe small dots of the Black Icing all around the rounded side of the cookie, where the pink meets the rind. Using your cookie scriber, gently pull each black dot downwards into the pink icing, creating the distinctive tear-drop shape that perfectly resembles watermelon seeds.
- Allow the decorated cookies to set completely for at least 1 hour, or preferably longer, until the icing is firm to the touch. This prevents smudging and ensures your beautiful designs are preserved. Once set, serve and enjoy your incredible homemade watermelon cookies!
These delicious Watermelon Cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re a statement of summer, guaranteed to be a hit no matter the occasion. Whether it’s a lively summer BBQ, a festive birthday party, a casual get-together, or simply a spontaneous baking session, these tasty treats will bring smiles and a burst of vibrant flavor to everyone! Give them a try today and discover why these sweet, refreshing delights are the perfect way to cool down and celebrate on a hot summer day.
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Print the full recipe card below for convenience!
Watermelon Cookies
petro
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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Piping bags
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mixing bowl
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parchment paper
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stand mixer
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cookie cutter
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cookie sheet
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cookie scriber
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 1 cup of Butter – softened
- 1 cup of Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2 teaspoons of Vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups of All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
For the Royal Icing
- 3/4 cup of Warm Water
- 1/3 cup of Meringue Powder I used Wilton brand
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons of Karo Syrup
- 2 – 16 oz bags Powdered Sugar
- 1 small box Watermelon Flavored Jello
- Hot Pink Food Coloring Gel
- Lime Green Food Coloring Gel
- Dark Green Food Coloring Gel
- Black Food Coloring Gel
Instructions
To make the cookies
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In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter, sugar, and egg, and blend with the whisk attachment until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla, and mix until blended. In a separate bowl, add the flour, and salt, and mix well to blend. Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl, and mix until blended and smooth.
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Place a large piece of parchment paper on the kitchen counter, and sprinkle generously with flour. Place half of the prepared cookie dough on the parchment paper, and with a floured rolling pin, roll the dough evenly to a 1/2 inch thickness.
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Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out full circles from the rolled dough. Then, carefully cut each circle in half, making two perfect watermelon slices for your cookies.
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Place the cut cookie shapes onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies just begin to turn a light golden brown. Promptly remove from the oven to a wire rack, and allow them to cool completely before attempting to decorate.
To make the Royal Icing
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In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, place the warm water, meringue powder, and Karo syrup. Blend thoroughly with the whisk attachment until the mixture is completely combined and smooth, with no visible lumps.
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Add the powdered sugar, approximately 2 cups at a time, and mix on a low speed until all the powdered sugar has been fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are blended, then continue mixing until the icing achieves a smooth and creamy consistency, suitable for piping.
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Divide the prepared Royal Icing evenly into four separate bowls, approximately 1/4 of the icing in each. In one of the bowls, add 2 teaspoons of Watermelon Flavored Jello powder and 2 drops of Hot Pink Food Coloring Gel. In another bowl, add several drops of Lime Green Food Coloring Gel. In the next bowl, add a few drops of the Dark Green Food Coloring Gel, and in the last bowl, add a few drops of the Black Food Coloring Gel. Mix each color thoroughly until evenly distributed.
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Carefully transfer each distinct color of icing into its own plastic pastry bag. Snip off just the very end of each bag to create a small, controlled opening for detailed piping.
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To begin the decorating process, pipe the Lime Green Frosting in two distinct lines along the rounded side of each cooled cookie. Place one line on the outermost edge and the other line slightly inward, right where the pink “flesh” of the watermelon will begin. Leave a small, un-iced gap between these two lime green lines, just enough room to pipe a thin strip of the Dark Green Icing, mimicking the darker stripes on a watermelon rind.
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Next, generously fill in the entire central area of the cookies with the vibrant, hot pink, watermelon-colored icing. Use your cookie scribe or a clean toothpick to gently guide the icing to the edges of the green rind and smooth out any imperfections, ensuring a consistent and appealing surface.
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Once the pink base has set slightly (to prevent colors from bleeding), pipe small, evenly spaced dots of the Black Icing all around the rounded side of the cookie, within the pink “flesh” area. Then, using a clean cookie scriber, gently pull each black dot downwards into the pink icing to create the elongated, realistic appearance of watermelon seeds.
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Allow approximately 1 hour for the icing to completely set and harden. For best results and to prevent any smudges, you can let them air dry overnight. Once fully set, your beautiful watermelon cookies are ready to be served and enjoyed!
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