Watermelon Slice Cookies (Printable View)

Vibrant watermelon-shaped sugar cookies with red and green layers, perfect for summer parties and family baking activities.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

→ Decoration

09 - Red and green gel food coloring
10 - Mini chocolate chips (for seeds)
11 - 2 tablespoons milk (as needed)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
04 - Divide the dough into two portions: one larger (about 2/3) and one smaller (about 1/3). Tint the larger portion with red food coloring and knead until evenly distributed. Tint the smaller portion with green food coloring.
05 - Roll the red dough into a log about 10 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Roll out the green dough into a rectangle large enough to wrap around the log. Carefully wrap the green dough around the red log, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Wrap the combined dough log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
07 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
08 - Slice the chilled dough into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Cut each round in half to form watermelon slices.
09 - Place each slice on the prepared baking sheets. Press a few mini chocolate chips into the red portion of each slice to mimic watermelon seeds.
10 - Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are set but not browned. Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look impossibly impressive but the secret is just wrapping colored dough together
  • The chocolate chip seeds make everyone smile before they even take a bite
02 -
  • The chilling step is non negotiable, warm dough will melt into sad puddles in the oven
  • Gel coloring is worth the extra trip to the craft store, liquid colors make the dough too sticky
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent the dreaded dotted cookie texture
  • The lime zest suggestion in the notes is subtle but brilliant, try it once

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