Summertime Fun Cookies

Total Time:Prep: 30 min. Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling

Recipe by Coleen Walter, Bancroft, Michigan

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated on Nov. 28, 2023

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


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.

    • Watch How to Make Summertime Fun Cookies

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    TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

    Summertime Fun Cookies

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    Yield:about 2-1/2 dozen
    Prep:30 min
    Cook:10 min
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    Ingredients

    • 1 cup butter, softened
    • 3/4 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
    • 2 large eggs, room temperature
    • 2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • frosting:
      • 1/4 cup butter, softened
      • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
      • 1 teaspoon almond extract
      • 2 to 4 tablespoons hot water
      • Blue food coloring
      • Optional decorations: Bear-shaped crackers, fish-shaped graham crackers, Airheads candies, gummy sour rings, white sugar pearls and palm tree party picks
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    Directions

    1. 1
      Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes; beat in extracts and egg, 1 at a time. In another bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
    2. 2
      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.
    3. 3
      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.

    Nutrition Facts

    1 cookie: 174 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 107mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
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