The Absolute Cutest Summer Cookies

This month, my sister, Claire, turned 24 years old (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLAIRE!).. For Claire's birthday celebrations when she was younger, my mom would make batches of these adorable watermelon sugar cookies. Not only are the sugar cookies themselves delicious, but there's something about the little bit of chocolate and the confectioners sugar frosting on the edges that makes them addicting and its impossible to stop after just one (seriously, impossible).



To bring back memories from birthdays past, I used good old Google to locate a recipe for these cookies similar to the one my mom used to make, baked them, and then gave them to Claire on her big day.

You're never too old for a fun, colorful cookie, right?

Here's the recipe from People.com:

And P.S., they don't taste like watermelon!

Watermelon Cookies

INGREDIENTS

Makes 3 Dozen

• 1/3 Cup of Butter, softened 
• 1/3 Cup of Shortening 
• 3/4 Cup of Sugar
• 1 Large Egg
• 1 Tbsp. Milk
• 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 Tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• Red Paste Food Coloring
• 1/3 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Minimorsals 
• 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar, sifted 
• 1 1/2 to 2 Tbsp. Water
• Green Paste Food Coloring 

DIRECTIONS

1. Beat butter and shortening in a large mixing bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg, milk and vanilla, mixing until blended. 
2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture. Add a small amount of red food coloring to dough to color as desired. Beat on low speed until blended. Shape dough into a ball; cover and chill at least 3 hours. 
3. Preheat oven to 375°. 
4. Divide dough in half; store one portion in refrigerator. Roll remaining portion to ¼-in. thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough with a 3-in. round cookie cutter; cut each circle in half. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press several chocolate minimorsels into each cookie. Repeat with remaining dough. 
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (do not brown). Remove to wire racks to cool. 
6. In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and enough water to form a glaze; add a small amount of green food coloring. Dip round edge of each cookie in green glaze, and place on a wire rack until frosting is firm.