Happy Independence Day! Backyard Party and Recipe: Confetti Star Frosted Sugar Cookies

 I love the 4th of July! I think it is one of my favorite holidays (at least for now…ask me again in a couple months and I’ll tell you it is Thanksgiving, then a month later I’ll tell you my favorite is Christmas…). I also love throwing a party. So that is exactly what I did!

Any party in our family would include lots of homemade food.  And there was definitely no shortage! Strawberry cupcakes with swiss meringue buttercream frosting, our family favorite hamburgers, Grandma’s Lemon Blueberry Bread, lobster, Confetti Star Sugar Cookies (recipe at the end of this post!)…and thats just to list a few!

And I had so much fun decorating the back yard for the celebration.  All the decorations (except for the material I used for tableclothes) came from Target.  I found the material on clearance at JoAnns so I think I spent maybe $10 total to cover all my tables. My husband bought the tent for me at Walmart, something I’m sure we will use for many parties to come!

 The centerpieces were just hanging plants from Home Depot.  I took the hanger off and added 3 American Flags.

 There were also no lack of vintage touches. These amazing vintage fold chairs came from Paris, Maine and were a Valentines Day gift from my husband. And this flag is a very special flag in our family. It was my Great Grandfathers and only comes out for our family 4th of July celebrations. Not only has this flag been passed down the generations but it also only has 48 stars. And it is huge! All our annual family pictures take place in front of it!

 It was a lovely day filled with lots of family, friends, laughter, games, a celebration for my husband’s birthday. Our family really treasures the memories made everytime we are able to gather together…especially with new generations being born and the oldest generation getting even older and wiser. 

And as promised, our favorite recipe for Confetti Star Sugar Cookies!

Confetti Star Frosted Sugar Cookies

2015-06-28 22:05:13

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FOR THE COOKIES

1. 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2. 1 cup butter, softened
3. 1 egg
4. 1 tsp vanilla extract
5. 1/2 tsp almond extract
6. 2 1/2 cups flour
7. 1 tsp baking soda
8. 1 tsp cream of tartar

FOR THE FROSTING

1. 4 cups powdered sugar
2. 4 Tbsp heavy whipping cream (don't add all at once)
3. 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
4. 1/2 tsp almond extract
5. choice of Jimmies (Ice Cream Sprinkles)

FOR THE COOKIES

1. Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the softened butter and cream together. Add the egg and extracts and mix until well combined. With the mixer off add the flour, soda and cream of tartar and slowly mix until combined.
2. Form the cookie dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
3. Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit on the counter for about 15 minutes before rolling.
4. Working with half the dough at a time, on a floured surface roll dough to just shy of 1/4" thick. Using the cookie cutter of your choice (I used a large star) cut out shapes. Reroll dough as needed refrigerating for 15 minutes or so if dough becomes too warm and soft.
5. Place cut out cookie dough 2" apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Refrigerate unbaked cutouts for 10-15 minutes before baking.
6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 7-8 minutes until just starting to turn a light golden color. Remove from oven and let firm up on the baking sheet for only a minute (the bottoms will continue to cook so don't wait too long). Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely on a wire rack.

FOR THE FROSTING

1. Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl. Add about 2 Tbsp of the heavy whipping cream as well as the 1/2 tsp each of vanilla and almond extract. Stir together adding the rest of the whipping cream, 1 Tbsp at a time, until desired frosting consistency is reached. I usually add the full amount and the results are almost a whipped consistency.

FOR THE DECORATING

1. Pour Jimmies (sprinkles) onto a rimmed plate (a pie plate works well).
2. Working with one cookie at a time apply a generous amount of frosting to the cookie. Immediately press the cookie into the plate of Jimmies and press lightly. Remove from plate and let frosting set for 15 minutes.

Notes

1. Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up 2 months (maybe longer but I have never had them last past 2 month!) Just thaw and frost when ready!
2. Frosting can also be tinted with food coloring.

Adapted from Betty Crocker's Cooky Cookbook

Adapted from Betty Crocker's Cooky Cookbook

From The Family https://www.fromthefamilywithlove.com/

With Love, Jennifer