Watermelon Cookies

A watermelon isn't something that gets served all year long. It's reserved mainly for summer eating because that's when it's available from the garden. But if you're one of those people who loves to surprise people with something unexpected, and you love to serve snacks or desserts to your guests, you might be interested to know that watermelon cookies can be served any time of the year. The cookies don't taste like watermelon but they're fun to make and eat.

When you use a favorite sugar cookie recipe, or even use a boxed mix, you can easily make the unusual watermelon cookies. Mix according to package or recipe instructions but add red food coloring to create the color of a watermelon. It should only take five or six drops for a single batch.

A round cookie cutter can help you create the look of watermelon slices. Cut large, round circles, then cut each circle in half. Each half will represent one watermelon slice. Bake the cookies as you normally would and allow them to cool.

There are different ways to make the seeds for the watermelon. One way is to sprinkle some mini chocolate chips onto the half-cookies - when they're almost finished baking - so that they'll melt slightly. Another way is to wait for the cookies to cool then use gel frosting to "glue" raisins to the cookies. Yet another option is to just make small, teardrop shapes on the cookies with black gel frosting. Make sure that you don't put any "seeds" really close to the straight edge of each cookie.

Melt green candy melts to make the watermelon rinds. The candy melts are sold at some craft stores and places that sell creative cooking supplies. Follow the easy package instructions to melt the green candies. Holding each cookie by the straight side, dip the curved side into a shallow pan of the melted candy, and roll from one end of the "rind" to the other. Allow excess to drip off and lay the cookie, seed side-up, on wax paper.

Although sugar cookies are ideal for making watermelon cookies there are some other types of cookie dough you could use. No matter what type you choose, make sure there are no protruding things, like chunks of chocolate, or pieces of cherries.

Watermelon cookies bring a touch of summer to a wintry day, or can be taken on a picnic when it is warm outside. They're scrumptious, adorable, and really easy to create.