Fourth of July is a big deal in my small town and I know I will hear fireworks every night over the long holiday weekend. Late June – early July weather can be iffy around here and it’s no surprise when it rains on the 4th. The old joke is that summer officially begins on July 5th when the weather starts drying out and getting warmer. Not the case this year…this is our third day of close to 100 degrees and the rest of the weeks looks like more of the same. That means lots of cookouts, picnics and long weekends at the beach.
I love ice-box cookies and when I saw this recipe at JUST A TASTE I knew it would be perfect for our holiday get togethers…the main reason being that ice-box cookies are my favorite and secondly that they will hold up well outside in the heat. Anything with frosting will be a gooey mess in no time.
Could there be any more perfect dessert for the 4th of July? I have made pinwheel cookies before but it never occurred to me to use our beloved red, white and blue in such a fun and whimsical way. Like all ice-box cookies, the dough is made ahead of time, rolled into logs and chilled in the refrigerator until ready to bake. The cookies can go straight from the fridge, after they are cut into 1/4-inch slices, into the oven and be ready to serve in just minutes. Wouldn’t they make fun little ice cream sandwich? I will have to try that next time.
HERE’S A LITTLE KITCHEN TIP ~ I couldn’t get along without my kitchen scale. It allows so much more accuracy when I need equal portions of anything. This prepared cookie dough weighs 980 grams so I know that each portion needs to weight 327 grams to come out equal. I always use my scale when I’m making layer cakes, loaves of bread that I want the same size, and a predictable number of dinner rolls from my favorite recipe. If you don’t have a scale I urge you to run right out and buy one. You will love it!
This recipe is a little different than the refrigerator cookie recipes I always use and I thought it was a little difficult to handle. I added an extra 1/2 cup flour to the dough (indicated in the recipe) and next time I will increase it to 3/4 cup. The flavor of the dough is excellent. I used a lot of food coloring to get the dark colors so be careful where you roll out the dough. The little bits of dough can stain fabrics and porous surfaces…like a butcher block.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, EVERYONE.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A FUN AND VERY SAFE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (I recommend 3-1/2 ups flour)
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1⅓ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Red food coloring
- Blue food coloring
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating between each addition, then add the vanilla.
- Turn the mixer off. Add the flour and then beat just until combined. Remove the dough and separate it into three equal pieces. Shape one piece of the dough into a 4- by 4-inch square, wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. (This will be the white portion of the cookies.)
- Return one of the remaining pieces of dough to the stand mixer bowl, and with the mixer on "low," add in the red food coloring until it reaches your desired color. Remove the red dough, shape it into a 4- by 4-inch square, wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. (This will be the red portion of the cookies). Clean out the bowl to remove any red food coloring residue.
- Add the final piece of dough to the stand mixer bowl, and with the mixer on "low," add in the blue food coloring until it reaches your desired color. Remove the blue dough, shape it into a 4- by 4-inch square, wrap it securely in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge. (This will be the blue portion of the cookies.)
- Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and cut each square in half to form two rectangles. Wrap half of each color of dough in plastic wrap and return it to the fridge. Place the red dough in between two pieces of wax paper and roll it into a rectangle about ⅛-inch thick. Roll out the white dough between two separate pieces of wax paper until it is a rectangle about ⅛-inch thick. Roll out the blue dough between two separate pieces of wax paper until it is a rectangle about ⅛-inch thick.
- Peel the top layer of wax paper off of the red dough and then peel the wax paper off one side of the white dough and use the other side to transfer the white dough on top of the red dough. Peel off the wax paper from one side of the blue dough and use the other side to transfer it atop the white dough. Very lightly roll the three layers together.
- Starting at the shorter end of the rectangle, roll the dough as tightly as possible into a log. Repeat the rolling and stacking process with the remaining dough in the fridge. Wrap the logs in wax paper and then plastic wrap and refrigerate them for 1 hour. Remove the dough logs and roll them on the counter several times so they don't develop a flat side.
- When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove the dough from the fridge and slice each log into ¼-inch rounds. Place the rounds about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets, as the cookies will expand when baked.
- Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes until pale golden, and then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.
This post is linked to FOODIE FRIDAY at Rattlebridge Farm.
There’s a big party going on over there for the holiday and I hope you will stop by.
Aren’t those pretty!!!!
My husband is up in your neck of the woods right now. He says it is HOT!!
xo Kris
Too funny we just had 2 weekends in a row..St-Jean Baptiste..and then Canada Day..so ap 6 nights of fireworks..
This after our major Firworks supplier blew up:( Very sad.. and left 2 families without moms..
I guess many had already bought their fireworks..Some municipalities canaceled out of compassion~
Onto happier things!
These ADORABLE cookies..Love them..and that priceless milk bottle:)
Happy 4th..it will always be special in our hearts..Noah will be 5!
Monique recently posted..Lavender~
Have a wonderful holiday!!! Happy Independence Day.
bellini recently posted..The Spot Prawn Season Has Ended, But, We Can Still Enjoy Them With a Pernod Cream Sauce and Memories of a Festival
I love Kelly’s blog, and I bought her book (great resource for bloggers). I think you did her proud, as these are picture perfect. I’ve never made ice box cookies, and I really should. I love all the pretty patterns you get. It’s that hot up there? Oh, my. I was wilting at 90 degrees here in Monterey. A/C? Perish the thought. Nobody has it here. I wish you a wonderful July 4th. I don’t think I’ll be able to do much cooking or baking, as I’m still a bit wobbly on my feet. I’ll just enjoy everyone else’s picnics and BBQ’s vicariously. Hugs.
Foodiewife recently posted..Vanilla Salted Peanut Cookies (and my extended absence)
Those are so cute! We’re expecting rain on the 4th, so I may have to make a batch just to keep holiday spirits up as everyone’s forced inside. Thanks for sharing the recipe and for the tips.
I am wishing our normal PNW weather would return…I have some baking to do:)
These are wonderful Cathy–LOVE the colors; they’re incredible! Between you and your talented daughter, my 4th of July menus are taking shape!! I do have one itty bitty question though–did you use liquid or gel food coloring?
Stay cool Cathy and thanks!
Blessings, Aimee
I agree with you, Aimee. I like it around 65 degrees, not 95. I used gel food coloring. I don’t think it would make any difference in this particular recipe. Thanks for the question. Those little things sometimes can make a difference in the way the recipe turns out. Also, the gels have a more intense color. Have a great holiday weekend.
Cathy recently posted..Red White and Blue Pinwheel Ice Box Cookie
Kathy, these are a really beautiful cookie. I love the way they look.
oops, sorry about misspelling your name above…..that’s how my bested bud spells her
Happy 4th of July
What a great cookie to enjoy during the celebrations on the 4th.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Bourbon And Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops
such vibrantly colored cookies
jennifurla recently posted..Quiche
Your cookies are so fun Cathy, I love the vibrant colors! No doubt they’ll be a big hit with everyone! Happy 4th of July-enjoy:@)
Happier Than A Pig in Mud recently posted..Bread and Butter Jalapeno Pickles-Refrigerator Pickles
Wow! These cookies do look festive.
BTW – I have a friend opening a bakery in your neck of the woods.
Marilyn recently posted..Tea in Lavender Fields
That is great news, Marilyn. We desperately need a bakery here in Newberg. What Fred Meyer offers is about all we have. Where is the bakery and when does it open? I’ll be one of the first customers. Have a very happy 4th of July.
Cathy recently posted..Red White and Blue Pinwheel Ice Box Cookie
What an amazing looking cookie! I never knew something like this even existed, perfect for the 4th!
Rhonda recently posted..Happy 4th of July!
Your cookies look wonderful! So fun and festive!!!!! Man, can you believe this weather? We’re melting! But these cookies would definitely help =o)
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..Glazed Chocolate Donuts
These are stunning cookies. I would love to have them, on my table, on the Fourth or any day.
Chaya recently posted..Coconut Curried Brussels Sprouts & Bok Choy
I am not usually into cutesy food, but these are to cute. I always loved pinwheel cookies and these are spectacular. Thank you!
Abbe@This is How I Cook recently posted..Give Me Some Sauce Tuesday (Remoulade or Tartar with Old Bay)
What a perfect dessert for the 4th of July. Makes me want to go on a picnic.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Red, White, and Blue Watermelon Salad
How FUN, Cathy!! Very, VERY creative & such a great idea…you deserve a round of applause & a 21 gun salute! All “Hail to the CHEF” LOL
Rettabug recently posted..National PINK Day in the Gazebo
Wow, Cathy, those are the most beautiful cookies I’ve ever seen! You’ve put me in the perfect mood for the 4th! I hope you have a Happy and Safe 4th of July too! (PS: I do want to also thank you for contributing some of your great recipes on the Italian group on FB! Slowly but surely, it will get going.)
Hugs,
Roz
Roz recently posted..Espresso Brownie Parfaits with Amaretto Ice Cream & Salted Caramel Sauce #chocolateparty
You always do such fun things with colorful, layered cookies, Cathy ! These are so much fun and perfect for the fourth!
Perfect for the 4th! Hope all has been well in your world – long time no see!
Martha recently posted..Happy 4th of July
Impressive cookies Cathy! Happy 4th!
Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) recently posted..Hot Dogs, Top Dogs and a Denver Dog
Cutest cookies and they could be made different colors for different holidays.
Karen recently posted..Tuscan Spinach-Basil Pesto Salad