Sunflower Cookies

instructions

Tools:

• Flower Perimeter Cutter
• Cookie Sheets
• 8 in. Cookie Treat Sticks

Ingredients:

• Lemon Yellow Icing Color
• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with and electric mixer. Beat an egg and vanilla. Add baking powder and 2 cups of the flour, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Tint dough with icing color. Stir in remaining 1 cup of flour by hand. (Dough will be very stiff.) Do not chill dough. Pinch off small amount of dough, make twelve to eighteen 1/4" balls. Place balls, 3 inches apart, on ungreased cookie sheets. Each ball will be used as a base to support sunflower cookie treat stick. Press cookie treat stick into dough; set aside. Divide remaining dough into two balls. On a floured surface, roll each ball into a circle approximately 12 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough, dipping flower cutters in flour before each use. Place cookie over stick and press lightly. Add chocolate chips for center. Bake on middle rack of oven 6 to 10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet. Carefully remove cookies with spatula to cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before picking up by sticks.

YIELD: Makes 12-18 cookies.

Cookie Cutter Crafts

*As an Easter project, use spring colors and bite size perimeter Easter Cookie Cutters (2303-9319) to make Easter napkin rings. Use bunnies from the Bunny Cookie Treat pan to put in the flower pots.

Tools:

• Bite Size Perimeter
• Easter Cookie Cutters
• 2 0z. yellow modeling compound
• 2 oz. blue modeling compound (Use the type of compound which is hardened in the oven.)

For Picture Frame:
Cut two hearts the same size with heart cookie cutter. For front frame, cut center out of one heart with a smaller heart cookie cutter. Use other size heart cutters to imprint outline on frame. Bake pieces separately according to clay package instructions. When cool, glue photo to back. Glue front to back over photo. For a hanging frame, place ribbon loop between front and back before hanging.

For Napkin Rings:
Roll out compound to 1/4" thickness. Cut strips 5 1/2x1/2". Form strips into circles, overlapping ends and pressing together. Bake on sheet as shown. Cut hearts, making extra flower pots, if desired. Bake according to clay package instructions. Glue hearts to rings and pots when cool.

To make Flower pots:
Cut styrofoam to fit into small clean clay pots. Bake cookies as directed.

Variation: Omit cookie treat sticks and flower pots. Bake cookies as directed.

YIELD: Makes 1 frame, 4 napkin rings and 3 hearts for flower pots.