It’s almost the 4th of July! Which means red, white, and blue clothes, fireworks, hotdogs, hamburgers, and cold beer.
Especially fireworks.
I’m a big fan. But who isn’t? There is this place near Fort Riley that apparently has AMAZING 4th of July fireworks. Like…unreal amazing. Several of Seth’s coworkers said that they’ve lived in a lot of different places and seen a lot of different firework shows but none have compared to this.
So naturally I’m pretty pumped. We are, of course, going to head to Walmart and purchase as many cheap and tacky flag clothing items that we can find.
So about these cookies….
This entire recipe was a strug fest (don’t worry – it ended up being worth it).
As you can probably see by the lack of dessert recipes on this blog, I am NOT a baker. I don’t really enjoy baking, I know pretty much nothing about it (I always go for the box mixes…confession), and I’m not really a HUGE dessert person. I enjoy dessert but I would much rather cook and eat savory food. The exception to that ramble are these gluten free brownies….which I am still obsessed with.
But I couldn’t get the idea of these little fruit pizzas out of my mind.
My grandma used to make a BANGIN’ fruit pizza that I can still taste when I think about. So I really wanted to make these cute little mini flag fruit pizzas for the 4th of July.
But…again…strug.
First of all, I wanted to buy pre-made sugar cookie dough because…like I said – baking + me = nope.
But I could find no such pre-made sugar cookie dough. So I had two choices: go to a second grocery store and try and find some or just make my own. Most people have all the ingredients they need for sugar cookies in their pantry and fridge, so I decided to just suck it up and make my own.
Second strug…rolling out the dough. The first time around, I didn’t refrigerate the dough or flour my counter enough, so when I rolled it out and cut the little squares, they stuck to the counter like super glue. Supa SUPA sticky.
But here is the silver lining – the rest was super easy. The icing is a cinch, and then from there you just have to put the pieces of fruit into little lines to semi-resemble a flag.
Yay 4th of July!
Well the good thing for you is that I figured out the easiest and most foolproof way to do this so any other non-bakers out there won’t experience the strug fest I went through last week.
Soooo #1 – You can use any sugar cookie recipe you want for this. It really doesn’t matter. You can even use store bought dough (which I definitely tried to do…so no judgement here).
#2 – Once you make your dough, flatten it out into a big hockey puck shape, wrap in saran wrap, and let that baby sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
#3 – Flour your counter top and your rolling pin, throw your hockey-puck-sugar-cookie-dough down, and start rolling out. Start from the center and roll out to the edges (you will need to re-flour your rolling pin pretty often). After you have rolled several times, use a spatula to lift up parts of the dough and sprinkle more flour underneath so it’s not sticking. You should be able to slide it around on the counter. You may need to repeat this step a few times throughout the rolling process. This was the big game changer for me – life was easy after this.
#4 – Since I never bake, I have very few baking tools – like cookie cutters for example. So I just used a small rectangular Tupperware. Anything that is rectangular and semi-small (since these are individual pizzas, after all) will work!
Hey. FYI. If you put them this close together they will expand and all be touching each other by the time they are done. That wasn’t a big deal for me because I was still able to lift them out easily in individual pieces rather than one massive slab. But just a warning – if you don’t want that to happen then place them further apart and just bake them in batches.
As you can see, my corners were rounded because of the Tupperware I used, so I used a pizza slicer to form them into neater rectangles.
Boom-shacka-lacka. Cookies.
After this you are in the clear. The frosting is easy. The decorating is easy. And the eating is REALLY easy.
Cute wittle flags.
We left one on the counter and Boone ate it…sigh…he couldn’t resist. He just wanted to be patriotic.
Happy almost 4th of July! I want to know what you guys are doing. What are your fun plans?
- For the cookies:
- 2¾ cups flour (plus more for sprinkling on counter and rolling pin)
- 1½ cups white sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- For the frosting:
- 1¼ cup cream cheese (1 12oz tub)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small container strawberries (about 15 or so)
- 1 small container blueberries
- For the cookies, mix all the dry ingredients except the sugar in a large bowl
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar
- Beat in the egg and vanilla
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients
- Form dough into a hockey puck shaped slab and wrap in saran wrap
- Place in the fridge for 30 minutes
- Meanwhile, make your frosting and prep your fruit
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until completely combined. Set aside.
- Dice your strawberries and set aside
- When the 30 minutes have passed, preheat your oven to 375 degrees
- Take your dough out of the fridge and flour your counter top where you will be rolling out the dough
- Flour your rolling pin (you may need to re-flour the rolling pin often throughout this process)
- Place the dough on the floured surface and roll, starting from the center and going outward
- After several rolls, lift sections of the dough up with a spatula and sprinkle more flour under them
- You may need to repeat this step a few times throughout the process - the dough should be able to slide across the counter
- Once your dough is about ¼ inch thick, cut into rectangles using a cookie cutter, any other rectangular object, or a knife
- Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of a baking sheet, and place the cookies on top of the paper
- Bake for about 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are slightly golden brown
- Let them cool for a few minutes
- Frost with a few large dollops of frosting per cookie and decorate with the blueberries and strawberries so the cookies look like flags
I used this recipe for my sugar cookies, but you can use ANY sugar cookie recipe you want (or you can use pre-made).
If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!
Want more dessert recipes? Check these out:
Healthy Vegan Chocolate Milkshake
2 Ingredient, 5 Minute Strawberry Frozen “Yogurt”
Savita @ ChefDeHome says
July 2, 2015 at 4:39 pmBeautiful tarts, so creative! Perfect for 4th of July! thanks for sharing, Annie!
Savita @ ChefDeHome recently posted…By ChefDeHome- Jerk Chicken Sliders with Grilled Pineapple Relish
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 6:24 pmThanks, Savita :)!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
July 2, 2015 at 11:46 amWhat a cute idea! I love that you made these individual pizzas… and into flag shapes!!!!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun recently posted…Cheesecake Stuffed Dark Chocolate Cake
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:49 amThanks, Sam!
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
July 1, 2015 at 4:26 pmIs it weird that I’ve put more thought into my outfit for the 4th than the food? I painted my toenails red, bought a new blue shirt to wear with white shorts and plan on painting my fingernails red too. Anyway, these little fruit pizzas are adorable! I used to hate baking, but have grown to enjoy it. I totally agree with you though – I’d rather cook and eat savory food any day. I’d take seconds of the meal over dessert!
Keri @ Fashionable Foods recently posted…Top 5 Gluten-Free Recipes for the 4th of July
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:42 amHaha no that’s not weird at all! I am definitely going to work hard on decking my outfit out in red white and blue! And I’ll definitely be painting my nails too! Maybe I’ll learn to love baking someday too…maybe :).
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
July 1, 2015 at 3:40 pmAnnie, these flag cookies are adorable! I wasn’t there, but I’d say your strug fest was totally worth it! I love how you just made do with what you have – tupperware and a pizza cutter! :) Ah Boone, you naughty boy!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Breakfast Pizza
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:43 amThanks, Rachelle! Haha, it’s either that or go out and spend money on stuff I will probably use like twice a year!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
July 1, 2015 at 10:46 amI don’t know what you’re talking about. It seems like this time you + baking = amazing!! These are so cute!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness recently posted…Healthy Peanut Butter and Raisin Oatmeal Bars
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:44 amBy the final pictures it may look like me + baking = amazing….but it definitely me + baking = strug fest for hours ;). Thanks, Cathleen!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
July 1, 2015 at 9:05 amThese are so cute! I think they are the perfect treat for the 4th!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop recently posted…Mint Dark Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:44 amThanks, Kathy!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
July 1, 2015 at 7:32 amHow cute are these little fruit pizzas. I hope you have an amazing 4th July. It has been around 7 years since I was in the U.S for 4th July, but I sure did have an amazing time!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Feta, Avocado and Roasted Red Pepper Sandwich by Dannii
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:45 amThanks, Dannii! 4th of July is definitely a fun time here :).
Ali says
July 1, 2015 at 7:09 amIt’s the little things in life (like fruit pizzas) that make the world go around! I know my niece and nephew would gobble these up and they would be so fun to make with them! Such a cute idea, Annie! :)
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:45 amHaha yes it is, Ali! These would definitely be fun to make with a few little kiddies.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
July 1, 2015 at 5:16 amLoved this stunning looking fruity pizza, Annie! Looks irresistible with these beautiful and vibrant colors!:)
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:46 amThanks, Anu!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
July 1, 2015 at 5:01 amThese are so pretty and festive, Annie! Love that you made your own cookie dough! They’re perfect for the 4th!
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:47 amThanks, Kelly!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
June 30, 2015 at 4:56 pmMy hubby’s favorite cookie is ‘sugar’. Thanks for passing along this recipe and for sharing such adorable decorating! Have a great weekend!
Annie Chesson says
June 30, 2015 at 10:05 pmThen he would love this, Annie!! Thank you :).
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
June 30, 2015 at 3:27 pmThese are so fun and festive!
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks recently posted…Paleo Peach & Ginger Muffins
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:47 amThanks, Dani!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
June 30, 2015 at 2:42 pmEven though you don’t like baking much, these pizzas look gorgeous! And I love that you made homemade dough. I do like baking but take shortcuts every now and then…sometimes it’s a necessity! :) Love how festive these are, Annie!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Sweet and Spicy Trail Mix
Annie Chesson says
July 2, 2015 at 11:48 amThank you, Gayle!! Oh yeah…I will take short cuts with baking whenever I can and feel no shame about it, haha!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
June 30, 2015 at 1:37 pmThese fruit cookie pizzas are so amazingly perfect for the 4th of July! Love that you made a homemade sugar cookie dough for them!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen recently posted…Chocolate Zucchini Sheet Cake And White Lily’s New Premium Flours
Annie Chesson says
June 30, 2015 at 2:16 pmThanks, Christin! I tried to be lazy and avoid the homemade sugar cookie dough…but I ended up giving in!
Cailee says
June 30, 2015 at 12:22 pmWow! This looks amazing! SO beautiful and perfect for the 4th of July!! I just love Patriotic fun desserts for this time of year! SO cute!
Cailee recently posted…REST!
Annie Chesson says
June 30, 2015 at 12:27 pmThanks, Cailee! Me too :).