Stay Cool Imprinted Cookies are crunchy sugar cookies with a positive message stamped on top. Snowflakes and icy blue decorating sugar are sure to bring cooling thoughts to mind, even in summer heat. These mind-over-matter treats are ideal for hot weather care package shipping.
During the hot weather months, care package contents should fit in the “unlikely to melt” category. Iced sugar cookies don’t make the cut.
To continue sending decorated circle cookies in military care packages, I have to come up with alternative decorating methods. This summer I’ve used shapes, colors, and sparkle to enhance eye catching potential for circle cookies.
The theme of this care package is “Stay Cool” with a double meaning. The box is filled with items I hope will help Soldier L. feel a little less overheated in the still very hot temperatures in Kuwait.
Perhaps thinking about cool temperatures will provide some “mind over matter” relief too! Snoopy’s Joe Cool persona let’s Soldier L. know I think he is a pretty cool guy regardless of the weather.
Care package contents
- To get the “cool” mind set going, the box is lined with snowflake wrapping paper, clip-art Joe Cool figures, and thought bubbles urging Soldier L. to “Think Cool”, “Be Cool”, and “Stay Cool”. I attached Soldier L.’s address to the flap that is empty in the photo.
- The box is filled with anything I could find that offers cooling to the body, taste buds, or spirit. A cool- down towel, wipes, icy puzzle cube, coloring books, and a stuffed puppy aid the body and spirit.
- Mint gum, cooler candy, drink mix, and popsicles should chill the taste buds.
Circle sugar cookies tips
- Stamping is a quick and easy way to add interest (and a message) to many types of plain cookies. For imprinting or molding, usually the less rising agent in the recipe the better. Designs won’t be clear on a cookie that puffs up when baked. Recipes for molded Christmas springerle and gingerbread, often have no rising agent at all.
- I used my favorite desert safe sugar cookie recipe for Stay Cool Imprinted Cookies, even though the recipe does use 2 teaspoons of baking powder. I knew from past uses that the cookies rise very little and this crunchy vanilla cookie doesn’t need add-ins to be delicious.
- I purchased my imprinting set from World Market. It comes with three cookie cutters, several pre-set imprinting phrases, and a bag full of alphabet letters (plus duplicates).
- The only trick to imprinting words, is to remember to slip the letters into the holder in reverse (mirror image) order. Any cookie cutter, pressed gently, partially into the dough can be used to imprint shapes.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- With an electric mixer, cream together the shortening and sugar.
- Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Add in the flour mixture.
- Refrigerate the dough until no longer sticky (about 1 hour).
- Roll out the dough to ¼" thickness.
- Cut out circles and imprint with words and/or shapes.
- Press the edges of each circle into decorating sugar.
- Place the cookies 1”-2” apart on the prepared cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
New recipe
Lemon Peppermint Cooler Cookies are the new recipe in this package. They provide a cooling rush of mint and citrus in each crunchy bite.
These flavorful cookies are a year round favorite. The refreshing lemon-peppermint combination is perfect in the heat.The peppermint bits sprinkled throughout the cookie make them a popular Christmas cookie as well!
Whatever the holiday or occasion, a message on a cookie is sure to create smiles twice.The first smile happens when the message is read. The second smile comes with a bite of cookie.Cookies may take longer to send than an email, but the message tastes a lot better!
Related recipes
Cereal Cookies are thick, crunchy cookies made with your favorite breakfast cereal!
Thin, crisp Frosted Flakes Sugar Cookies are sugar cookies coated in crushed Frosted Flakes.
Funfetti Cookies are crunchy cookies with sprinkles in the dough for a rainbow colored treat.
Raspberry Chocolate Chip Bars are chewy bar cookies that are fruity and delicious.
Apple Cider Stamped Cookies are crunchy butter cookies flavored with apple spice. This is another great recipe for stamping and embossing.
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Stay Cool Imprinted Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅔ cup butter flavored vegetable shortening Crisco
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Optional: ¼ cup decorating sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the shortening and sugar.
- Add in eggs, milk, and vanilla. Beat to combine, until smooth.
- Gradually add in the flour mixture until fully incorporated.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour, until no longer sticky.
- Roll out the dough to ¼" thickness, between sheets of parchment paper.
- Cut out circles. Remove excess dough. Imprint the dough circles with words and/or shapes. Repeat to use up the dough.
- Optional: Press the edges of each circle into decorating sugar.
- Place the cookies 1”-2” apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes. (The cookies will not be browned.) Allow to cool on the baking sheet for3 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for at least 2 weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
First Published: Octoberber1, 2016. Last Updated: October 21, 2022. Updated for additional information, improved photos, and better reader experience.
Marie
This is a fantastic care package idea! Also, that little gizmo you used to stamp the cookies is awesome. Definitely need to get my hands on one of those. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipe (and care package idea) with us at Merry Monday this week!
The Monday Box
Thanks, Marie! The stamping gizmo has been fun to play with and to personalize cookies! I got mine at World Market and William Sonoma sells one at their store and on Amazon called "Message in a Cookie". Thank you for hosting Merry Monday!
Miz Helen
Thanks so much for sharing your Stay Cool cookies with us and that special solider, these are so special. Hope you will come back to see us at Full Plate Thursday real soon and have a great week!
Miz Helen
Jasmine
I am glad I found this post and lost of great ideas for cookies. I love the many creative ways you come up with for decorating the cookies.
The Monday Box
Thanks, Jasmine! I am glad you found the post too! 🙂
Monica
Very smart way to decorate your cookies without worrying about the temps and whatnot that goes along to shipping them long distances. This would be great for the holidays. Can you believe it's October already?! Incredible... Hope you have lots of holiday cookies planned.
Paula K.
Wendy,
I have a question for you, where do you buy your espresso powder, I saw some at my large grocery store but it was a pretty big container and not sure if I want to invest $7.50 as I don't drink coffee and just want to try making your chocolate fudge cookies from a recent posting.
Paula K.
The Monday Box
Hi Paula, First, you can absolutely make the Ultimate Fudge Brownie Cookies without the espresso powder. Adding a little espresso powder to chocolate baked goods intensifies the chocolate flavor without tasting like coffee at all. Most regular grocery stores sell Medaglia Doro Instant Espresso Coffee in a 2 ounce container for $3-$4. You can keep it in the fridge or freezer and it lasts "forever". 🙂 If you do end up buying some espresso powder, take a look at my Chocolate Espresso Biscotti , one of my most popular recipes and a great long distance shipping cookie. Please let me know how the Brownie Cookies turn out! 🙂
Saltandserenity
Very cool post! (Sorry, couldn't resist)
Love those alphabet stamps. Off to World Market next time I'm in the US! I love that store.