Red White and Blue Cookies |Cooking With Amanda

Here in Arkansas, we love lighting things on fire on the Fourth of July.

Massive fireworks stands have dotted roadsides for weeks, tempting even the most begrudging redneck. I can't lie — I'm not a huge fan of all the sparks and popping noises, but even I have difficulty walking away from the brightly packaged firecrackers. The look like toys and candy and have names like Tangerine Dream, Skyburst, and Blueberry Moonshine. It's all a little confusing to the senses.

I have been told that there are states where fireworks stands do not exist, and this is hard for me to imagine. But then again, I've also been told that drive-through liquor stores aren't legal in every state, and this blows my mind. We have them on every block here. What are you supposed to do when you want wine in New Jersey? You actually have to get out of your car and walk inside the store?

That's absolutely bananas. How are you supposed to get any drinking done in those kinds of conditions? If an errand hinges on me getting out of the car, it's most likely not happening.

When we aren't lighting things on fire for the Fourth of July, we are eating. Any southerner worth her salt knows that a party isn't a party without picnic tables loaded down with food. From deviled eggs to every kind of "salad" you can imagine (potato salad, pasta salad, Jell-o salad), and a generous helping of desserts, food definitely makes or breaks any celebration.

On the off chance that you have room for one more dessert on your party table, I highly recommend these Red White and Blue Cookies. Not only are they so fun to look at, but you can whip them up in no time and the kiddos LOVE them!

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Red White and Blue Cookies Recipe

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Ingredients

For the Cookies:

1 box white cake mix, about 16 ounces
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
red food coloring
blue food coloring

For the Glaze:

1 tablespoon warm water
1/3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. In the bowl of your mixer, combine cake mix, eggs, and oil and beat on medium speed until a dough is formed. Divide dough in half. Color one half of the dough red and the other half blue.
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out one ball of each dough. Press together, then roll gently in your hands so that they form one ball. Place on baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Repeat with remaining dough.
Bake for about 7-9 minutes or until edges are slightly golden brown and tops are crackled. Let cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together water, vanilla, and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread on cooled cookies. Let harden before serving.