As Americans we celebrate the 4th of July in many ways—with fireworks, displays, parades, ceremonies, cookouts and picnics. Our flag, the tri-colored red, white and blue has gone through many changes and has grown since 1776. Betsy Ross was the creator of the first flag that still boasts the 13 red and white stripes, but the field of blue now contains 50 white stars. As a finale for our celebration prepare a dessert decorated like an American flag. The cookie dough base is covered with white icing. Fresh blueberries represent the field of blue and fresh strawberries or raspberries the red stripes.
Preparation
time: About 30 minutes.
Equipment you’ll
need: 9 x 13 x 1 inch baking pan,
table knife, spatula, colander, serving spatula and cooling rack.
Safety: Use
dry potholders to put baking pan into the oven and to remove.
Rinse berries in
cold water to remove any harmful pesticides or sprays. Ask for adult
supervision when opening cookie dough package.
Recipe:
1 18-ounce package sugar cookie dough
1 16-ounce can prepared creamy white frosting
1 cup fresh blueberries (50 berries)
2 cups fresh strawberries or raspberries
1. Coat a 13 x 9 x 1-inch baking pan with a
spray of canola oil.
2. Lightly flour hands. Press cookie dough evenly into baking pan.
3. Bake at 350-degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Do
not over bake!
4. Place hot baking pan on cooling rack or
trivet.
5. Let cookie cool completely. Using a spatula, frost evenly with icing.
6. Place blueberries and
raspberries/strawberries (hulled) in a colander and rinse with cold water.
7. In upper left hand corner place 50
blueberries in a 4-inch by 5-inch rectangle.
8. Proceed by placing strawberries/raspberries
in 5 or 7 stripes.
Cut larger strawberries in half or
thirds. Place cut side down.
9. Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap
and refrigerate. Serve from baking pan.
Clean up: Put leftover berries in plastic bags or
crisper drawer. Turn off oven and clean
counters. Leave a clean kitchen!
Carolyn Gass Hardimon, M. S.
Family and Consumer Science
Home Economist