Planning a baby shower? Forget store-bought cookies! Impress your guests with these adorable and delicious homemade cookies, perfect for celebrating the upcoming arrival. These easy recipes are designed to be manageable, even for novice bakers, ensuring you can focus on enjoying the shower itself. Whether you're looking for quick dinner ideas before the party or delightful treats to serve, these recipes deliver both taste and charm.
Adorable Animal Crackers
These cute animal crackers are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. They're easy to make and customize, offering a fun, interactive element to your baking experience. These healthy meal alternatives are naturally sweeter than many other store bought options.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Food coloring (various colors)
- Animal cookie cutters
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide the dough into several bowls. Add a different food coloring to each bowl and mix until evenly distributed.
- Roll out each colored dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use your animal cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations:
- For extra flavor, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough.
- Use different cookie cutters to create a variety of shapes.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with icing or sprinkles for an extra touch of flair.
Elegant Sugar Cookies
These classic sugar cookies offer a sophisticated touch to your baby shower. The simple recipe is easily adaptable, allowing for creative decorating that perfectly matches your shower's theme. They're a delicious addition to any gathering, offering a simple but effective homemade cooking experience.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Royal icing (recipe below)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions:
- Follow steps 1-6 from the Animal Cracker recipe.
- Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cool, decorate with royal icing and sprinkles.
Royal Icing Recipe:
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons meringue powder
- 6-8 tablespoons water
- Food coloring (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a mixer and beat until stiff peaks form.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
Calories will vary depending on size and added decorations. Both recipes provide a relatively low-calorie option compared to many commercially available cookies.
These delicious and easy recipes are perfect for adding a homemade touch to your baby shower. Enjoy the baking process and the joyous celebration!