The first American flag had 13 white stars on a blue background.

Two hundred and fifty years later, there are 50 stars, representing each of the United States.

Fun multi-generational activity for July 4, bake cookies in the shape of stars.

Have on hand sprinkles and little stars to decorate, food coloring for frosting – in lots of different colors.

Here’s our recipe, but any cookie recipe you know will be fine.

Recipe makes 50+ stars, using a 2 ½ inch cookie cutter.

(In our collage are bigger and smaller cookies, but all were same size.)

Star Spice Cookies

1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup molasses
3 cups flour (additional 1/4 cup may be needed)
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg lightly beaten

Combine brown sugar, butter and molasses in small sauce pan and heat to boiling point, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and pour into stand mixer bowl. Allow to cool.

In medium bowl, combine flour, allspice, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, soda and salt.

Add egg to sugar-molasses-butter mixture, and beat with mixer until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture until a stiff dough forms.

Shape dough into two thick, flat rounds and refrigerate four hours, or overnight. (Dough may be prepared and refrigerated up to one week ahead).

Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes in stars, trees, cats, pigs, rocking horse, angels, etc.

Transfer to baking sheets, lined with parchment paper.

Bake at 350 degrees 8 – 10 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. Cookies will be firm, but not dark. Cool on wire rack.

When you’re ready to decorate the cookies, make the frosting. To decorate the cookies, lay out out frosting in different cups, paint brushes, and lots of different sugar sprinkles.

Lay out wax paper for the finished cookies, so everyone can admire all the original designs. Store cookies in air tight container.

Frosting

3 egg whites
1 lb powdered sugar, sifted
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Food coloring (we use Americolor gel food coloring)
Water (to thin frosting if needed)

Beat egg whites until foamy. Add sugar and lemon juice. Beat until very smooth and consistency of heavy cream.

Divide the frosting into 6 – 8 small glass cups, add different color food coloring to each cup. Have paint brushes for each color.

 

Thirteen stars for thirteen colonies that fought again tyranny and won.

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