BAM!  These lightning bolt spice cookies are supercharged with yummy flavors like sweet cloves and cardamom with just a dash of spice here and there to keep the cookie delightful for your little ones. These bright and whimsical spice cookies are just the beginning of creating a few desserts for our fun kid party theme that we’re calling – ‘Kapow!’

Things you will need:

1. Lightning Bolt Cookie Cutters
2. Sanding Sugar (see homemade instructions) and Food Coloring

This Sweet Nerd stays humble in the kitchen as there are often many pinterest-fails that happen such as collapsing cakes, under cooked dough, or frosting debacles so I love to learn from experts around me. I often take my cues from some awesome bloggers and vendors in the baking community.  Have you ever wondered how to create your own sparkle glitter?

Check out these cats at Sharis Berries and dive into their easy how-to glitter tutorials.  I loved the color variation and decided to give it a whirl. It was easy-peasy.  But, trust me, I know what it’s like when you find yourself between soccer and PTA meetings, so another option to save time is to buy colors pre-made at Michael’s, Jo-ann Fabric, or Amazon.

This is a simple basic cookie dough recipe with just a sprinkle of spice to give it that kick-charge.  It is a lightning bolt party after all…you feel me?!?  Once you roll out the dough and cut the shapes, put a light dab of water on the face of the cookie so the glitter will adhere and give you full coverage.  Dab lightly!  

After you dab, flip that cookie into the sanding sugar like you are giving it a little glitter bath.  Yep, all in baby – go glittery crazy!

I love the flashiness of these bright-colored spice cookies.  But wait, you can’t eat them yet.  It’s time to pop them into the oven to bake!

Once baked, these cookies are so light, airy, and flavorful.  My little Liam did notice the spice and sort of got snooty as he’s a “regular-cookie” kind of kid.  So, if you have some of those regular kids in the family, just nix the spices and the cookie will still be lovely.

As you’ll notice, this “Kapow” theme will keep growing and growing as it was inspired by a superhero theme called ‘zap’ by Meri-Meri. They design all things fun for kids. I purchased these delightful products from one of my fave vendors, Shop Sweet Lulu.

Check back for the “Kapow” cupcakes and how to throw a killer party!  Here’s a hint for Thursday’s surprise: Red. Moist. Whipped.

Photos by: Maria Hedrick Photography

Bon Appetit Spice Cookies

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Simple Lightning Bolt Sugar Cookies

By TheSweetNerd  Cookies

May 30, 2017

Bon Appetit Cookie Credit

• Prep: 25 mins
• Cook: 10 mins

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, chilled

½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup (packed) light brown sugar

2 large egg yolks

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons ground ginger

½ teaspoon ground cardamom, cloves, or nutmeg

¼ teaspoon baking powder

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, plus more for surface

Colored sanding sugars

Assorted cookie cutters

Directions

1Process butter in a food processor until smooth. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar and process until thoroughly blended into butter, about 1 minute. Add egg yolks and vanilla; process until mixture is smooth and looks glossy, about 30 seconds. Add salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, baking powder, and 2 cups plus 2 Tbsp. flour; pulse until dough comes together around the blade. Turn out onto a work surface and knead a couple of times to incorporate any floury bits. Divide dough in half; pat into two ½"-thick disks. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, 45–60 minutes.

2Let dough sit 5 minutes at room temperature to soften slightly.

3Preheat oven to 350°. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼" thick. Punch out cookies with cookie cutters and transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing at least 1" apart. Sprinkle with sanding sugar, if using, and press in lightly to adhere. Gather up scraps and reroll once. Chill cookies on baking sheets until firm, 5–10 minutes, then bake until edges are golden brown, 12–18 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on baking sheet; transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

4Do Ahead: Dough can be made 1 month ahead; freeze instead of chilling.

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