Watermelon Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookies
Soft, pastel-pink sugar cookies delicately flavored with watermelon extract and real vanilla bean. These cookies are lightly crisp at the edges, tender in the center, and perfumed with a nostalgic watermelon aroma balanced by warm vanilla.
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 120kcal
Cost $8 per batch
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop (optional)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup 150 g granulated sugar
- ½ cup 113 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg room temperature
- Seeds from 1 vanilla bean or 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1–1½ tsp watermelon extract start with 1 tsp
- 1¾ cups 220 g all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- Optional: pink food coloring very small amount
- Optional garnish: coarse sugar white sanding sugar, or pink crystal sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg until fully incorporated.
- Add vanilla bean seeds and watermelon extract; mix until evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined.
- If using food coloring, fold in a tiny amount for a soft pastel pink.
- Scoop dough into 1½-tablespoon portions and roll gently into balls.
- Roll tops in sanding sugar if desired.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly soft.
- Cool on pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Watermelon extract varies in strength; add gradually and taste the dough aroma before baking.
- These cookies should stay pale — avoid overbaking to preserve softness and color.
- Vanilla bean paste works beautifully if whole beans aren’t available.
- For extra softness, chill dough for 20 minutes before baking.
Flavor Variations
- Watermelon Creamsicle: Add ¼ tsp almond extract
- Sparkling Watermelon: Add lemon zest (½ tsp)
- Strawberry-Watermelon: Replace ½ tsp watermelon extract with strawberry extract