Watermelon Cookies

  Here is one of my children's favorite summer cookies...it is adapted from a Taste of Home recipe that I found years ago.The original recipe called for currants & sesame seeds,which did not appeal to my kids,so we use mini chocolate chips instead.This is a great recipe to make with the kids,as it is like playing with Play-doh.It makes a fun addition to end of year school parties as well as all of your summer picnics.

Ingredients:
3/4 c. butter,softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. of almond OR vanilla extract
2-1/4 c. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
red and green food coloring
mini chocolate chips

   In the bowl of your mixer,cream together the butter & sugar. Add the egg and vanilla or almond extract.Add the baking powder,salt and flour,mixing just until the ingredients are blended together.

    Divide the dough in half.Add a few drops of red food coloring to one half of the dough,using your hands to work in the color well.Using your hands,roll the dough into a long log about 6 inches long,wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate.
   Divide the other half of the dough in half again.Color one half green,then wrap each piece(the green & plain) in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about a half hour.

   Remove the dough from the refrigerator.  On a lightly floured surface,roll the green dough into a rectangle measuring about 8 x 3 inches.Repeat with the plain dough.Carefully,place the plain dough on top of the green dough.Then,place the red log in the center,and wrap the sides around the red dough.You will have a log that is red in the center,surrounded by plain dough,then surrounded by green dough.Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an additional hour or up to 2 days.

    When you are ready to bake,remove the log of dough from the refrigerator. Carefully slice the cookies.Place a few mini chocolate chips in each slice. Bake at 350 degrees for about 6-8 minutes,until the cookies are firm,but not brown.As soon as you remove them from the oven,slice in half or into quarters. Enjoy!!!