Super Bowl Cookies

The Super Bowl is almost here and it’s a fun event, whether you’re a real football fan or just like a good party. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the New York Jets in the A.F.C. Championship and, in a real nail-biter; the New Orleans Saints prevailed over the Minnesota Vikings in the third N.F.C. Championship game ever to be decided in overtime. The Colts have played in three Super Bowls, and have won two. But the Saints have never, in their 40-plus years of playing as a team, made it to the Big Game. So it should be an exciting contest.

Food-wise, Super Bowl parties aren’t the time to be fancy or avant-garde. Beer, salty snacks, and hearty foods like chili and guacamole are perennial favorites for a reason—they’re flavorful and fuss-free. Rolled cookies in football-related shapes can pull double duty as dessert and decoration. I’m no sports analyst, but from a cookie decorating perspective, this year’s teams make a great match-up: In addition to footballs, football helmets, and jerseys, if you’re a Saints fan you can use our Fleur de Lis cookie cutter. If you’re rooting for the Colts, you can choose our Horseshoe cookie cutter or Horse Head cookie cutter.

In honor of Miami, this year’s Super Bowl host city, I gave this week’s cookie recipe a bright citrus flavor by adding lime zest and juice, and topped the cookies with a tangy lime icing. If you don’t want to take the time to re-create the team colors and logos, simply bake the cookies and spread the icing on. Either way, they’ll disappear before you can yell “Touchdown!”

Ann
Ann Clark, Ltd.


Zesty Lime Cookies
Makes about 18 cookies
You will need two limes for the cookies and icing; be sure to zest them before juicing them. If you are using the icing to pipe decorations on the cookies, rather than simply frosting them, be sure to strain the pulp from the lime juice.

Process together in a food processor about 15 seconds:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated lime zest

Beat with an electric mixer
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- Lime sugar from above

Add and mix:
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Whisk together, then add and beat to incorporate:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill until firm. Preheat oven to 350º. Roll dough out on a lightly floured counter to 1/4-inch thickness and cut with your favorite Ann Clark cookie cutters, then transfer cookies onto cookie sheets that have been lined with parchment paper or silicone liners. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until very lightly browned around the edges. Let cookies cool slightly on cookie sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and decorate, if desired, before serving.

Lime Icing
Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, mix with 3 cups confectioners’ sugar, 4 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and a pinch salt until smooth.

My favorite shapes for Zesty Lime Cookies include the T Shirt cookie cutter, the Football cookie cutter, the Football Helmet cookie cutter, the Fleur de Lis cookie cutter and the Horseshoe cookie cutter.