How to Spice Up a Basic Sugar Cookie

I admit it – sweets are my weakness. But, while I love to bake – I have much more enthusiasm than skill, lol. So I rely on lots of clever shortcuts, and am more of a Semi-Homemade type of girl. Buying store-bought desserts is no fun – but jazzing up some cookies from a mix is something that I CAN handle – and it makes me feel like less of a failure in the kitchen. If you’re not cooking show material either – or maybe are just looking for some simple ideas to use when you don’t have time for baking from scratch, keep readin’ sister.

McCormick Look Book Baking Inspiration

For those of you who are better homemakers than I am, and regularly bake desserts for your family from scratch – you will find some AMAZINGLY delicious ideas in the new McCormick Look Book. It’s filled with perfect picks for spring entertaining – and you can search by Cakes & Cookies, Brunch Gathering, Spring Cakes, and more. I pinned a TON of good stuff onto my cakes, cookies, pops – oh my! board, and you can find more yummies on the Spring Baking Pin-spiration board from McCormick too. {Because you needed another reason to hop onto Pinterest today, right?} Since there were so many great ideas there, I used them to inspire some shortcuts to great treats, using some of my favorite supplies from McCormick! I tested out a ton, and let the family pick their favorites. Here are the winners:

1. Cinnamon & Sugar: I loved the idea of this cookie; it reminds me of a snickerdoodle. McCormick has a great recipe in the Look Book that you can try. For a simplified version – use refrigerated sugar cookie dough, and simply roll it in a mixture of sugar and McCormick Cinnamon, then bake as directed. Yum!
2. Colored Cookies: This is a similar idea – use the great recipe in the Look Book for Colorful Sugar Cookies; or for an easy alternative, substitute refrigerated cookie dough, but follow the steps to make the colored sugar using McCormick’s easy to use food coloring. This would be fun to match a kiddo’s birthday party colors!
3. Lemon-Coconut Cookies: This one isn’t from the Look Book – but I wanted to create something fun for spring using McCormick’s Lemon Extract. I used a boxed sugar cookie mix, then added 1 tsp of the extract, and a 1/2 cup of toasted coconut. Soooo good! {Also, you can experiment with using ANY of McCormick’s extracts into a sugar cookie mix – they’ll fool people into thinking you made them from scratch.}
4. Colorful Cookie Glaze: Want to add a glaze to your cookies? You can use this great recipe from the Look Book for Cookie Glaze – or if you need a lazy girl option, you can simply add a few drops of their food coloring to regular store-bought frosting, then melt it a bit in the microwave. It’ll pour on just like a glaze!

So, whether you’re a totally skilled baking ninja, a busy mom just looking for some short-cuts to save time, or a bit of a kitchen klutz like me – you’ll find some great spring baking inspiration and ideas in the new McCormick Look Book!

What’s YOUR favorite Baking Tip?

Do you have a great short-cut idea to share? I’d LOVE to hear them! Did you find a new recipe to try in the Look Book? {I’m going to try the Orange-Kissed Brownies next!} And do you use McCormick for your baking too – what’s your fave to use? {Obviously I’m a big fan of the extracts! They totally help me make store-bought supplies a lot sassier!} I love hearing from you guys.

{Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for McCormick. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for participating. Photo Credit.}