My heart beats true for the red, white and blue

Yep....that's red, white and blue sugar cookie dough! If you're looking for something to bring to a 4th of July get together or maybe pack in a care package for a soldier, these are really fun...and easy!

I originally planned to cover the tops of these in royal icing, but once they came out of the oven, I thought they didn't need much embellishment at all. A little royal icing, some sprinkles, you're set.

First, you'll need to make your sugar cookie dough and divide it into 3 equal (ish) sections. Tinting dough is easy, but don't try it with your mixer. Using AmeriColor Soft Gel Paste Food Color knead the color in with your hands....not on your counter. I used AmeriColor Super Red and Royal Blue. Just a few drops will do it.

Roll out the dough on separate pieces of wax paper. Roll it thinner than normal, about 1/8 inch. Stack the colors on top of one another. Roll lightly until the dough is the thickness you want.

Cut with floured cookie cutters, getting the shapes as close to each other as possible.

{I wasn't even sure this would work, but when the stars were cut out, I started to get excited. There may be a tinted-layered-dough obsession starting at Bake at 350. You've been warned.}

Place the cut-outs on cookies sheets and pop in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before baking.

If you're like me, you hate to see cookie dough go to waste. This dough can be re-rolled ONE time for a psychedelic patriotic look. If you try to re-roll it again, it starts to look muddied.

To decorate, make some royal icing and pipe only the edges (I used a #4 tip). Sprinkle with white sanding or sparkling sugar....

....or non-pareils.

You know....I think they're pretty cute without the royal icing, too!

So, for all you Americans out there...have a wonderful Independence Day! Be safe!

And for our international readers....we'll eat a hot dog (and cookie) for you! You guys be safe, too!