Dive into Deliciousness: Fun and Easy Under the Sea Cookies for Summer!
Get ready to make a splash in your kitchen with these enchanting Under the Sea Cookies! Imagine soft, delightful sugar cookies transformed into vibrant ocean scenes, complete with playful gummy fish and sharks, crunchy chocolate rocks, and a shimmering brown sugar ocean floor. These whimsical treats are absolutely perfect for celebrating summer, ocean-themed parties, or simply bringing a bit of underwater magic to your family’s day. They are not just cookies; they’re an edible adventure that promises smiles and delicious memories!
Creating these ocean-inspired cookies is an engaging activity for all ages, particularly for families with a love for marine life. My own children have always been captivated by the mysteries of the deep sea. From eagerly anticipating Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week to frequent visits to local aquariums, our fascination with ocean creatures runs deep. This shared love for the aquatic world was the driving force behind these “Under the Sea” Cookies, making them as incredibly fun to bake and decorate as they are to devour. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t be elated to discover that those realistic-looking “rocks” are actually delicious chocolate? It’s a delightful surprise that adds an extra layer of joy to every bite!
For a visual guide on how to create these delightful cookies, consider checking out our video tutorial linked within the original content. It walks you through each step, making the process even simpler and more enjoyable!
Crafting Your Perfect Sugar Cookie Base
The foundation of any great decorated cookie is, of course, a fantastic sugar cookie. For these Under the Sea Cookies, a soft and flavorful sugar cookie provides the ideal canvas for your aquatic masterpiece. You have a few options for your cookie base, depending on your preference for baking from scratch or using a convenient mix:
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From-Scratch Favorites: If you enjoy baking from the ground up, we highly recommend our go-to recipes:
- Copycat Swig Sugar Cookies: Known for their soft, chewy texture and irresistible flavor, these are a consistent crowd-pleaser.
- Super Soft Sugar Cookies: As the name suggests, these cookies are exceptionally tender and hold up beautifully to frosting.
- The Convenience of a Mix: For those days when time is of the essence but you don’t want to compromise on taste, a good quality cookie mix is a lifesaver. I often opt for a Krusteaz Butter Sugar Cookie mix because of its fantastic flavor profile and incredible ease of use. There’s no need for the extra steps of rolling and cutting; simply scoop the dough with a small cookie scoop, bake, and you’re halfway to your ocean adventure! Whichever base you choose, ensure your cookies are completely cooled before you begin the decorating process to prevent your beautiful blue frosting from melting.
Under the Sea Cookie Ingredients
Gathering your supplies is the first step to creating your underwater edible art. Here’s what you’ll need for these enchanting Under the Sea Sugar Cookies:
- Sugar cookies, baked and completely cooled (using one of the recipes above or your favorite mix)
- Vanilla buttercream frosting, colored a vibrant blue
- Chocolate rocks (these add an amazing realistic touch!)
- Swedish fish and/or blue shark gummy candies
- Dory fish candy (or similar character candies, often found at craft stores or candy shops like Michael’s)
- 1 crushed graham cracker (to create that perfect sandy ocean floor)
- Optional: A few other tiny fishy candies or ocean-themed sprinkles for extra detail
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Ocean-Themed Treats
Let’s dive into the fun part – assembling and decorating these adorable Under the Sea Cookies!
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Prepare the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting:
This creamy, dreamy blue frosting will be the ocean for your cookies. Start by whisking ½ cup of softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer for about 1 minute until light and fluffy. Gradually add 3 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once combined, incorporate 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. Continue mixing until the frosting is smooth, creamy, and free of lumps. For that perfect ocean hue, add approximately 20 drops of blue food coloring, or adjust until you reach your desired shade of blue. Make sure the color is evenly distributed throughout the frosting.
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Decorate Your Ocean Scene:
Now for the creative part! Take your completely cooled sugar cookies and generously spread a layer of your vibrant blue vanilla buttercream frosting across the top of each. This will form your sparkling ocean base. Next, carefully arrange a few chocolate rocks near the bottom edge of each cookie to mimic the rocky ocean floor. Then, sprinkle a little crushed graham cracker over and around the chocolate rocks. This adds a fantastic texture and color, creating the illusion of sand or silt at the bottom of your edible ocean. Finally, it’s time to add your marine life! Place one shark gummy and/or a Swedish fish on each cookie. You can also add a Dory fish candy and any other tiny fishy candies or ocean sprinkles you have to complete your underwater tableau. Get creative with placement to make each cookie unique!
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Serve and Enjoy Your Under the Sea Dessert!
That’s all there is to it! Your enchanting Under the Sea Cookies are now ready to be admired and, more importantly, enjoyed. These cookies are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, perfect for any summer gathering or a special family dessert.
Tips for Creating Perfectly Adorable Ocean Cookies
To ensure your Under the Sea Cookies are the best they can be, here are a few extra tips and considerations:
- Cooling is Key: Always make sure your sugar cookies are completely cool before frosting. Warm cookies will cause your buttercream to melt and slide right off, ruining your intricate design.
- Frosting Consistency: If your buttercream is too stiff, add milk a teaspoon at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. A good consistency is crucial for smooth application.
- Coloring the Ocean: You can experiment with different shades of blue food coloring to create a dynamic ocean. A few drops of teal or green can add depth. Gel food colorings often produce more vibrant colors with less liquid, which is ideal for frosting.
- Chocolate Rocks Alternatives: If chocolate rocks are hard to find, you can use chocolate chips, small chocolate candies, or even finely crushed Oreos for a dark, rocky seabed effect.
- Gummy Variety: Don’t limit yourself to just sharks and Swedish fish! Explore other gummy candies like worms, octopus, or even seaweed-shaped gummies to add more variety to your ocean scene. Small pearl sprinkles can also mimic tiny bubbles.
- Storage: Store your decorated Under the Sea Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If stacking, place parchment paper between layers to prevent the frosting and decorations from sticking.
- Make-Ahead Options: You can bake the sugar cookies several days in advance and store them in an airtight container. The buttercream frosting can also be made a few days ahead and stored in the refrigerator; just bring it to room temperature and re-whip before decorating.
- Engage the Kids: This recipe is fantastic for involving children in the kitchen. Let them take charge of placing the gummy creatures and sprinkling the “sand” – it’s a wonderful way to foster creativity and fine motor skills!
Why These Under the Sea Cookies Are a Must-Make This Summer
These aren’t just any sugar cookies; they are an experience! Their vibrant appearance immediately captures attention, making them a standout at any summer party, birthday celebration, or playdate. The combination of the soft, sweet cookie base with the creamy vanilla frosting and playful candy toppers creates a delightful sensory experience. They are easily customizable, allowing for endless creativity, and are a fantastic way to celebrate a love for the ocean. Plus, they’re simple enough for even beginner bakers to master, ensuring a rewarding and delicious outcome every time. Get ready for compliments and eager smiles when you present these charming marine-themed treats!
If you like our Under the Sea Cookies, try a few of our other favorite Summer cookies:
Looking for more delicious ways to celebrate the sunny season? We have a collection of fantastic summer-themed cookie recipes that are just as fun and flavorful. From fruity delights to patriotic treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Expand your baking repertoire with these seasonal favorites:
- Marshmallow Flower Cookies
- Watermelon Sugar Cookies
- Blueberry Banana Cookies
- Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies
- Swirled Patriotic Cookie Bars
Under the Sea Cookies
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Ingredients
- Sugar cookies baked and cooled (approx. 12-18 cookies depending on size)
- Vanilla buttercream frosting colored blue
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 TBSP milk
- Blue food coloring (approx. 20 drops or to desired shade)
- Chocolate rocks (edible candy rocks)
- Swedish fish and/or blue shark gummy candies
- Dory fish candy or similar small fish candies
- 1 crushed graham cracker (for the sand effect)
- Tiny fishy candies (optional, for extra detail)
Instructions
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Prepare the Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, whisk ½ cup of softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer for 1 minute until creamy. Gradually add 3 cups of powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. Continue mixing on low speed until smooth and well combined. Add approximately 20 drops of blue food coloring (or more/less to achieve your desired ocean blue shade) and mix until the color is evenly distributed throughout the frosting.
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Decorate the Cookies: Take your completely cooled sugar cookies. Spread a generous layer of the blue vanilla buttercream frosting evenly over the top of each cookie, creating your ocean base. Arrange a few chocolate rocks near the bottom edge of each cookie to simulate the rocky seabed. Sprinkle a little crushed graham cracker over and around the rocks, gently pressing it onto the frosting to create a sandy ocean floor effect.
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Add Marine Life: Carefully place 1 shark gummy and/or Swedish fish on each cookie. Add a Dory fish candy and a few other tiny fishy candies or sprinkles to complete your charming underwater scene. Get creative with your placement to make each cookie unique!
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Serve and Enjoy: Your delightful Under the Sea Cookies are now ready to be served! These treats are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Speaking of our enduring love for ocean life, I wanted to share a heartwarming memory. This fun photo captures my middle son’s pure joy at a local aquarium we frequent. This particular aquarium has an interactive touch tank that truly encourages kids to connect with and experience sea life firsthand. It’s a truly special place for us, and we make it a point to visit a few times every year. In this picture, you can see my son excitedly saying hello to a wonderfully cute stingray. While I may not be an expert on all varieties of stingrays, the ones they have at this aquarium are absolutely comical! They often gracefully extend several inches out of the water, no doubt hoping for a tasty snack, and they seem completely unbothered by the eager little hands reaching out to gently touch them. It’s these kinds of cherished family moments and our shared wonder for the natural world that often inspire the most creative and joyful baking projects, like these delightful Under the Sea Cookies.