Beach Sugar Cookies
Beach sugar cookies are the cutest no-fuss summer treat, decorated like tiny beach scenes with blue “water” icing, graham cracker sand, gummy floaties, and teddy graham swimmers under little paper umbrellas.
They’re easy enough for kids to help assemble and perfect for pool parties, beach birthdays, or vacation-themed dessert tables.
Using simple store-bought candies and sprinkles makes decorating fun instead of stressful, so you can create playful summer cookies that look impressive but come together quickly.
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Why You’ll Love These Beach Sugar Cookies
- Easy to decorate with store-bought candy
- Perfect for summer parties & beach themes
- Fun baking activity for kids
- Great make-ahead cookies
- Uses simple round cookie cutters (3″ or 4″)
How to Make Beach Scene Sugar Cookies
- This recipe uses 3-inch and 4-inch round cookie cutters — the 4-inch size makes a larger cookie that gives more room for decorating the beach scene.
- The cookie base is a soft sour-cream sugar cookie dough that rolls easily and holds its shape well when baked.
- Dough chills for 30 minutes before rolling, which helps prevent spreading.
- Cookies are rolled to about ¼-inch thick and baked until lightly golden on the bottoms.
- Vanilla buttercream frosting is tinted with teal and royal blue gel food coloring to create the ocean effect.
- Crushed graham crackers are added to one side of each cookie to create realistic edible “sand.”
- These cookies are easiest to decorate once completely cooled, so the frosting spreads smoothly and decorations stay in place.
- Decorate the cookies with graham cracker crumbs, candy fish, teddy grahams, gummy candies, sugar pearls, and mini umbrellas to create fun beach scenes.
Don’t Forget To…
- Scroll down to print the full recipe with step-by-step instructions and exact measurements.
- Check out my Kitchen Essentials for the pans, mixing bowls, and baking tools I use to make this recipe a breeze.
- Save or share this recipe on Pinterest!
CUNSENR Cooling Rack for Baking and Cooking – 10HONGBAKE Baking Sheet Pan Set of 3, Cookie Sheets for Oven, Nonstick Half/Quarter/Jelly Roll Pans with Diamond Texture Pattern, 0.8mm Thick Heavy Duty Cookie Tray, Champagne Gold
JUNADAEL J Medium Cookie Scoop, 2 Tablespoon Cookie Scoops for Baking, Cookie Dough Scoop, Spring-Loaded, Comfortable Grip, Non-Slip, For Making Cookies Muffin Cupcake Pancake Ice Cream Meatball
Reynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets, Pre-Cut Baking Parchment Paper Sheets for Cookies, Oven-Safe up to 425 Degrees, Reusable Up to 3X, No-Mess Cleanup, 12 in x 16 in, 22 Count
Tips for Making Beach Cookies
- Use 3–4 decorating elements per cookie for the best look
- Let frosting set slightly before adding candy
- Press umbrellas in gently after frosting
- Mix teal + royal blue icing for realistic ocean color
- Use graham cracker crumbs for the most natural “sand” texture
Yes! Simply roll the dough slightly thinner before cutting so the cookies bake evenly and hold decorations well. This shortcut is especially helpful when making cookies with kids or preparing treats for a summer party.
Yes, you can bake the sugar cookies up to two days in advance and store them in an airtight container before decorating. You can also freeze undecorated cookies for up to three months and decorate them when ready to serve.
Store cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container at room temperature. Because they include candy decorations and frosting, they’re best enjoyed within 3–4 days for the freshest texture. Avoid stacking cookies unless the frosting has fully set.
If you’re planning a fun summer dessert spread, be sure to check out these creative treats that pair perfectly with your beach-themed cookies and help make your party table feel extra festive and playful.
- Summer Cookie Recipes like Beach ball sugar cookies or Mermaid cookies add bright colors and whimsical designs to your dessert table and are perfect for pool parties, Shark Week snacks, or beach birthday celebrations with kids.
- Beach Party Desserts like these fun cookie ideas help you create an easy coastal-themed treat lineup that feels special without requiring complicated decorating skills.
Cookie Cutter Set, 3 Pc Kit, Measuring 2”, 3”, and 4”, Round Metal Baking Rings for Pastry, Biscuits, and Dough Cutting, Heavy Duty and Reusable, Multiple Sizes
Chefmaster Teal Green Gel Food Coloring | Vibrant Color | Professional-Grade Dye for Icing, Frosting, Fondant | Baking & Decorating | Fade-Resistant | Easy-to-Use | Made in USA | 1 ozChefmaster Royal Blue Gel Food Coloring | Vibrant Color | Professional-Grade Dye for Icing, Frosting, Fondant | Baking & Decorating | Fade-Resistant | Easy-to-Use | Made in USA | 1 ozWilton White Sugar Pearl Sprinkles, Edible Cake Pearls for Wedding Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies & Desserts, Elegant Pearlescent Sprinkles for Special Occasions, 4.9 ozLife Savers 5 Flavors Gummies Candy Bag, Gummy Candy for Goodie Bags, Road Trips, Treats, 26 oz (Pack of 6)Life Savers Exotics Gummy Candy, 7 oz BagSourZap Sour Belts | 8-Ounce Pack | Gummy Candy | Assorted Fruit FlavorsSwedish Fish Mini Soft & Chewy Gummy Candy, Family Size, Bulk Candy, 1.8 lb
Beach Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup butter softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 cups all purpose flour plus more for rolling
- 1 tsp baking soda
Frosting & Decorations
- 16 oz white/vanilla frosting
- blue food coloring (Wilton teal + royal blue mixed)
- Finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- Party umbrella toothpicks
- Swedish Fish
- Goldfish S’mores marshmallow fish
- Teddy Grahams
- Rainbow Sour Belts
- Life Saver Gummies Collisions
- White sugar pearl sprinkles
Instructions
Make the cookies
- In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl halfway through mixing.
- Add sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
- Add 3 cups of flour and baking soda. Mix just until combined.
- Add remaining 3 cups flour and mix until dough forms.
- Cover dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll & Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a work surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut dough using 3-inch or 4-inch round cookie cutters and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 7–9 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly golden.
- Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Decorate the Cookies
- Tint vanilla frosting with teal and royal blue food coloring to create an ocean color.
- Spread frosting over each cooled cookie.
- Sprinkle crushed graham crackers onto one side of each cookie to create “sand,” then insert a paper umbrella.
- Insert cheering teddy grahams into Life Saver Gummies to create floaties and place onto cookies.
- Trim rainbow sour belts to fit around teddy grahams and attach with a small amount of frosting to create additional floaties.
- Add Swedish Fish and marshmallow fish candies to decorate the ocean scene.
- Finish by adding white sugar pearls to resemble bubbles.
Notes
- Dough can be refrigerated up to 2 days
- Baked cookies freeze up to 3 months
- Decorated cookies store 3–4 days airtight
- Best decorated the same day for freshest candy texture
