Mermaid Cookies
Mermaid Cookies are soft, buttery, and just sweet enough, making them as good to eat as they are fun to look at.
With their bright colors, playful details, and touch of sparkle, they instantly stand out on any dessert table and feel special without being fussy.
This cookie recipe is perfect for mermaid parties, beach-themed celebrations, pool parties, or any time you want a dessert that feels fun and festive.
These are the kind of cookies that disappear fast, whether they’re served at a birthday party or tucked into a treat bag.
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How to Make Mermaid Tail Cookies
- You’ll start with a simple buttery sugar cookie dough that’s easy to roll and holds its shape perfectly.
- The dry ingredients are whisked together, then mixed with creamed butter, sugar, egg, and extracts until a soft dough forms.
- After rolling the dough to about ¼-inch thick, mermaid tail shapes are cut out and baked just until set, keeping the cookies light in color and tender in texture.
- These cookies should stay light in color. Pull them from the oven as soon as the edges are set to keep them soft and tender.
- Once cooled, the cookies are topped with a quick glaze made by gently melting canned white frosting.
- Food coloring can be added to create ocean-inspired shades, and edible glitter or sprinkles are added while the glaze is still warm for a shimmery finish.
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!
Absolutely. Royal icing works well if you want more detailed designs, though the melted frosting glaze is quicker and easier.
Make sure your butter isn’t too soft and avoid overmixing the dough. Chilling the cut-out cookies for 10 minutes before baking can also help.
This dough can be slightly crumbly at first. Gently knead it together with your hands and it will come together smoothly.
Nordic Ware Naturals 3 Piece Set – USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping; Half Sheet, Jelly Roll and Quarter SheetReynolds Kitchens Cookie Baking Sheets, Pre-Cut Parchment Paper,25 Count (Pack of 4), 100 Total Sheets
R&M 3.75
Americolor Soft Gel Paste Food Color, 0.75-Ounce, Teal
Americolor Soft Gel Paste Food Color, 0.75-Ounce, Regal Purple
Sugar Sprinkles 8oz-White
Looking to keep the ocean-themed fun going? These fun and helpful ideas are perfect for rounding out your dessert table and making party prep even easier.
- Mermaid Cupcakes are a colorful, crowd-pleasing treat that pair perfectly with cookies for a coordinated mermaid-themed dessert spread.
- Looking for more magical treats? Check out these mermaid party food ideas to complete your under-the-sea dessert table!
- Beachy Desserts are great for summer parties and ocean-themed celebrations when you want sweets that feel fun, bright, and seasonally perfect.
- Learn How to Store Cookies to keep them fresh, soft, and ready to serve whether you’re prepping ahead or saving leftovers.
How to Make Mermaid Tail Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 2 sticks cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the glaze:
- 1 16 ounce container white frosting
- Food coloring if desired
- Edible glitter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, blend the butter and sugar until creamy and light.
- Add egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Slowly add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Dough may be a little crumbly.
- Turn out the dough onto a surface sprinkled with powdered sugar or flour.
- Press into a ball and then roll out to ¼ inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to create shapes. Carefully lift shaped cookies to the baking sheet using a flat spatula to help the cookies maintain their shape.
- Bake cookies for 7 to 9 minutes. Do not brown the cookies.
- Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes on the baking sheet before carefully removing to a cooling rack.
- Remove the lid and foil from the frosting container. Heat in the microwave on high heat for 30 seconds. Stir well. Repeat in 15 second intervals, stirring each time, until the frosting has melted to a stirrable consistency.
- If desired, mix food coloring to the frosting until you reach the desired shade. The frosting might need to be reheated slightly.
- Use a spoon or spatula to spread and cover each cookie.
- Quickly add sprinkles as desired while the frosting is still melted because it will harden slightly as it rests.
- Allow the frosting to set completely before serving.
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