Lubenice/Watermelon Cookies

Directions

• Using 3 separate mixing bowls make each colored layer by combining each set of ingredients. Because the butter is softened, you should be able to use a spatula to combine all of the ingredients together. Use as much food coloring as needed to achieve your desired shades of red and green. Use gloves and a cutting board to avoid coloring your hands and counter.
• After combining the ingredients of each layer, cover each bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool. I like to do this the night before I will be serving these cookies. If making the same day, chill for at least 1 hour.
• After chilling the different layer mixtures, you will notice the “dough” is firm to the touch. Working with the white color first, break apart 8 different pieces to make 8 balls. Using your hands, shape the dough into a ball and place on a flat surface/plate. As you work the dough, the heat from your hands will soften it. Work quickly.
• Clean your work surface and then proceed to do the same thing with the red color. Separate the dough into 8 pieces and form into 8 balls. Place these also on a flat surface and refrigerate.
• Clean your work surface. You do not want crumbs of one color to mix with another. Next, form 8 green balls of dough, place on a flat surface and refrigerate.
• Assemble
• Take the white dough out of the refrigerator first. On a clean dry surface, sprinkle some powdered sugar, place the dough on top and then sprinkle some powdered sugar on top. Using a rolling pin, gently flatten the dough into a circle shape. Use the powdered sugar as you would when rolling out dough. Roll out all 8 pieces of dough.
• Next, take out the red dough balls out of the refrigerator and place each one in the center of the rolled-out white circles of dough.
• Fold the white dough over the red working with a bench scraper or knife if needed. Cover each red ball with the white dough completely. Place back on the plate that the white dough was on. Continue this with the rest of the dough balls.
• Once all the red balls are covered, place them back in the refrigerator while you work on the green layer. Just as you did with the white layer, use a rolling pin and powdered sugar to roll out each green dough ball. When all 8 have been rolled out, take out the plate from the refrigerator and place each dough ball in the middle of the green circle. Cover again, place back on the plate, and refrigerate one final time.
• Serving
• Before serving, melt a few tablespoons of chocolate chips or 1/3 of a chocolate bar.
• When ready to serve, take out the now-formed watermelons from the refrigerator and slice them as you would a watermelon. Next, take a toothpick, dip in the melted chocolate and form small “seeds” on each slice. Chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!