Bake with Purpose: Delicious Pink Ribbon Sugar Cookies for Breast Cancer Awareness & Supporting the Fight
October marks a profoundly important time for millions worldwide: Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year, my heart led me to do something particularly meaningful to honor those bravely fighting breast cancer, survivors, and those we’ve lost. I’ve poured my passion for baking into creating a special recipe for Breast Cancer Awareness Sugar Cookies – beautiful, crisp, and buttery treats adorned in pretty shades of pink, mirroring the iconic pink ribbon. These delicious ribbon sugar cookies are more than just a sweet indulgence; they are a symbol of hope, support, and a delicious way to spread awareness.
Beyond the kitchen, I’m also hosting a special “Think Pink” giveaway on my Instagram. One fortunate winner will receive an incredible pink prize package, generously contributed by many wonderful local donors. It’s a fantastic opportunity to celebrate our community and support a cause that touches so many lives.
My Grandma’s Inspiring Breast Cancer Journey: A Story of Resilience
My personal connection to breast cancer runs deep, as it does for so many families. In 2015, my incredible grandma discovered a lump while enjoying a game of tennis with her friends. What followed was the heartbreaking news that the lump was indeed breast cancer. She was diagnosed with Stage 4, a daunting challenge that she immediately began to confront with unwavering courage.
Five years later, her fight continues. She faces ongoing treatment every three weeks for the rest of her life, a testament to her incredible endurance. Despite the immense physical and emotional toll, my grandma has remained a beacon of optimism throughout her treatments. Her resilience in the face of such adversity has been both painful to witness and profoundly humbling. Watching her navigate this journey has taught me invaluable lessons about strength, hope, and the human spirit’s capacity to persevere.
My grandma isn’t just a fighter; she’s one of my very best friends. Our bond is particularly strong over our shared love for cooking. She’s always by my side, offering wisdom and laughter as we work on new recipes together. This shared passion has been a source of comfort and joy, especially during these challenging times. Her spirit reinforces the powerful message that in 2020, and every year, we are all in this together. Our collective choices and actions have the profound power to protect and support the most vulnerable among us, and this truth resonates deeply when it comes to the ongoing fight against breast cancer.
Understanding Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Power of Pink
October is globally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign that unites thousands of organizations and millions of individuals. Its primary goal is to amplify the importance of breast awareness, foster education, and champion vital research. This month serves as a crucial reminder for everyone to prioritize breast health and support those impacted by this pervasive disease.
While the median age for a breast cancer diagnosis is 62, it’s essential to understand that breast cancer can affect women of any age, and even men. This fact underscores the critical need for everyone to be informed. It’s vital that women—and their loved ones—are knowledgeable about the warning signs, potential causes, and the various types of breast cancer. Equally important is knowing how and when to get screened, understanding available treatment options, and learning about preventative measures.
Early detection significantly increases survival rates and improves treatment outcomes. Regular screenings are your most powerful tool. It is widely recommended that women undergo a mammogram every year, especially as they approach and pass the age of 40. For women over 55, while annual screenings are still beneficial, some guidelines suggest every two years, depending on individual risk factors and physician recommendations. Beyond mammograms, self-examinations and clinical breast exams by a healthcare professional are crucial components of proactive breast health. Learning to perform self-checks can help you become familiar with your body and identify any changes that warrant medical attention.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month also highlights the groundbreaking research that continually advances our understanding of the disease, leading to more effective treatments and improved patient care. It’s a time to acknowledge the tireless efforts of medical professionals, researchers, and patient advocates who work relentlessly towards a future free from breast cancer. Your involvement, whether through spreading information, participating in charity events, or supporting research initiatives, makes a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals.
Baking Hope: Delicious Breast Cancer Awareness Sugar Cookies
These beautiful sugar cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a tender, buttery expression of support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With their crisp edges and satisfyingly thick centers, they provide the perfect canvas for vibrant pink frosting and sprinkles, making them a delightful way to participate in the “Think Pink” movement.
To ensure your Breast Cancer Awareness Sugar Cookies turn out perfectly, a little planning goes a long way. My top tip for this recipe is to **plan ahead!** These cookies require a minimum of 2 hours of refrigeration, and sometimes even up to 2 days, for a crucial reason. Chilling the dough prevents it from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring your cut-out shapes remain distinct and beautiful. Cold dough also contributes to that desirable crisp edge and tender, melt-in-your-mouth center.
Furthermore, patience is key when it comes to decorating. You absolutely must allow the baked cookies to cool completely before even thinking about frosting them. Attempting to frost warm cookies will lead to melted, runny icing and a sticky mess. So, factor in ample cooling time, ideally on a wire rack to allow air circulation, before you begin the fun part of decorating. Once they’re cool, you’re golden! The vibrant pink icing and sprinkles will adhere beautifully, creating a truly impactful and delicious tribute.
These cookies are wonderful for sharing with friends, family, or bringing to community events to spark conversations about awareness. Every bite is a sweet reminder of the strength and solidarity within our communities fighting breast cancer.
Alex’s “Think Pink” Giveaway: Supporting Our Community
In the spirit of giving back and amplifying our collective support for Breast Cancer Awareness, I’m thrilled to announce Alex’s “Think Pink” Giveaway! This is a fantastic opportunity to win an incredible prize package filled with pink-themed goodies and products from generous local businesses and brands who share our commitment to this vital cause.
One lucky winner will receive ALL of the following fantastic items, curated to bring a touch of pink joy and practicality:
- Back to Basics Cookbook from @TheAlexDaynes
- Pink Wet Brush from @BathPack_
- Love Crew from @SheSaidStyles1
- 10 Pack White Chocolate Peppermint Energy Sticks from @PerkEnergy
- Backpack & Fanny Pack from @Vooray
- Pink Endurance Bra & Tank from @KiavaClothing
- Necklace & Bracelet from @TwistedSilver
- Shampoo & Cleanser from @EdenBelleBeauty
- Blush Hair Tie from @Simple&Blush
To enter this exciting giveaway or to nominate someone deserving, simply head over to my Instagram post dedicated to this campaign. Let’s spread the word and celebrate the incredible strength and resilience within our community! You can find all the details and entry requirements at: www.instagram.com/thealexdaynes.
Perfect Icing for Sugar Cookies
With crisp edges, thick centers, and generous room for decorating, you’ll adore these soft sugar cookies as much as I do. This recipe provides both the cookie and a simple, effective icing perfect for all your decorative needs, especially for creating beautiful pink ribbons!
2 hours
10 minutes
1 hour
3 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients for Sugar Cookies
- 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Ingredients for Icing
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons warm water
- 1/2 Tablespoon light corn syrup
- *Food coloring & flavorings optional
Instructions for Sugar Cookies
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar together at high speed until completely smooth and creamy, for about 2 minutes.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and up the bottom of the bowl and beat again as needed to combine.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will be relatively soft.
- Place the dough on a cookie sheet topped with parchment paper & lightly flour the surface. Roll the dough out onto the parchment with a lightly floured rolling pin to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cover the rolled dough with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then refrigerate for a minimum of 1-2 hours, and up to 2 days, to ensure proper chilling.
- Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using your desired cookie cutter (a ribbon shape is perfect!), cut the dough into shapes. Re-roll any remaining dough scraps and continue cutting until all is used.
- Arrange cookies on baking sheets approximately 3 inches apart. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
- Once completely cool, frost & sprinkle as desired. Enjoy these beautiful and meaningful treats!
Instructions for the Icing
- In a small bowl, mix the warm water and light corn syrup to create your sugar water base.
- Gradually add the sugar water mixture to the powdered sugar and stir until thoroughly combined and smooth. The mixture will be thick initially. Continue stirring until you achieve a consistency that slowly drips from your spoon and smoothly disappears back into the bowl.
- Add food coloring (pink is ideal for awareness!) and any desired flavorings (like vanilla or almond extract). Dip each cookie into the icing, allowing any excess to drip off before placing it on a wire rack to harden and set. If you plan to add sprinkles, do so immediately after dipping, before the icing fully sets, so they adhere properly.
Notes
I highly recommend adding a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the icing to give it a lovely flavor that complements the sugar cookies. For a different twist, almond or other extracts can also be used to add unique flavors if desired. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shades of pink for your icing to create a varied and visually appealing batch of awareness cookies!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 102Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 42mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 1g