<a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4th-stars.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1164" alt="4th of July decorated star cookies" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/4th-stars.jpg" width="500" height="326" /></a>

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<p style="text-align: center;">My dad isn't exactly a firecracker baby, but with a July 5th birthday, we consider it close enough.  Since his birthday celebration tends to fall on the 4th itself, I like to make a patriotic dessert like this <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/356-flag-cake">flag cake</a> or this <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/744-berry-trifle">berry trifle</a>.  This year, O and I decided to make simple iced star cookies with "frinkles".  While I must admit that O is an expert frinkle applier, she does eat more frinkles than actually make it onto the cookies.  (I used my favorite <a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/824-shortbread-cookies">shortbread recipe</a> with <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/857635/royal-icing">royal icing</a>.)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/abo-4th.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1165" alt="cookies with grandpa" src="http://www.karolineskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/abo-4th.jpg" width="299" height="500" /></a></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Of course, the best part about making cookies for your abuelo is eating them with him.  He also received a handmade birthday card, crafted from cardstock, alphabet stamps and star cookie cutters dipped in red and blue finger paint.  He was pleased, and so was O.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">May your 4th of July be safe as well as fun!</p>