Copycat Pillsbury Football Cookies Recipe

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I fell in love with how quick and simple these Pillsbury Football Cookies are to make. Plus, with a little creativity, you can take these cookies to the next level by adding your personal flair.

How to make Pillsbury Football Cookies

Pillsbury Football Cookies are a limited-edition, ready-to-bake sugar cookie product made by Pillsbury, usually released during football season.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For Decorations:

• White Icing (to create football stitching details)
• Chocolate Icing or Melted Milk/Chocolate Chips (optional, for adding color or outlining footballs)
• Sprinkles (team colors for added flair, optional)

Instructions

Using Pillsbury Ready-to-Bake Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Remove the Pillsbury Football Cookie Dough from the package and arrange the pre-cut football shapes onto the baking sheet. Leave around 2 inches between each cookie to prevent them from sticking together as they bake.
3. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
4. Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.

If Shaping Dough Yourself

1. Prepare sugar cookie dough from scratch (using the recipe above) or a Pillsbury sugar dough log.
2. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Use a football-shaped cookie cutter or carefully shape the dough into ovals with pointed ends, mimicking a football.
3. Follow the steps to bake as noted above.

Decorating the Cookies

1. Once cooled, use white icing to pipe stitching designs across the middle of each cookie to resemble football laces.
2. If you’d like to add more detail, use chocolate icing to outline the edges or fill in the cookie’s surface for a darker, more realistic football look.
3. Add team-colored sprinkles as accents for extra festive fun.

Tips for Perfect Pillsbury Football Cookies

• Let Cookies Cool Completely: Decorating warm cookies can lead to the icing melting and ruining the design. Patience is key!
• Use a Piping Bag or Toothpick: For precise football lace designs, use a piping bag with a fine tip or a toothpick. If you don’t have one, a toothpick can work well to apply icing with control.
• Get Creative: Want to make personalized cookies? Write your favorite team’s name or initials using icing, or add edible glitter to match the game theme.
• Make Ahead: Bake and store undecorated cookies in an airtight container, then decorate them right before the game to save time.
• Double Batch: These cookies tend to disappear quickly, so if you’re hosting a large crowd, make a double batch.

What to serve with

Pillsbury Football Cookies are a delightful centerpiece for your game day snack table, but no party is complete without a variety of treats and appetizers to round out the menu.

1. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries (with a Football Theme): Decorate chocolate-covered strawberries with white icing to mimic football laces. These pair wonderfully with the cookies and offer a fruity, yet decadent option.

2. Brownie Bites or Bars: Rich, fudgy brownies cut into bite-sized pieces or bars make an excellent pairing with the lighter, sweeter sugar cookies. Add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or drizzle on some frosting to create contrast.

3. Game Day Cupcakes: Frost cupcakes with your team’s colors, and top them with small edible football decorations. These cupcakes strike a balance between the crunch of cookies and the soft, moist cake.

Ingredients Substitutes

Pillsbury Football Cookies are fun and festive, but sometimes you might want to customize the recipe to suit dietary restrictions, ingredient availability, or personal preferences.

1. Substitutions for Ready-to-Bake Pillsbury Dough

If you don’t have access to Pillsbury Football Sugar Cookie Dough or simply want a homemade option for more control over ingredients, here are some alternatives:

A. Store-Bought Dough Substitutes

• Any Sugar Cookie Dough: Use another brand of ready-to-bake sugar cookie dough as a substitute. Shape it into footballs manually if pre-cut shapes aren’t available.
• Refrigerated Dough Logs: Pillsbury’s standard roll of sugar cookie dough (or a similar product) can still work. Roll out the dough and use a football-shaped cookie cutter to shape it.

2. Substitutions for Flour (Gluten-Free Options)

For individuals avoiding gluten, here are alternatives to standard all-purpose flour:

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum to achieve a similar texture. King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free flour blends are great options.
• Almond Flour or Coconut Flour: While these can work, they’ll change the texture, making the cookie slightly crumbly and denser. For coconut flour, reduce the amount by half since it absorbs more liquid.

3. Substitutions for Butter

Butter is a key ingredient for flavor and texture in sugar cookies, but there are alternatives if needed:

• Vegan Butter: Use a plant-based butter like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s Creamery for a dairy-free option.
• Coconut Oil: Substitute with an equal amount of solid coconut oil. Your cookies may carry a subtle coconut flavor, which many find pleasant.
• Applesauce (for healthier cookies): Use ¾ cup of unsweetened applesauce per 1 cup of butter. This will reduce fat but may result in softer cookies.

4. Substitutions for Eggs

If you need to make the recipe egg-free, try these substitutes:

• Flax Egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2 ½ tablespoons of water and let it thicken for 5 minutes. This works well for binding the dough.
• Unsweetened Applesauce: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup of applesauce.
• Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup of mashed banana per egg for binding, though it may slightly alter the flavor.
• Commercial Egg Replacers: Products like Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer are ideal for baking.

5. Substitutions for Sugar

While sugar is key to the cookie’s sweetness and structure, you can tweak it if needed:

• Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar: Replace granulated sugar with an equal amount of either. These will lend a slightly richer, caramel-like flavor.
• Monk Fruit Sweetener: Perfect for making sugar-free cookies; replace it in a 1:1 ratio.
• Maple Syrup or Honey: For natural sweeteners, use ¾ cup of syrup or honey per 1 cup of sugar. Reduce other liquid ingredients slightly to maintain dough consistency.

6. Substitutions for Vanilla Extract

If you’re out of vanilla extract, try these alternatives:

• Almond Extract: Use ¼ teaspoon almond extract as a replacement to avoid overpowering the flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a sweet, smoky undertone (use the same amount as vanilla).
• Cinnamon or Nutmeg (for flavor enhancement): Sprinkle in a pinch for a warm, spiced touch.

7. Substitutions for the Icing

White Icing for Football Details (Stitching):

• Homemade Icing: Combine 1 cup powdered sugar with 1-2 tablespoons of milk or water until smooth. Add vanilla for extra flavor.
• Dairy-Free Icing: Use plant-based milk (such as almond, soy, or oat) in place of regular milk for a vegan-friendly option.
• Coconut Cream or Cashew Frosting: Blend coconut cream or soaked cashews with a sweetener for a creamy, nutritious option.

Chocolate Icing:

Nutella or Peanut Butter Spread: Thin with a bit of milk to create a rich football outline.

• Dark Chocolate/White Chocolate Glaze: Melt chocolate chips, then pipe them onto the cookies for a decorative finish. Use dairy-free chocolate for a vegan option.

8. Substitutions for Decorations

• Team-Colored Sprinkles: If sprinkles aren’t available, use crushed candy (such as Skittles or M&M’s) to mimic team colors.
• Edible Glitter: Replace decorative icing or sprinkles with edible glitter for a festive touch.
• Cocoa Powder Dusting: For a more natural look, lightly dust the edges of the cookies with cocoa powder using a small strainer.

Final Thoughts

Pair your Pillsbury Football Cookies with other themed snacks, such as mini sliders, nachos, and pretzel bites, to create a winning lineup for your party. 

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