April’s Primo Cookies
Tucked inside an old cookbook, a baker at Grove Surf Cafe finds a handwritten recipe that was passed down from generations, during a time when ingredients were limited. The recipe calls for one unexpected local ingredient found right here in St. Pete-Clearwater's backyard...sugar-white sand.
The process begins at sunrise on the beach, when the sand is at its softest, finest texture. Renowned for its powdery, crystal-like feel, St. Pete-Clearwater’s sugar sand has long been one of the destination’s most iconic features, making it the perfect inspiration for a recipe rooted with the flavors of salt air and sunshine.
After months of testing, the cookies are finally ready. For one day only, a limited batch of April's Primo Cookies by Grove Surf Cafe will be given away at the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival on Clearwater Beach, only on April 1st, while supplies last.
Watch the Full Recipe Unfold
Sugar Sand Beaches
St. Pete-Clearwater’s famous sugar-white sand is one of the main reasons the area’s beaches are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Clearwater Beach was named the #1 beach in Florida and #2 beach in the U.S. for 2026 by Tripadvisor, and has also earned recognition from Travel + Leisure as one of the best white-sand beaches in the world and from USA Today as the Best Beach in the South. Nearby, St. Pete Beach was previously named #1 Beach in the U.S. by Tripadvisor travelers. The soft, powdery sand - made of finely ground quartz crystal - stays cool underfoot and gives the shoreline its bright, sugar-like look. Paired with clear emerald Gulf waters, easy beach access, and amenities just steps away, it’s no surprise St. Pete-Clearwater is known for having America’s Favorite Beaches.
Dive Deeper Into Our Beaches
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Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival
Mark your calendar, the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival returns March 27 - April 12, 2026! Head to Clearwater Beach to explore the expansive 24,000-square foot sand sculpture museum featuring the theme, “United in Sand: Celebrating Sports & Spirit.”
plan your visitIf you made it this far, check your calendar...Happy April Fools’ Day! Of course we didn’t use real sand. Our sugar-white sand makes for a sweet vacation, but it’s definitely not edible. Not even on April 1st. And remember… please don’t take more sand from our beaches than what fits between your toes.
Special thanks to Grove Surf Café for playing along.
More About America's Favorite Beaches
More About America's Favorite Beaches
