Description
Bright, cheerful, and irresistibly soft rainbow sugar cookies that melt in your mouth. This recipe blends classic sugar cookie flavors with vibrant gel food coloring to create colorful, festive treats perfect for celebrations or everyday joy. Easy to make with pantry staples and customizable for various dietary needs and decorations.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Basic Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Coloring and Decoration
- Gel food coloring (various colors as desired)
- Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Dough: Begin by creaming the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Divide and Color the Dough: Split the dough evenly into separate small bowls based on how many different colors you’d like. Add gel food coloring to each portion and knead until the color is thoroughly combined and even throughout each portion.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap each colored dough portion tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This firms the dough, making it easier to handle and helps maintain cookie shape during baking.
- Shape the Cookies: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each colored dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. For a rainbow effect, layer or arrange strips of different colors side by side and gently press together. Cut out cookie shapes with your favorite cutters.
- Bake to Perfection: Place shaped cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Optionally sprinkle with sanding sugar or sprinkles. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are just set. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Enjoy or Decorate: Once cooled, decorate cookies with royal icing, edible markers, or enjoy them plain to savor their colorful charm.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for smooth dough mixing.
- Gel food coloring ensures vivid colors without making dough too wet.
- Chilling dough prevents excessive spreading and keeps cookies tender yet crisp.
- Handle dough gently and do not overmix to avoid tough cookies.
- Roll dough to a uniform thickness for even baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and color bleeding.
- Freeze unbaked dough for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before shaping.
- Reheat cookies briefly at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes to refresh softness without fading colors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg