Name: Rainbow Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Food coloring (gel preferred); Sanding sugar or sprinkles (optional)

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If you love cookies that are as much fun to look at as they are to eat, these Rainbow Sugar Cookies will steal your heart (and taste buds)! They’re swirled with vibrant colors, fabulously soft in the center, and sprinkled with a touch of magic. Whether you’re baking with kids, planning a festive celebration, or just craving a whimsical treat, these cookies bring pure joy to any occasion. Trust me, you’ll want to bake these Rainbow Sugar Cookies for every special moment—or just a rainy afternoon when you need a little extra cheer.

Rainbow Sugar Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the ingredients for Rainbow Sugar Cookies couldn’t be easier, and every element plays a special role. With just a few classics from your pantry and a splash of color, you’ll transform an ordinary cookie into something truly spectacular.

All-purpose flour: Gives your cookies structure and that irresistible tender crumb.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies spread just the right amount for a perfectly soft center.
Baking powder: Provides a little extra lift for puffier, lighter cookies.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness—don’t skip it!
Unsalted butter (softened): For melt-in-your-mouth richness and to let you control the salt.
Granulated sugar: Classic sweetness that creates those crisp edges and chewy centers.
Large egg: Binds everything together and gives a lovely texture.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor and adds a comforting bakery aroma.
Food coloring (gel preferred): Gel gives bold, bright hues—makes your Rainbow Sugar Cookies pop!
Sanding sugar or sprinkles (optional): For extra sparkle and fun, especially for parties or kids.

How to Make Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pans

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This little extra step makes cleanup so easy and helps the cookies bake evenly without sticking. Setting up your baking trays first gets you ready for hassle-free baking.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures every bite of your Rainbow Sugar Cookies is perfectly fluffy and tender, with all the leaveners and salt distributed evenly throughout the dough.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until it looks pale and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is where the cookie magic begins, giving your treats that dreamy soft center with a slight crunch at the edges.

Step 4: Add Egg and Vanilla

Mix in the egg and vanilla extract. The dough will look creamy and smooth at this stage. These two ingredients bring everything together and infuse classic sugar cookie flavor into every colorful bite.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough should be soft and workable, not sticky. Overmixing here can toughen your Rainbow Sugar Cookies, so just mix until no flour remains.

Step 6: Divide and Color the Dough

Now for the fun part! Divide the dough into 5 or 6 even portions, depending on how many colors you want in your rainbow. Add a different gel food coloring to each and knead until the colors are bright and fully blended—trust me, this is where the “wow” factor starts!

Step 7: Shape the Rainbow Cookies

Roll each colored dough into ropes about 12 inches long. Stack or gently twist the ropes together, then roll them into a log. Slice the log into even pieces, then roll each piece into a ball and flatten slightly. Arrange the cookie disks on your prepared baking sheets, leaving plenty of room for spreading.

Step 8: Decorate and Bake

If you love sparkle, now’s the moment to sprinkle the cookies with sanding sugar or your favorite colorful sprinkles. Bake for 10–12 minutes, just until the edges are set but not browned. Let them cool on the sheets for five minutes before moving to a wire rack—this keeps them extra soft in the middle.

How to Serve Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Garnishes

For a festive finishing touch, try a light dusting of edible glitter or extra sprinkles right after baking. Sometimes I even drizzle a simple glaze over the top for added sweetness and shine. No one can resist a plate of dazzling Rainbow Sugar Cookies!

Side Dishes

Pair your cookies with cold milk, fruity herbal tea, or homemade lemonade for a classic cookie experience. They’re also perfect alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a mug of hot cocoa on chilly days. Rainbow Sugar Cookies bring out the kid in everyone, no matter the pairing!

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the cookies in rainbow order for a playful display, or package them in clear cellophane bags for gifting. They look gorgeous arranged in a circle on a party platter, and you can even tuck them into lunchboxes for a midday treat that will brighten anyone’s day.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any extras in an airtight container at room temperature. These cookies stay deliciously soft for up to five days, making them perfect for prepping ahead or snacking all week long. Just be sure to seal them well to prevent drying out.

Freezing

Want to save Rainbow Sugar Cookies for later? Freeze the baked cookies in layers separated by parchment paper, or freeze the colored dough logs for fresh-baked cookies anytime. Let thaw at room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.

Reheating

To revive cookies that have chilled a bit, warm them for five seconds per cookie in the microwave. This brings back that legendary softness, making your Rainbow Sugar Cookies just as irresistible as when they were first baked!

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

You can, but gel coloring gives much more intense, vivid hues without changing the dough’s consistency. Liquid food coloring can be used in a pinch, but you might need to use more, which can make the dough slightly stickier.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough is optional but highly recommended, especially if you want perfectly neat slices or are working with a warm kitchen. It makes handling and shaping much easier and can help your cookies hold their swirled colors beautifully.

How do I keep the colors from blending together too much?

The key is to handle the dough gently when twisting and slicing. Avoid overmixing the colors, and if the dough is getting too soft, pop it into the fridge for a few minutes to firm up before shaping.

Do Rainbow Sugar Cookies hold their color after baking?

Absolutely! Using gel food coloring and baking just until the edges set ensures your cookies bake up with their brilliant hues intact. Try not to overbake for the most vivid results.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can experiment with a good-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Results may vary slightly, but many readers have had success swapping all-purpose flour for a gluten-free alternative in their Rainbow Sugar Cookies.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll dive in and make these Rainbow Sugar Cookies soon! They’re a burst of color and joy that’s sure to lift spirits and spark smiles. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just for fun, these cookies are a sweet celebration of creativity and togetherness. Happy baking!

Rainbow Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 6 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 42 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Rainbow Sugar Cookies are a colorful and fun treat that are perfect for kids and adults alike. These soft and buttery sugar cookies are transformed into a rainbow delight with vibrant gel food coloring. Sprinkle with sanding sugar or sprinkles for extra pizzazz!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional:

Food coloring (gel preferred)
Sanding sugar or sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix until combined.
Add dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
Color the dough: Divide the dough into portions, color each with food coloring, and knead until evenly distributed.
Shape the cookies: Roll each colored dough portion into a rope, stack or twist ropes together, roll into a log, slice, and shape into balls. Flatten slightly and place on baking sheets.
Bake: Optionally sprinkle with sanding sugar or sprinkles. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set. Cool on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.