Unicorn Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Unicorn Cookies are a delightful blend of colorful swirls and cheerful sprinkles, perfect for celebrations or brightening your day. These fun, marbled treats are simple to make and bring a magical touch to any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (285g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (2g) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (2g) cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon (1.2g) salt
- ½ cup sprinkles
- Gel colors (Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a non-stick mat.
- Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually mix this dry mixture into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Gently fold in the sprinkles so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Step 5: Divide the dough evenly into three separate portions. Tint each portion with a different gel color (Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet) by kneading the color into the dough carefully.
- Step 6: Combine the three colored doughs by gently swirling them together to create a marbled, tie-dye effect, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 7: Scoop the dough and shape into balls. Roll them in sugar or additional sprinkles for extra sparkle if desired.
- Step 8: Place the dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 9: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. Allow cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use room temperature butter to ensure a smooth, easy-to-mix dough with the best texture.
- Avoid overmixing the dough after adding colors to maintain the bright, tie-dye marbled effect.
- If your cookies spread too much in the oven, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Try different gel colors or sprinkle shapes to match the theme of your event or season.
Storage
Store the cooled Unicorn Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, you can freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to three months. Reheat briefly in a low-temperature oven or enjoy them fresh from the freezer.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel colors?
Gel colors are preferred because they provide vibrant hues without adding extra liquid, which can alter the dough’s consistency. However, regular food coloring can be used in small amounts if gel colors are unavailable, but the colors may be less intense.
What can I do if my cookies spread too much while baking?
Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading. Also, make sure not to use softened butter that is too warm, as this can cause the cookies to spread more in the oven.
PrintUnicorn Cookies Recipe
Unicorn Cookies are colorful, cheerful, and delicious treats perfect for celebrations or brightening any day. These marbled, sprinkle-studded cookies are easy and fun to make, offering a delightful baking experience for the whole family and delivering joy in every bite.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (285g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon (2g) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (2g) cream of tartar
- ¼ teaspoon (1.2g) salt
- Gel colors: Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet
Toppings
- ½ cup sprinkles
- Extra sugar or sprinkles for rolling shaped dough
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the two large eggs, one at a time, followed by the pure vanilla extract, mixing well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt to distribute them evenly.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing to maintain tender cookies.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in half a cup of sprinkles evenly throughout the dough to create colorful bursts in each cookie.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into portions and color three of them separately using pink, royal blue, and violet gel colors to achieve vibrant hues.
- Create Marbled Effect: Swirl the three colored dough portions together gently to create a tie-dye or marbled visual effect without fully blending the colors.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop and shape the dough into balls, and roll them in extra sugar or sprinkles to add texture and sparkle to the cookies.
- Bake: Place the shaped cookie balls onto the prepared cookie sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for best creamy texture and easier mixing.
- Avoid overmixing dough after adding colors to maintain the distinct tie-dye pattern.
- If cookies spread too much during baking, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
Keywords: Unicorn Cookies, colorful cookies, sprinkle cookies, marbled cookies, fun family baking, festive dessert, tie-dye cookies
