Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies bring joy and color to any occasion. These cookies are not just delicious; they are fun to look at, and their sweet taste fills your mouth with happiness. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a simple family treat, these cookies are sure to brighten your day. With their chewy center and sugary edges, every bite is a delight. The bright rainbow sprinkles add a playful twist, making them visually appealing and exciting for both kids and adults. Let’s dive into how to create these beautiful cookies, and you’ll see just how easy and enjoyable it can be!
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
This Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookie recipe is perfect for cookie lovers of all ages. First, they are simple to make and do not require any fancy techniques or tools. You can whip them up quickly, making them a great choice for last-minute gatherings or family fun. Second, the flavor is a wonderful balance of sweetness, butteriness, and a hint of vanilla. Each cookie is soft in the center and has a slight crunch on the edges.
Furthermore, who can resist the charm of colorful sprinkles? They add not only fun to the cookies but also excitement to your kitchen. These cookies are versatile too—you can make them for any celebration, change the sprinkles for the season, or decorate them with icing if you want to get a bit fancy. Finally, baking these cookies is a great way to bond with your kids or friends. It’s a joyful experience to mix, scoop, and decorate together. So, roll up your sleeves and get started—wonderful cookies await!
HOW TO MAKE Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Making Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies is a simple process. Follow along carefully, and you will have a delightful batch of cookies to enjoy.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
To make these cookies, you will need some basic kitchen equipment:
- Stand mixer or a large mixing bowl and hand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie dough scoop (optional but helpful)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients You’ll Need
- ¾ cup butter (room temperature. I use salted but you can use unsalted butter if you prefer!)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg (room temperature)
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Let’s go through the steps to make these amazing cookies:
- Mix the Butter and Sugar: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes. The mixture should be light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the vanilla extract and crack the egg into the mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: While the mixer is on low speed, gradually add in the corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour. Keep mixing until everything is well combined.
- Add the Sprinkles: Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with the mixer on low until they are just mixed in.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a medium-sized cookie dough scoop (about 2 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie), scoop the dough onto the baking sheet.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Do not skip this step, as it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
- Preheat the Oven: Toward the end of the chilling time, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place the Dough: Arrange 5-6 chilled dough balls on each baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart since cookies will spread during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set. The cookies may seem slightly underdone in the center, but that is okay—they will firm up as they cool!
- Shape Cookies: If you’d like perfect circular cookies, use a round cookie cutter larger than the cookie to gently scoot them into shape right after removing them from the oven.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
HOW TO SERVE Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Once the cookies are baked and cooled, it is time to serve them! These cookies are enjoyable on their own or with a glass of milk. You can plate them up nicely for a gathering, or enjoy them right off the cooling rack. If you want to twist it up, try serving alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert.
STORAGE & FREEZING: Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
To store your Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them! Simply wrap each cookie in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can remain in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the cookies at room temperature or pop them into the microwave for a few seconds to warm them up.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
These cookies are delicious on their own, but you can also make them even more special by pairing them with:
- Milk, for a classic duo that never gets old.
- Hot chocolate, for a cozy winter treat.
- Coffee or tea, for a delightful afternoon snack.
- Ice cream sandwiches—sandwich any flavor of ice cream between two cookies for a fun dessert.
VARIATIONS
There are many ways you can change up this Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookie recipe to make it your own. Here are some ideas:
- Different Sprinkles: Use holiday-themed sprinkles to match the occasion. Try red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
- Chocolate Chip Version: Mix in chocolate chips along with the sprinkles for a delicious chocolatey twist.
- Flavor Additions: Add a teaspoon of almond extract instead of vanilla for a different flavor.
- Citrus Zest: Add zest from lemon or orange to the dough for a fresh and vibrant flavor.
- Nutty Twist: Mix in chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
A1: Yes, you can use unsalted butter if you prefer. Just remember to add a pinch of salt to your dough.
Q2: How can I ensure my cookies are soft and chewy?
A2: Be careful not to overbake them. They should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out of the oven.
Q3: Can I freeze the cookie dough before baking?
A3: Yes! You can scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze the balls, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Q4: What should I do if I don’t have corn starch?
A4: You can leave it out! The cookies may be slightly less chewy, but they will still taste great.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
If you want to prepare these cookies in advance, here are some tips:
- Make the Dough Ahead of Time: Prepare the cookie dough and chill it. You can keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Freeze the Dough: As mentioned, scoop the dough balls and freeze them. This way, you can bake fresh cookies anytime!
- Store Baked Cookies: Bake the cookies, let them cool, and then store them in an airtight container. They remain tasty and fresh for a week!
Now you have a fun and colorful treat to bake and enjoy! Happy baking!
Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the room temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Pour in the vanilla extract and crack the egg into the mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Gradually add in the corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour while mixing on low speed until everything is well combined.
- Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with the mixer on low until they are just mixed in.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a medium-sized cookie dough scoop, scoop the dough onto the baking sheet.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) towards the end of the chilling time.
- Arrange 5-6 chilled dough balls on each baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set.
- If you’d like perfect circular cookies, use a round cookie cutter larger than the cookie to gently scoot them into shape right after removing them from the oven.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.