Unicorn Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Unicorn Cookies are a fun and colorful twist on classic sugar cookies, perfect for parties or a whimsical treat. These soft, buttery cookies feature a delightful tie-dye effect with vibrant gel colors and sprinkles that make each bite magical.

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

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until well creamed. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until the eggs are fully incorporated.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat on medium-low speed until a dough begins to form. Stir in the sprinkles.
4. Step 4: Divide the dough into four equal portions. Leave one portion uncolored and tint the other three with gel colors of your choice by gently folding in the color using a spatula or your hands. Combine all four portions lightly in one bowl to create a tie-dye effect, being careful not to overmix.
5. Step 5: Using a medium or large cookie scoop, portion the dough into balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar or additional sprinkles, then place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
6. Step 6: Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350° F until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine suitable for baking.
• Use different gel colors to customize your unicorn cookies with any color scheme you prefer.
• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before scooping to make the cookies thicker and easier to handle.
• Swap sprinkles with mini chocolate chips or colored sugar crystals for a different texture.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. Reheat slightly in a low oven or microwave to soften if needed.

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 more intense color without changing the dough’s consistency. Regular liquid food coloring can be used but may make the dough too wet and affect texture.

Why do I need to mix the different colored doughs lightly?

Lightly mixing the different dough colors creates the signature tie-dye or marbled effect. Overmixing will blend the colors completely, resulting in a uniform color rather than a vibrant pattern.

Unicorn Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 131 reviews

These vibrant Unicorn Cookies are a whimsical treat featuring a colorful tie-dye effect with sprinkles baked right into a soft and buttery sugar cookie dough. Perfect for celebrations or whenever you want to brighten your day with a magical twist on a classic cookie.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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
• ½ cup sprinkles

Colors

• Gel food colors: Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar, Add Eggs and Vanilla: In a mixing bowl, combine the room temperature butter and granulated sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then continue mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients and Make Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on medium-low speed until the dough begins to form. Fold in the sprinkles gently until evenly distributed.
4. Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough into four equal portions. Leave one portion uncolored. Tint the remaining three portions separately with pink, royal blue, and violet gel food colors, working the color evenly into each ball using a spatula or your hands.
5. Create Tie-Dye Effect: Place all four colored dough balls into a large bowl and gently fold together using a spoon or your hands just enough to create a tie-dye effect. Avoid overmixing to prevent colors from blending into each other.
6. Portion Cookies: Using a medium or large cookie scoop, portion out dough balls. Roll each one in granulated sugar or additional sprinkles for extra texture and sparkle. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake and Cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are just set and lightly golden around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For best results, ensure all ingredients especially butter and eggs are at room temperature before mixing to achieve a smooth dough.
• You can customize your sprinkles and gel colors to match any party theme or occasion.
• Do not overmix the colored dough balls together to maintain distinct color swirls for the tie-dye effect.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to keep them fresh.
• If you prefer crispier cookies, bake an extra 1-2 minutes but keep an eye to prevent browning.

Keywords: Unicorn Cookies, colorful cookies, tie-dye cookies, sprinkle cookies, sugar cookies, fun cookies, kids cookies, party cookies