Unicorn Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These vibrant Unicorn Cookies bring a playful burst of color and sweetness to any occasion. With a soft, buttery base studded with sprinkles and swirled with bright gel colors, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.

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 (175°C) and prepare a cookie sheet by lining it with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
2. Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla extract.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined.
4. Step 4: Gently fold in the sprinkles so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into three equal portions. Tint each portion with a different gel color—pink, royal blue, and violet—kneading gently to swirl the colors without fully blending.
6. Step 6: Scoop the colored doughs together and shape them into balls. Roll each ball lightly in sugar or additional sprinkles for extra texture.
7. Step 7: Place the cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on a wire rack before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering the dough’s consistency.
• Try mixing in different colored sprinkles for even more colorful bursts.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan margarine and use egg replacer.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking helps control spreading and intensifies flavors.

Storage

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Reheat gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel colors?

Regular food coloring can be used, but it may thin the dough slightly and produce less vibrant colors compared to gel food coloring.

How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color into the dough?

Use high-quality, coated sprinkles designed for baking, which are less likely to bleed. Adding them at the end and folding gently also helps maintain their color and shape.

Unicorn Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 135 reviews

These vibrant Unicorn Cookies feature a magical marbled design made by swirling three brightly colored doughs together, stuffed with colorful sprinkles for a fun crunch. Soft and buttery with a hint of vanilla, they are perfect for parties and special occasions, bringing a playful fantasy to your cookie jar.

• Author: Amaya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 36 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

Decoration and Coloring

• ½ cup sprinkles
• Gel food colors: Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a non-stick mat to prepare for baking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light in color and fluffy in texture; then incorporate the eggs and vanilla extract thoroughly.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a separate bowl to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
4. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, blending until a uniform dough forms without overmixing.
5. Add Sprinkles: Gently fold in the sprinkles to distribute them throughout the dough for colorful bursts in every bite.
6. Divide and Color Dough: Separate the dough into three equal portions; tint each one individually with gel food colors—pink, royal blue, and violet—using a small spatula or your hands.
7. Create Marbled Effect: Combine the three colored dough portions by lightly swirling them together to create a vibrant, marbled pattern without fully blending.
8. Shape Cookies: Scoop dough balls about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter and optionally roll them in additional sugar or sprinkles for an extra decorative touch.
9. Bake: Place the shaped dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown.
10. Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• Use gel food coloring rather than liquid to avoid altering the dough consistency.
• Do not overmix the colored doughs when swirling to maintain distinct marbled patterns.
• Cooling completely on a wire rack ensures crispy edges and a tender center.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Butter should be softened but not melted for optimal creaming texture.

Keywords: unicorn cookies, marbled cookies, colorful cookies, sprinkle cookies, vanilla cookies, fun cookies, party cookies