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Unicorn Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 82 reviews

These whimsical Unicorn Cookies are a delightful treat featuring a soft, buttery sugar cookie dough swirled with vibrant gel colors and festive sprinkles. Perfectly baked to a light golden hue, these cookies offer a fun tie-dye effect that’s visually stunning and deliciously sweet, making them an enchanting choice for celebrations or everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet 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

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon (2g) cream of tartar
  • ¼ teaspoon (1.2g) salt

Add-ins and Decorations

  • ½ cup sprinkles
  • Gel colors (Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet) as needed for coloring dough
  • Additional granulated sugar or sprinkles for rolling cookies before baking

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed using a hand mixer or stand mixer until the mixture is creamy and well combined. This step is crucial for a smooth cookie texture.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs and pure vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture. Continue mixing on medium speed until the eggs are fully beaten and the batter is smooth.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on medium-low speed until a dough forms. Then fold in the ½ cup of sprinkles evenly into the dough.
  5. Divide and Color Dough: Split the dough into four equal parts. Leave one portion uncolored. Add gel colors (Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet) to the other three portions and mix each thoroughly with a spatula or by hand until evenly colored.
  6. Create Tie-Dye Effect: Place all four colored dough portions into a large bowl. Gently mix them just enough by spoon or hand to create a tie-dye swirl effect without fully blending the colors, preserving the vibrant hues.
  7. Portion and Decorate: Using a medium or large cookie scoop, portion out dough balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar or sprinkle additional sprinkles on top for extra sparkle. Space the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet to allow spreading.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden color. Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and tender.
  9. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing breakage and ensuring they set correctly.

Notes

  • Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal mixing and cookie texture.
  • Do not overmix the colored dough portions when combining to keep the vibrant tie-dye effect.
  • Use gel colors rather than liquid food coloring to maintain dough consistency without making it sticky.
  • Adjust baking time slightly depending on your oven and cookie size; cookies should be lightly golden at the edges but soft in the centers.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Keywords: Unicorn Cookies, tie-dye cookies, sugar cookies, colorful cookies, sprinkles cookies, butter cookies, fun dessert, party cookies

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/unicorn-cookies-recipe/