Surprise Hidden Rainbow Cookies with Sprinkles (Print version)
Buttery sprinkle cookies with a hidden rainbow center, made with vanilla dough, gel colors, and a good chill before baking.
# Ingredients:
For the vanilla dough
01 -
1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 -
1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
03 -
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
04 -
1 large egg, room temperature
05 -
3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour
06 -
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
07 -
2-3 tablespoons milk
For coloring and finishing
08 -
Red, yellow, and blue gel food coloring
09 -
1 cup rainbow jimmie sprinkles, for coating
# Instructions:
01 -
Beat the softened butter, sugar, and vanilla with a mixer on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, until pale and fluffy.
02 -
Beat in the egg until smooth. Add flour and salt, then mix on low just until the dough comes together.
03 -
Mix in milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough is soft, smooth, and easy to press without sticking to your hands.
04 -
Set aside about half of the dough for wrapping. Divide the remaining dough into 6 small portions and tint them red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple using gel food coloring.
05 -
Flatten about 2 tablespoons plain dough into an oval. Place small pinches or ropes of colored dough in rainbow order down the center, then wrap the plain dough around them and seal completely.
06 -
Gently roll each dough ball so it is smooth, then press the top and sides into rainbow sprinkles. Arrange on lined baking sheets and chill for at least 2 hours.
07 -
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the chilled cookies for 13-15 minutes, until the tops look set and the bottoms are lightly golden.
08 -
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move them to a rack. Cool completely for the cleanest rainbow reveal.
# Good to know:
01 -
Prep time includes shaping and chilling the dough.
02 -
Use gel food coloring for the brightest colors and best dough texture.
03 -
Bake one test cookie first if your kitchen is warm.