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Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies

Featured in: Sweet treats for any occasion

Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies transform the classic sugar cookie into a colorful work of art that's as fun to make as it is to eat. Starting with a traditional butter and sugar cookie base, this recipe takes a creative turn by dividing the dough and tinting portions with vibrant gel food colors. The magic happens when the differently colored doughs are gently combined to create a marbled, tie-dye effect that makes each cookie unique. Sprinkles added to the dough provide extra pops of color and texture throughout. The cookies are rolled in additional sugar or sprinkles before baking, creating a slight crunch on the exterior that contrasts beautifully with the soft, buttery interior. When baked, these cookies maintain their swirled appearance, resulting in a treat that's not only delicious but also visually stunning. Perfect for birthday parties, holidays, or anytime you want to add a colorful twist to your cookie jar.
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Updated on Sun, 16 Mar 2025 03:02:59 GMT
A cookie with a pink and purple frosting shaped like a unicorn. Pin it
A cookie with a pink and purple frosting shaped like a unicorn. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Unicorn cookies transform ordinary sugar cookie dough into magical, rainbow-swirled treats that delight both the eye and the palate. These whimsical cookies feature marbled pink, blue, and purple dough studded with colorful rainbow sprinkles throughout.

I created these cookies for my niece's fantasy-themed birthday party, and their swirling colors made them the most talked-about treat of the day. Now, they’ve become a go-to for any celebration where I want to add a touch of magic.

Ingredients List

  • Unsalted butter: Creates a tender, chewy texture.
  • Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and structure.
  • Eggs: Provide moisture and richness.
  • Pure vanilla extract: Enhances flavor depth.
  • All-purpose flour: Gives cookies their structure.
  • Baking soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly.
  • Cream of tartar: Adds a slight tang and ensures soft texture.
  • Rainbow sprinkles: Jimmies work best for maintaining color.
  • Gel food coloring: Provides vibrant hues without altering consistency.

Creating The Magic

Prepare Baking Sheets:
Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Cream Butter and Sugar:
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients:
Mix in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
Whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
Incorporate Carefully:
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
Add Sprinkles:
Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles for a pop of color.
Divide for Coloring:
Split dough into four equal portions.
Add Color Carefully:
Use gel food coloring to tint portions pink, blue, and purple, leaving one uncolored.
Mix Thoroughly:
Fold colors gently to maintain marbled effect.
Create Marbled Effect:
Swirl dough portions together just a few times for distinct color separation.
Scoop Consistently:
Use a cookie scoop to portion evenly sized dough balls.
Add Final Touch:
Roll in sugar or top with extra sprinkles.
Arrange for Baking:
Place dough balls 2 inches apart on baking sheet.
Bake Until Perfect:
Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are slightly underbaked.
Cool Properly:
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
A cookie with a unicorn design on it. Pin it
A cookie with a unicorn design on it. | myhomemaderecipe.com

My first batch turned into a dull, purple mess because I overmixed the colors. Now, I fold the dough gently and let the marbling happen naturally. The random swirls make each cookie unique!

Perfect Pairings

Serve with pastel-colored milk for a fun, Instagram-worthy treat.

Create a magical dessert board with these cookies, unicorn cupcakes, and rainbow popcorn.

Use them to make ice cream sandwiches with vanilla or cotton candy-flavored ice cream.

Color Variations

Galaxy Version: Use deep blue, purple, and black food coloring with silver sprinkles.

Seasonal Themes: Try pastels for Easter, red and green for Christmas, or team colors for sports parties.

Ombre Effect: Gradually shade each dough portion from light to dark for a gradient look.

Storage Solutions

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, separating layers with parchment paper.

Freeze dough balls for up to three months and bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time.

Soften slightly hardened cookies by placing them in a container with a slice of bread overnight.

A cookie with a face on it. Pin it
A cookie with a face on it. | myhomemaderecipe.com

These unicorn cookies are more than just eye-catching—they’re a nostalgic, joyful treat that brings magic to any celebration. Whether for birthdays, baby showers, or just because, they add a little wonder to every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why should I use gel food coloring instead of liquid food coloring?
Gel food colors provide more vibrant, concentrated color without adding extra liquid to the dough, which could change its consistency. This results in brighter tie-dye effects without affecting the texture of your cookies.
→ How can I prevent the colors from blending too much?
For distinct color swirls, avoid overmixing the colored doughs. Gently fold or twist them together just a few times until you see a marbled effect, then stop mixing to maintain separate color streaks.
→ Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before scooping and baking to ensure proper spreading.
→ What's the purpose of cream of tartar in this recipe?
Cream of tartar helps give these cookies their signature soft texture and prevents the sugar from crystallizing, resulting in cookies that stay soft even after cooling.
→ Can I use different color combinations for special occasions?
Absolutely! Customize the colors for holidays or events - red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, team colors for sports events, or pastels for Easter or baby showers.

Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies

These Tie-Dye Sugar Cookies feature vibrant swirls of colored dough studded with sprinkles for a playful and colorful twist on traditional sugar cookies.

Prep Time
25 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
37 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (About 24 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Cookie Base

01 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
02 1 1/2 cups (285g) granulated sugar
03 2 large eggs, at room temperature
04 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
05 3 ½ cups (420g) all-purpose flour
06 ½ teaspoon (2g) baking soda
07 ½ teaspoon (2g) cream of tartar
08 ¼ teaspoon (1.2g) salt

→ For Color and Decoration

09 ½ cup sprinkles, plus extra for rolling if desired
10 Gel food colors (Pink, Royal Blue, and Violet recommended, but any colors work)
11 Extra granulated sugar for rolling (optional)

Instructions

Step 01

Start by turning your oven to 350°F. While it's heating up, grab a large cookie sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This step is super important - it prevents your beautiful cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!

Step 02

In a large bowl, drop in your room temperature butter and sugar. Beat them together on medium speed until they're well combined and looking fluffy - about 2-3 minutes. You want that mixture to be light and airy! Now crack in your eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Keep mixing until everything's well incorporated and looking smooth. Don't rush this step - it's building the foundation for your cookies!

Step 03

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. This quick mixing ensures all those dry ingredients distribute evenly. Now, with your mixer on medium-low speed, gradually add this dry mixture to your butter mixture. Mix just until you see the dough starting to come together, then toss in those sprinkles and give it a final mix to incorporate them. Your dough should look amazing already with those little pops of color!

Step 04

Here comes the fun part! Divide your dough into 4 roughly equal portions. Set one portion aside - this will stay uncolored. For the other three portions, add a different gel food color to each. I like using pink, royal blue, and violet, but feel free to choose whatever colors make you happy! Work each color into its dough portion using a spatula or your hands (if you don't mind temporarily colorful fingers). Once you've got your four different colored doughs, place them all in one large bowl. Using a spoon or your hand, give them just a light swirl together - don't overmix or you'll lose that cool tie-dye effect!

Step 05

Using a cookie scoop (or a regular spoon if that's what you've got), portion out balls of dough. The fun part is seeing how each scoop has a unique color pattern! Roll each ball in some extra granulated sugar or more sprinkles if you want that extra sparkle and crunch. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie since they'll spread a bit while baking.

Step 06

Slide your cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. You're looking for the edges to be just set, while the centers might still look slightly soft - that's perfect! They'll continue cooking a bit from residual heat after you take them out. Don't overbake or you'll lose that wonderful soft-in-the-middle texture that makes these cookies so irresistible.

Step 07

Let your colorful creations cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes - they're still setting up during this time. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to finish cooling completely. As they cool, you'll see all those beautiful swirls of color really stand out! Once they're cool enough to handle, it's time to enjoy your tie-dye masterpieces. They're as fun to look at as they are delicious to eat!

Notes

  1. These eye-catching tie-dye cookies are perfect for birthday parties, bake sales, or anytime you want to add a colorful twist to classic sugar cookies.
  2. The cream of tartar is the secret ingredient that gives these cookies their soft, chewy texture and prevents the sugar from crystallizing.
  3. Gel food coloring works best for this recipe because it creates vibrant colors without adding extra liquid to the dough.
  4. Each cookie will have a unique pattern, making these a true one-of-a-kind treat every time you bake them!

Tools You'll Need

  • Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Cookie sheet
  • Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
  • Cookie scoop (medium or large)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose flour)
  • Contains dairy (butter)
  • Contains eggs
  • May contain artificial colors (from food coloring and sprinkles)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 185
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
  • Protein: 2 g