Pastel Crinkle Cookies (Printable Version)
Soft, chewy cookies with crackled sugar coating and delicate pastel colors—ideal for spring celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cookie Dough
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1½ teaspoons baking powder
03 - ¼ teaspoon salt
04 - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - ¼ cup whole milk
→ For Coloring
09 - Pink, yellow, green, and blue gel food coloring
→ For Rolling
10 - ¾ cup powdered sugar
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
05 - Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two parts, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
06 - Divide dough evenly into 3 or 4 bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring, mixing gently to achieve pastel shades.
07 - If dough feels too soft or sticky, refrigerate for 20 minutes to make it easier to handle.
08 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll generously in powdered sugar until completely coated, and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set and tops show crackled appearance while centers remain soft.
10 - Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The crackled sugar coating creates this incredible texture, crisp and sweet on the outside while staying soft and almost gooey inside
- Theyre impossibly pretty but actually foolproof, even if youve never colored dough before
02 -
- Gel food coloring is much more concentrated than liquid, so start with tiny amounts and add more gradually
- Dont skip the powdered sugar coating, its what creates those beautiful crackles as the cookies bake
03 -
- Dont overmix the dough once you add the flour, or your cookies might turn out tough instead of tender
- If your kitchen is warm, chill the colored dough portions for 15 minutes before rolling, it prevents sticking