Description
Colorful hidden rainbow cookies showcase unexpected layers of delight inside classic sugar cookie exteriors. Crisp edges and sweet surprises invite bakers to explore playful baking techniques with simple ingredients and creative design.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
Decorating Ingredients:
- Food coloring (red, yellow, and blue)
- Sprinkles for coating
Instructions
- Transform room temperature butter and sugar into a cloud-like, fluffy mixture using a stand mixer on high speed for approximately 3 minutes, creating essential air pockets for cookie texture.
- Incorporate the egg at medium-low speed, ensuring complete integration by scraping bowl sides with a rubber spatula until the dough appears glossy and smooth.
- Gently introduce flour and salt on low speed to prevent flour dispersion, gradually increasing to medium speed until ingredients are just combined without overmixing.
- Introduce milk at low speed, blending until the dough becomes smooth and pliable with optimal moisture content.
- Divide dough into portions using an ice cream scoop, then create rainbow colors by adding food coloring. Prepare six distinct shades: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple, reserving uncolored dough for cookie exterior.
- Craft each cookie by flattening uncolored dough into an oval, then strategically layer colored dough sections from red to purple. Carefully encase the rainbow layers by rolling and sealing the exterior dough.
- Embellish cookie surfaces with sprinkles, coating approximately 3/4 of each ball. Arrange on baking sheet and refrigerate for 2 hours to stabilize butter and maintain cookie structure.
- Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, watching for subtle golden edges. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Room temperature butter is crucial for creating those magical air pockets that give your cookies a light, fluffy texture. Let it sit out for about 30-45 minutes before starting to ensure perfect creaming.
- When creating rainbow colors, start with primary colors and blend gradually. Use toothpicks or small tools for precise food coloring drops to achieve vibrant, consistent shades without over-saturating the dough.
- Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies celiac-friendly. Add an extra tablespoon of milk to compensate for the different flour absorption.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg