Pastel Crinkle Cookies (Printable)

Soft, chewy cookies with pastel colors and crackled powdered sugar coating. Ready in 30 minutes, perfect 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 Steps:

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 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Mix until well incorporated.
05 - Add flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two parts, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide dough evenly into 3 or 4 bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring, mixing gently to achieve pastel shades.
07 - Chill dough for 20 minutes if it feels too soft to handle.
08 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough. Roll in powdered sugar until well coated and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and tops are crackled but still soft in the center.
10 - Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These cookies look fancy but come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably have
  • The crackled sugar coating creates such a beautiful contrast against the soft colorful centers
02 -
  • Gel food coloring is essential because liquid coloring will make your dough too sticky
  • The dough must be well coated in powdered sugar or the crackle effect will not develop properly
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients mix together more smoothly and create better texture
  • Do not overbake or the soft centers will dry out and lose that chewy texture

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