Rainbow Cookies are a cheerful, colorful dessert that brings fun and flavor together in every bite. These layered cookies showcase a vibrant array of pastel hues, enhanced with a delicate drizzle of glaze and a shimmering sprinkle of edible glitter. With a sweet, buttery taste and soft, chewy texture, they’re the perfect treat for parties, holidays, and joyful gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookies are more than just visually striking—they’re also irresistibly delicious. The dough is rich and buttery with a tender crumb, while the pastel layers create a beautiful mosaic effect that turns every batch into a showstopper. They’re a fantastic choice for birthdays, baby showers, Pride events, or simply to add a bit of color to your cookie tray. Easy to customize with your choice of colors and decoration, they’re as fun to make as they are to eat.
ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cookie Dough:
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- unsalted butter, softened
- granulated sugar
- vanilla extract
- large eggs
- food coloring (pink, yellow, purple, green, etc.)
- edible glitter (for decoration)
For the Glaze:
- powdered sugar
- water (or lemon juice for added flavor)
directions
Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough evenly into as many portions as you have colors.
- Add food coloring to each portion, mixing thoroughly to create vibrant pastel shades.
Assemble the Rainbow Layers:
- Roll out each colored portion of dough between parchment paper to approximately 1/4-inch thickness.
- Carefully stack the layers on top of each other, aligning them as evenly as possible.
- Trim the edges to form a neat rectangle.
- Chill the stacked dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Cut the Cookies:
- Once chilled, remove the dough from the refrigerator and cut into 1-inch squares.
- Arrange the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
Bake the Cookies:
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before glazing.
Glaze and Garnish:
- Mix the powdered sugar with water or lemon juice until smooth.
- Drizzle lightly over each cooled cookie.
- Sprinkle with edible glitter for a festive sparkle.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes.
- Serve at room temperature or package as colorful gifts for any celebration.
Servings and timing
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Calories: Approximately 140 kcal per cookie
Variations
- Flavored Layers: Add different flavor extracts (like lemon, almond, or coconut) to each colored dough portion.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Replace the glaze with melted white or dark chocolate for a richer finish.
- Holiday Themes: Customize the colors for seasonal events—red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, etc.
- Sprinkle Topping: Use rainbow or themed sprinkles instead of glitter.
- Vegan Version: Substitute dairy-free butter and use an egg replacer for a plant-based treat.
storage/reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To extend freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, though they are best enjoyed at room temperature. These cookies can also be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 2 months—just thaw before glazing and serving.
FAQs
Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Yes, gel food coloring provides more vibrant color without affecting the dough consistency.
Why do I need to chill the dough before slicing?
Chilling helps firm the dough stack, making it easier to cut clean, even squares without smudging the layers.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely. The dough can be prepared and chilled a day in advance, or you can bake and glaze them up to 2 days ahead.
What type of edible glitter should I use?
Use edible glitter specifically labeled as “food-safe” for decorating. Avoid craft glitters, which are not intended for consumption.
Can I roll the dough into a log and slice instead of layering?
Yes, you can create a swirl effect by rolling colored dough into a log and slicing rounds before baking.
How do I keep the colors from blending?
Use a clean surface and parchment paper for each color, and chill the dough to keep layers distinct.
Is there a way to make the cookies more chewy?
For a chewier texture, slightly underbake them and let them cool on the baking sheet.
Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, the glaze is optional, but it adds a nice sheen and helps the glitter or sprinkles adhere.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to adapt the recipe for those with gluten sensitivities.
What’s the best way to store glazed cookies?
Keep them in a single layer or use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.
Conclusion
Rainbow Cookies are a festive, fun-to-make dessert that adds a pop of color and joy to any table. Whether you’re baking them for a party, celebration, or just to brighten someone’s day, these cookies deliver both charm and flavor. With their eye-catching layers and sweet glaze, they’re sure to become a favorite for bakers and guests alike.
PrintRainbow Cookies
Fun and festive rainbow cookies made with layers of pastel-colored buttery dough, finished with a light glaze and sparkling edible glitter—perfect for parties and celebrations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- Food coloring (pink, yellow, purple, green, etc.)
- Edible glitter (for decoration)
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water (or lemon juice)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, beating well to combine.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough into portions and add food coloring to each to create pastel shades.
- Roll each colored dough portion between parchment paper into 1/4-inch thick sheets.
- Stack colored sheets evenly, trim edges, and chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Cut chilled dough into 1-inch squares and place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Mix powdered sugar with water or lemon juice to make a glaze.
- Drizzle glaze over cookies and sprinkle with edible glitter.
- Let glaze set before serving and enjoy your vibrant cookies!
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant pastel hues without altering dough texture.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain clean edges when slicing cookies.
- Lemon juice in the glaze adds a subtle tart contrast to the sweet cookie.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg