Pastel Crinkle Cookies (Printable view)

Soft, chewy cookies with crackled sugar coating and delicate pastel colors—ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

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

09 - Pink, yellow, green, and blue gel food coloring

10 - ¾ cup powdered sugar

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

03 - In a large bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Mix well.

05 - Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in two parts, alternating with milk, mixing until just combined.

06 - Divide the 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 them in powdered sugar until well coated, and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.

09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes, or 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.

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The crackled sugar coating creates such satisfying textures, crisp outside and pillowy within
These are foolproof enough for beginner bakers but impressive enough for gifting
One dough becomes four colors, making them perfect for celebrations and rainbow lovers

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Chilling the dough briefly prevents the colors from bleeding together in the oven
Roll dough balls in powdered sugar just before baking or it will absorb into the dough
Underbaking slightly keeps them chewy, they firm up as they cool on the sheet

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