Jello Sugar Cookies – Soft, Chewy Colorful Treats Everyone Loves Recipe
Jello Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and colorful treats that add a fun twist to classic sugar cookies with the vibrant flavors and hues from Jello gelatin powder. Perfect for parties and everyday snacking, these cookies are easy to make and loved by everyone.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (cold for better texture)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar (no substitutions needed)
- 1 large Large Egg (consider a flax egg for a vegan option)
- 2 cups All-purpose Flour (switch to whole wheat for a heartier bite)
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder (can substitute baking soda)
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt (sea salt brings extra depth)
Flavoring and Decoration
- 3 ounces Jello Gelatin Powder (use regular Jello, not sugar-free)
- 1/4 cup Additional Sugar (colored sugar can make them visually appealing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This incorporates air, giving the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Egg: Beat in the large egg to the butter and sugar mixture until fully incorporated, which helps bind the ingredients together.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure the leavening and seasoning are evenly distributed.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined to form a soft dough. Overmixing can make cookies tough.
- Divide and Flavor Dough: Divide the dough into 3-4 portions and blend each portion with 1-2 tablespoons of different Jello powder flavors to create vibrant, flavorful cookie doughs.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough portions for 15-20 minutes to firm up, which prevents spreading during baking and helps maintain shape.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into balls, coat each ball in the additional sugar, then flatten slightly to help them bake evenly and develop a crackled surface.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops show a delicate crackle pattern, indicating they are done.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents sogginess and allows them to firm up properly.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes).
- Using cold butter improves the cookie texture, making them less spread-out and chewier.
- Colored sugars used for coating the dough balls add extra visual appeal and a bit of crunch.
- Allowing the dough to chill makes handling easier and helps retain the cookie shape during baking.
- Feel free to experiment with different Jello flavors to create a variety of colors and tastes.
Keywords: Jello sugar cookies, colorful sugar cookies, soft chewy cookies, easy dessert recipe, holiday treats, party cookies
