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Chewy Rainbow Sugar Cookies Recipe with Bright Colorful Icing Made Easy

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These chewy rainbow sugar cookies feature a soft, chewy texture with bright, colorful icing that is perfect for celebrations or a fun treat any day. The recipe is quick, easy, and uses simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature, not melted)
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110g) light brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3–4 tbsp whole milk or heavy cream (use dairy-free milk if needed)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Food coloring gels or natural powders (such as beetroot powder, spirulina, or turmeric)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat ¾ cup (170g) softened unsalted butter with 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar and ½ cup (110g) light brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, then mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract. Do not overmix.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in batches, mixing on low speed just until combined. If dough is too sticky, chill in fridge for 10 minutes.
  6. Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion dough balls (about 1.5 tbsp or 25g each) onto baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are just starting to turn golden but centers still look soft.
  8. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
  9. In a medium bowl, combine 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar with 3 tablespoons milk (or cream) and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, adding more milk a drop at a time if too thick.
  10. Divide icing into small bowls and add food coloring to each to create vibrant rainbow shades. Stir well.
  11. Use a butter knife or small spatula to spread icing on each cooled cookie. For a marbled effect, layer or swirl colors.
  12. Let cookies rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow icing to set.

Notes

Do not overbake cookies to maintain chewiness; pull them out when edges are golden but centers are still soft. Keep butter at room temperature for best dough consistency. Chill dough if too sticky to handle. Use gel food coloring for bright icing colors and apply icing only on cooled cookies to prevent melting. If icing thickens while decorating, add a splash of milk to restore spreadability.

Nutrition

Keywords: chewy sugar cookies, rainbow cookies, colorful icing, easy sugar cookies, soft cookies, festive cookies, kid-friendly cookies

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/chewy-rainbow-sugar-cookies-recipe-with-bright-colorful-icing-made-easy/