Introduction

Rainbow Jello Sugar Cookies are a fun and colorful twist on classic sugar cookies. Infused with bright, fruity jelly powders, these cookies are soft inside with a delightfully crisp sugar coating. They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or whenever you want a cheerful treat.

The image shows a stack of five soft, sugar-coated cookies arranged in layers on a white plate with a colorful pattern. The top cookie is partially bitten, revealing a soft texture inside and a gradient of colors from pink at the edges, to orange in the middle, and a green ring near the center. Below it are two pink cookies, then a bright yellow cookie in the middle, and another pink cookie at the bottom, all with coarse sugar crystals sparkling on their surfaces. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

226 grams unsalted butter, softened
200 grams granulated sugar
1 large egg
5 milliliters vanilla extract
280 grams all-purpose flour
2 grams baking soda
2 grams baking powder
1 gram fine salt
4 packets (85 grams each) flavored jelly powder, assorted colors (e.g., strawberry, orange, lime, grape)
50 grams granulated sugar (for coating)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 175°C and line two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and 200 grams granulated sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes.
Step 3: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until fully combined.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a smooth dough forms.
Step 5: Divide the dough evenly into four portions. Add a different flavor of jelly powder to each portion and knead until the color is uniform throughout.
Step 6: Shape each colored dough portion into balls about 2.5 cm in diameter using a spoon or scoop for consistency.
Step 7: Roll each dough ball in the 50 grams of granulated sugar, coating completely to create a crisp exterior.
Step 8: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared trays, spacing them about 5 cm apart to allow spreading during baking.
Step 9: Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft for the best texture.
Step 10: Let the cookies cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

For more intense color, add an extra half packet of jelly powder to each dough portion.
Use different jelly powder flavors to match holiday themes or personal preferences.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to reduce spreading if you prefer thicker cookies.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Reheat briefly in a warm oven or microwave to refresh their softness and sugar crunch.

How to Serve

A close-up image showing a stack of three round, sugar-coated soft candies shaped like flower petals, each candy divided into colorful segments. The top candy has six segments colored in yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, and green, arranged in a circle with a rough sugar texture. Below it, there is a candy with orange and yellow segments, and the bottom candy has red and orange segments. The candies are placed on a white plate on a white marbled surface, creating a bright and playful look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of flavored powders instead of jelly powder?

Yes, you can experiment with powdered drink mixes or flavored gelatin to achieve different tastes, but ensure they don’t contain too much acid or salt, which can affect the dough texture.

Why are my cookies spreading too much during baking?

Excess spreading may occur if the dough is too warm or the oven temperature is too low. Try chilling the dough before baking and make sure your oven is properly preheated to 175°C.

Rainbow Jello Sugar Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 92 reviews

These colorful Rainbow Jello Sugar Cookies bring a fun twist to classic sugar cookies by incorporating flavored jelly powders for vibrant colors and unique fruity flavors. Soft and slightly chewy with a crisp sugar coating, these cookies are perfect for parties, celebrations, or any time you want a sweet treat with a pop of color and flavor.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert, Cookies
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

226 grams unsalted butter, softened
200 grams granulated sugar
1 large egg
5 milliliters vanilla extract
280 grams all-purpose flour
2 grams baking soda
2 grams baking powder
1 gram fine salt

Coloring and Coating

4 packets (85 grams each) flavored jelly powder, assorted colors (e.g., strawberry, orange, lime, grape)
50 grams granulated sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

Prepare Oven and Baking Trays: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line two baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking and ensure even baking.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and 200 grams of granulated sugar together on medium speed. Continue mixing for about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps create tender cookies with a good texture.
Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat until fully incorporated, making sure the mixture is smooth and uniform.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
Portion and Color Dough: Divide the dough evenly into four equal portions. To each portion, add a different flavored jelly powder (strawberry, orange, lime, grape, etc.) and knead until the dough is uniformly colored and the flavor is evenly distributed.
Shape Cookie Dough: Using a spoon or cookie scoop, portion each colored dough into balls approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter. This ensures even-sized cookies that bake evenly.
Coat in Sugar: Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the 50 grams of granulated sugar. This coating adds a delightful crunchy exterior to the soft cookie inside.
Arrange on Baking Trays: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking trays, spacing them about 5 cm (2 inches) apart to allow space for spreading while baking.
Bake: Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Watch carefully and remove them when the edges just begin to turn lightly golden but the centers remain soft. This timing ensures the perfect chewy texture.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking trays for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breaking and preserves their shape.

Notes

Use flavored jelly powders (Jello) for vibrant colors and fruity tastes; do not substitute with non-flavored gelatin powders.
Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming and better texture.
Do not overbake to maintain soft chewy centers.
Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
For extra shimmer, try rolling dough balls in colored sanding sugar instead of plain granulated sugar.

Keywords: Rainbow Jello Sugar Cookies, colorful sugar cookies, jello cookies, flavored jelly powder cookies, soft sugar cookies, vibrant cookies