Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cookie Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (rainbow shades: pink, purple, blue, green, yellow)
- For the Filling:
- Vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade)
- Optional: Sprinkles, edible glitter, or pearl dust for decoration
Instructions
- Preparing the Dough: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into 5 equal portions and tint each with a different gel food color.
- Creating the Swirl Effect: Roll each colored portion into long ropes of equal thickness. Twist the ropes together gently to create a marbled effect. Cut the twisted dough into small pieces and roll them into balls. Flatten slightly and place on a lined baking sheet. Use your thumb or the back of a spoon to create an indentation in the center of each ball.
- Baking the Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Let cool completely before filling.
- Filling and Decorating: Fill each thumbprint indentation with vanilla frosting or jam. Add sprinkles, edible glitter, or pearl dust for extra sparkle.
Notes
- For gluten-free cookies, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Vegan alternative: Use plant-based butter, flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water per egg), and dairy-free frosting.
- Natural food coloring options include beet juice (pink), turmeric (yellow), spinach powder (green), and butterfly pea flower powder (blue).
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg