Pastel Crinkle Cookies (Print Version)

Soft chewy pastel cookies with crackled powdered sugar coating in spring colors.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/4 cup whole milk

→ For Coloring

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

→ For Rolling

10 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
04 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Mix until well incorporated.
05 - Add flour mixture to wet ingredients in two parts, alternating with milk. Mix until just combined.
06 - Divide dough evenly into 3 or 4 bowls. Tint each portion with gel food coloring, mixing gently to achieve pastel shades.
07 - Refrigerate dough for 20 minutes if it feels too soft to handle.
08 - Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll in powdered sugar until well coated, and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and tops are crackled but centers remain soft.
10 - Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • These cookies look like you spent hours on them, but the dough comes together in under twenty minutes flat
  • The crackled exterior gives way to the most impossibly soft, chewy center that keeps people coming back for just one more
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that liquid food coloring will completely change the texture of the dough, so stick to gel coloring for best results
  • Chilling the dough even briefly makes rolling so much easier and helps the cracks develop better in the oven
03 -
  • Use a cookie scoop so all your cookies are the same size and bake evenly
  • Do not skip the powdered sugar coating, it is essential for that signature crackled appearance

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