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Tie Dye Cookies: The Ultimate Guide to Swirling Success

  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Description

Fun and colorful tie-dye cookies that are as delicious as they are beautiful! Perfect for parties or a fun baking project.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Gel food coloring (red, blue, green, yellow, purple – or your favorite colors!)
  • Sprinkles
  • Edible glitter

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl (or stand mixer), cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-5 minutes).
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Divide the Dough: Divide the chilled cookie dough into equal portions, one for each color you plan to use.
  7. Color the Dough: Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each portion of dough. Use a toothpick or small spoon to mix the color into the dough until it’s evenly distributed.
  8. Combine the Colors: Take small pieces of each colored dough and gently press them together. Don’t overmix them, as you want to maintain the distinct colors. The goal is to create a marbled effect.
  9. Form the Cookies: Roll the combined dough into balls, about 1-2 inches in diameter. Place the cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  10. Slightly Flatten: Gently flatten the cookie dough balls with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
  11. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  12. Arrange Cookies on Baking Sheet: Place the cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
  13. Bake: Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  14. Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  15. Add Sprinkles (Optional): While the cookies are still warm, you can sprinkle them with sprinkles or edible glitter.
  16. Frosting (Optional): If you want to add frosting, let the cookies cool completely before frosting them. You can use a simple buttercream frosting or a more elaborate frosting recipe.

Notes

  • Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can result in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
  • Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
  • Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food coloring is more concentrated than liquid food coloring and won’t change the consistency of the dough as much.
  • Don’t Overbake: Overbaking the cookies can make them dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  • Let Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.
  • Storage Instructions: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cookies for longer storage. To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. The cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Variations:
    • Chocolate Chip Tie Dye Cookies: Add chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a chocolatey twist.
    • Peanut Butter Tie Dye Cookies: Add peanut butter to the cookie dough for a nutty flavor.
    • Gluten-Free Tie Dye Cookies: Use gluten-free flour to make gluten-free tie dye cookies.
    • Vegan Tie Dye Cookies: Use vegan butter and egg replacer to make vegan tie dye cookies.
  • Troubleshooting:
    • Cookies are spreading too much: Make sure you’re chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes. You can also add a tablespoon or two of flour to the dough if it’s too sticky.
    • Cookies are too dry: Don’t overbake the cookies. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown.
    • Cookies are too tough: Don’t overmix the dough. Mix until just combined.
    • Colors are blending together too much: Be gentle when combining the colored dough. Don’t overmix them.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes

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Find it online: https://www.sweetbananachef.com/tie-dye-cookies/