Description
Colorful rainbow cookies bring a delightful burst of joy to your dessert table, blending Italian-American bakery traditions with playful culinary creativity. Sweet almond layers painted in vibrant hues promise a memorable treat that will charm guests and satisfy cookie enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 3 cups + 3 tablespoons (408 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, cold
- 3 cups (510 grams) white or semisweet chocolate chips
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup (220 grams) light brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
Flavor and Texture Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3–8 colors of food coloring or gel
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick spray.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
- Cream cold butter with light brown and granulated sugars until smooth and fluffy in a large bowl.
- Incorporate eggs, egg yolk, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until uniform and creamy.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing just until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Separate dough into equal portions and introduce vibrant food coloring to each segment, kneading until colors are evenly distributed.
- Stretch each colored dough portion into 14-15 inch rope-like strands, then arrange side by side on parchment paper, lightly twisting and pressing together to create a marbled log effect.
- Slice the multicolored log into 1/2-inch thick rounds, rolling each slice into a compact sphere and positioning on prepared baking sheets with sufficient spacing.
- Bake for 9-13 minutes until cookie edges appear set and slightly golden, allowing cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack for complete cooling.
Notes
- Customize colors by using gel food coloring for more vibrant, intense rainbow effects without altering dough consistency.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain precise color layering during baking.
- Try natural food colorings like beetroot powder, spirulina, or turmeric for healthier, chemical-free rainbow alternatives.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to ensure even baking and prevent cookie bottoms from burning while maintaining soft, chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg