Springtime Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Springtime Crinkle Cookies are colorful, soft, and perfectly sweet treats that brighten up any occasion. Easy to make and fun to customize with your favorite gel food coloring, these cookies are sure to delight both kids and adults.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, purple, or colors of choice)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract if using.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
5. Step 5: Divide the dough into separate bowls based on the number of colors you want. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each and mix until fully incorporated.
6. Step 6: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough and enhance the crinkle effect.
7. Step 7: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring full coverage.
8. Step 8: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until they puff up and crack on top. The centers should remain slightly soft.
9. Step 9: Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a flavor twist, try substituting almond extract with lemon or orange extract.
• Use gel food coloring sparingly to avoid softening the dough too much.
• Make half the dough plain and the other half colored for a fun two-tone effect.
• If dough is too sticky after chilling, lightly flour your hands when rolling.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To refresh slightly softened cookies, warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?

Gel food coloring is preferred because it provides vibrant color without altering the dough’s consistency. Using liquid coloring may make the dough too soft.

Why do the cookies need to be chilled before baking?

Chilling firms the dough, making it easier to handle and helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking, ensuring the signature crinkle effect.

Springtime Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 137 reviews

These Springtime Crinkle Cookies are soft, colorful, and delightfully tender treats perfect for celebrating the vibrant flavors of the season. Featuring a classic crinkle texture with a festive twist, these cookies are coated in powdered sugar and baked to delicate perfection, making them an irresistible addition to any cookie platter or spring gathering.

• Author: Grace
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Coating and Coloring

• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
• Gel food coloring (pink, yellow, green, purple, or any colors of choice)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking during baking.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined, then set this mixture aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is essential for creating a soft texture in the cookies. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract if using to add extra flavor.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the creamed wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. The result will be a thick, slightly sticky dough.
5. Add Color: Divide the dough evenly into separate bowls based on how many colors you want to make. Add a few drops of your chosen gel food coloring to each portion and mix until the color is fully incorporated.
6. Chill the Dough: Cover each colored dough portion and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, which makes it easier to handle and helps create the signature crinkle effect during baking.
7. Roll in Powdered Sugar: After chilling, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Then, generously coat each ball in powdered sugar so they are well covered.
8. Bake: Arrange the powdered sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies puff up and cracks appear on the surface. The centers should remain slightly soft while the edges become set.
9. Cool: Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage and helps them set perfectly.

Notes

• Use gel food coloring instead of liquid to avoid altering the dough consistency.
• Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for proper creaming.
• Don’t overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to prevent tough cookies.
• Chilling the dough is crucial for the crinkle effect and easier handling.
• For a nut-free version, omit the almond extract.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• These cookies freeze well both before and after baking.

Keywords: crinkle cookies, colorful cookies, spring cookies, soft cookies, festive cookies, powdered sugar cookies, easy baking recipe