Jello Sugar Cookies – Soft, Chewy & Colorful Treats Recipe
Jello Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and colorful treats infused with vibrant Jello gelatin flavors. These easy-to-make cookies feature a buttery base enhanced with fruity gelatin powders, creating a fun twist on classic sugar cookies perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Isla
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24-30 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Flavoring & Coating
- 3–4 flavors of Jello gelatin powder (e.g., strawberry, lime, grape), 1–2 tbsp each per portion
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling the dough balls
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which ensures a tender, airy cookie texture.
- Add Egg: Beat in the large egg thoroughly until fully incorporated to help bind the cookie dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the butter and sugar mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing to avoid tough cookies.
- Divide and Flavor Dough: Divide the dough into 3 to 4 equal parts. To each portion, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of a different Jello gelatin flavor (such as strawberry, lime, or grape) and mix well to evenly incorporate the flavor and color.
- Chill Dough: Cover and chill the flavored dough portions in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. Chilling firms the dough, which helps prevent excessive spreading while baking.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into small balls, then coat each ball thoroughly with additional granulated sugar. Slightly flatten the coated dough balls before placing them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops show a crackled appearance, indicating the cookies are done but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents breaking and retains softness.
Notes
- Use regular Jello gelatin powder (not sugar-free) for the best vibrant color and flavor.
- Chilling the dough before baking is essential to reduce spreading and achieve a thicker cookie.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- You can also freeze the cookies for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Keywords: Jello Sugar Cookies, Soft Cookies, Chewy Cookies, Colorful Cookies, Fruity Cookies, Easy Dessert, Handmade Cookies