Rainbow Sugar Cookies With Easy Buttercream Frosting

Last Updated on February 22, 2026 by Souhail

There is something magical about walking into a bakery in New York City and seeing a display case filled with vibrant treats. I remember my first job in a bustling SoHo pastry shop when I was twenty-two. The head baker would let me handle the decorating station on busy weekends, and nothing brought more joy to customers than seeing a tray of rainbow sugar cookies fresh out of the oven. Those colors reminded me of childhood birthdays and street festivals where everything felt a little brighter.

Now that I am in my thirties and running my own test kitchen, I still turn to this recipe when I need a pick-me-up or a centerpiece for a gathering. It fits perfectly into everyday life as a comforting treat that doubles as a fun activity for kids or a impressive dessert for guests. The flavor profile is classic vanilla butter with a hint of almond, balanced by a sweet buttercream frosting that melts in your mouth. What makes this recipe so special is the texture. We all hate a hard cookie that hurts your teeth. These stay soft for days, making them ideal for meal prep or baking ahead for events.

Why This Recipe Works (And Why You’ll Love It)

Let’s be honest, making cookies from scratch can sometimes feel like a science experiment gone wrong. But this recipe? It is foolproof. I have tweaked the ratios over the years to ensure you get that perfect balance of chewy center and slightly crisp edge every single time. Here is why this specific method stands out in my cookbook collection:

• The Secret to Softness: We use a combination of melted butter and a touch of cornstarch. This keeps the cookies incredibly soft even days after baking.
• Vibrant Colors Without Bleeding: By using gel food coloring instead of liquid, we achieve those stunning rainbow hues without altering the dough consistency or causing the colors to run into each other.
• Customizable Fun: This base dough is incredibly versatile. Want to go vegan? Swap the butter for a high-quality plant-based stick and use a flax egg. Need them gluten-free? A one-to-one gluten-free flour blend works beautifully here.
• No Chilling Required (Mostly): While chilling helps, this dough is sturdy enough to roll and cut immediately if you are in a rush, though I always recommend a quick rest for the best shape retention.

If you love experimenting with colorful desserts, you might also enjoy checking out our guide on rainbow sprinkle cookies for another fun twist on festive treats.

Pro Tips for Perfect Rainbow Cookies

Baking is an art, but it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve. When I first started teaching cooking classes in Brooklyn, these were the exact tips I shared with my students to elevate their cookie game.

First, invest in gel food coloring. Liquid dye adds too much moisture to the dough, which can make your cookies cakey rather than chewy. Gel gives you intense color with just a tiny drop. Second, when rolling out your dough, try to keep it between 1/4 and 3/8 inch thick. Too thin, and they will burn before the centers set; too thick, and they won’t cook through evenly.

Another huge tip is to rotate your baking sheets halfway through the cooking time. Ovens often have hot spots, especially in older New York apartments like mine. Rotating ensures every cookie bakes to the same golden perfection. Finally, let your cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least five minutes before moving them. They are very fragile when hot and will break if you try to move them too soon. If you are looking for more no-bake fun to pair with these, our Rice Krispie treats make a fantastic companion dessert for a kids’ party.

Variants of the Recipe

One of the best things about a solid sugar cookie base is how easily it transforms. You can take this exact recipe and create entirely new experiences just by swapping out a few elements. Whether you have dietary restrictions or just want to try something wild, there is a version here for you.

The Zesty Citrus Twist For a brighter, more sophisticated flavor profile, replace the vanilla extract with lemon or orange extract. You can also add a teaspoon of fresh zest to each colored portion of the dough. This variation cuts through the sweetness of the frosting and feels incredibly refreshing during the spring and summer months. The citrus oils interact beautifully with the sugar, creating a complex aroma that fills the entire kitchen.

The Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Option Making this recipe inclusive is easier than you think. Simply substitute your all-purpose flour with a reputable gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum. For the dairy component, use a vegan butter stick that has a similar fat content to regular butter (avoid spreads with high water content). This version tastes nearly identical to the original, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy a safe and delicious treat.

The Chocolate Swirl Edition Take two portions of your divided dough and mix in high-quality cocoa powder to create a chocolate version. Instead of keeping the colors separate, you can lightly marble the chocolate dough with the vanilla rainbow dough before cutting. This creates a stunning visual effect and offers a rich chocolate contrast to the sweet vanilla frosting. It is a great way to use up extra dough if you want to try something different.

Serving Suggestions

Presentation is everything when it comes to rainbow treats. I love serving these cookies on a tiered stand to really show off the height and variety of colors. Pair them with a tall glass of cold milk or a frothy cappuccino if you are enjoying an afternoon break.

For a party setting, arrange them alongside other colorful sweets like our pesto pasta salad for a savory contrast at a picnic, or serve them after a hearty meal like loaded nachos to end the night on a sweet note. Garnish the plate with extra sprinkles or edible glitter to make them sparkle under the lights.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

These cookies stay fresh for up to five days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Make sure to place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies; this old baker’s trick helps maintain moisture and keeps them soft. If you need to store them longer, they freeze beautifully for up to three months. Freeze the unfrosted cookies first, then wrap them tightly.

To reheat, simply let them come to room temperature or microwave them for ten seconds to restore that freshly baked warmth. Avoid reheating frosted cookies as the icing may melt and become messy.

Creative Uses for the Recipe

Don’t limit these beauties to just a snack plate. Crumble leftover cookies over ice cream for a colorful crunch, or use whole cookies as the base for mini ice cream sandwiches. You can also thread smaller cut-out shapes onto skewers to create edible cookie kabobs for birthday parties.

Another fun idea is to use them as decorative toppers for cupcakes or as part of a dessert charcuterie board. The possibilities are endless when you have a batch of vibrant, delicious cookies ready to go. If you need more inspiration for basic dough techniques, our classic sugar cookie recipe is a great resource to revisit

How Do You Make it

Rainbow Sugar Cookies

Recipe by Fatima Zahrae

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

45

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

185

kcal

Discover how to make the most vibrant and soft rainbow sugar cookies with this easy, step-by-step guide perfect for bakers of all levels.

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Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 0.5 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1.5 cups granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 0.5 teaspoon almond extract

• Gel food coloring (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 0.5 cup butter, softened (for frosting)

• 3 tablespoons heavy cream

• Sprinkles for decoration

Directions

• Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and lining two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined, then set this mixture aside.
• In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color, which should take about three to four minutes.
• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, and then mix in the vanilla and almond extracts until fully incorporated.
• Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until the dough comes together and no white streaks of flour remain.
• Divide the dough evenly into six small bowls.
• Add a different color of gel food coloring to each bowl and knead it in with your hands or a spatula until the color is uniform and vibrant.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one color of dough at a time to about 0.25 inch thickness and cut into your desired shapes using cookie cutters.
• Place the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
• Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are just barely starting to turn golden brown while the centers still look soft.
• Remove the pans from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cookies cool, make the frosting by beating the softened butter until creamy, then gradually adding the powdered sugar and heavy cream until smooth and spreadable.
• Divide the frosting into bowls if you want colored frosting, or keep it white, and spread it generously over the cooled cookies.
• Finish by adding sprinkles immediately before the frosting sets, then enjoy your colorful creation.

Notes

• Gel food coloring is highly recommended over liquid dye to prevent the dough from becoming too wet.
• If the dough becomes too sticky while rolling, chill it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before continuing.
• Ensure your butter is softened but not melted for the best texture in both the cookie and the frosting.
• You can freeze the unbaked cut-out cookies on a tray and then transfer to a bag for baking later; just add 1-2 minutes to the bake time.
• For sharper edges on your cut-outs, dip the cookie cutter in flour between each cut.
• Store frosted cookies in a single layer to prevent the designs from smudging.

Nutrition Facts

• Total number of serves: 24
• Calories: 185kcal
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Cholesterol: 0.35mg
• Sodium: 0.95mg
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 0.2g
• Sugar: 19g
• Protein: 1.5g

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FAQS

Printable Shopping List

• 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 1.5 cups Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 1.5 cups Granulated Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 0.5 tsp Almond Extract
• Gel Food Coloring Set (Rainbow)
• 4 cups Powdered Sugar
• 3 tbsp Heavy Cream
• Assorted Sprinkles

Health Benefits of the Recipe

While this is undoubtedly a treat, baking at home allows you to control the quality of ingredients. Using real butter provides Vitamin A and healthy fats, and making your own frosting avoids the hydrogenated oils often found in store-bought canned frostings. Plus, the act of baking itself is a wonderful stress reliever, offering mental health benefits by encouraging mindfulness and creativity. Enjoying a small cookie can be part of a balanced lifestyle when savored consciously.

Closing Thoughts

There you have it, friends! My ultimate guide to making rainbow sugar cookies that are as soft as a cloud and as bright as a summer day. I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it has to mine over the years. Remember, baking is about having fun, so don’t stress if your colors aren’t perfect or if a cookie breaks.

Those imperfections just make them homemade. Once you master these, why not try your hand at some savory delights like our loaded nachos or a fresh pesto pasta salad to round out your menu? Happy baking, and I can’t wait to hear how they turn out!