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Pastel Marbled Sugar Cookies

Soft, buttery sugar cookies with beautiful pastel swirls in pink, blue, and vanilla, perfect for any celebration.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Bakery
Calories: 145
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cookie Dough
  • 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 egg large
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp milk
For Coloring
  • pink gel food coloring
  • blue gel food coloring
  • extra flour for dusting

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly.
  2. Cream together softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Add egg, vanilla extract, and milk to butter mixture, beating until completely incorporated.
  4. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
  5. Divide cookie dough into three equal portions in separate bowls.
  6. Leave one portion plain, tint second portion with pink food coloring, and color third portion with blue food coloring.
  7. Tear small pieces from each colored dough and gently press together to create marbled effect without overworking.
  8. Shape marbled dough into 1.5-inch diameter balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
  9. Gently flatten each dough ball to about ½ inch thickness.
  10. Chill shaped cookies in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking.
  11. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) while cookies chill.
  12. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are just set but centers still appear slightly soft.
  13. Cool cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for best results. Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Avoid overmixing when creating marble effect for distinct color swirls.