These Ombré Sugar Cookies Are Springtime Perfection

A recipe to brighten your day and your dessert menu.

By Esmé Stern

Updated on Oct 12, 2018

0

Share

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Photography by Michael Wiltbank, Styling by Anna Harrington

For many of us, the first few weeks of self-isolation included pouring through our saved folders for the recipes we had always wanted to try but never had the time to. #TheStew? Check. Fancy cocktails? Done. Odds are, you’re in the market for a new recipe to keep your shelter-in-place buddies happy and your stomach full. Presenting: Domino’s favorite sugar cookies.

The most humble member of the baked goods family got a major makeover just in time for Passover, Easter, and all things spring with ombré icing. As easy to make as they are pretty, the vibrant treats won’t disappoint on the dessert menu. Your afternoon just got a whole lot sweeter. 

Cookie Ingredients

  • 3 sticks softened salted butter
  • 1 cup white sugar (superfine works best)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (and an additional ¼ cup for rolling out on the counter)
  • ½ tsp salt (taste your dough before you start rolling; you may want to add a bit more)

Cookie Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together, then beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour cup by cup with blender on low, then add salt. 
  2. Divide dough into 4 patties. Wrap in plastic or parchment paper and cool in fridge for at least 1 hour (you can also use the next day). 
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Use a bit of flour to help roll out the dough to be ⅛-inch thick. Don’t make it too thin! Cut into your favorite shapes and transfer onto baking sheets covered in parchment paper. Bake about 10 minutes—until you can just see a very slight browning at edges. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Allow to fully cool before icing. 
  5. Make icing. Then paint icing on with a brush. 

Icing Ingredients 

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tbsp whole milk 

Icing Instructions 

  1. Put powdered sugar and milk in a bowl. 
  2. Mix with electric mixer or whisk, slowly adding an additional bit of milk or sugar, if needed, to get the consistency you want.
  3. Use immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
  4. When ready to use, divide into small bowls and add food coloring to make your colors. If possible, use one brush per color so as not to mix. 
  5. Allow iced cookies to sit to dry for many hours—preferably overnight.

See more recipes we’re loving: The No-Brainer Meals Chefs Make When They’re Too Tired to CookHow to Make Dinner With What’s in Your FreezerWhat Chefs Make When They Don’t Have Time to Grocery Shop