Experience the joy of baking with these Rainbow Checkerboard Cookies, a visually striking and delicious treat that brings fun colors and sweet flavors to your cookie jar. Perfect for parties, gifts, or a delightful snack, these cookies are as enjoyable to make as they are to eat, with their soft texture and vibrant, playful patterns.
Ingredients
- Flour: 2 cups
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Baking Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup
- Sugar: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Milk: 2 tablespoons
- Food Coloring: Pink, orange, yellow, green, blue
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and baking powder.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and milk, and mix well.
- Gradually blend in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Color the Dough:
- Divide the dough into five equal parts.
- Color each part with a different food coloring (pink, orange, yellow, green, blue).
- Shape the Cookies:
- Take small pieces from each colored dough and shape them into squares.
- Assemble these squares into a checkerboard pattern, using alternating colors.
- Gently press the assembled dough together and roll it slightly with a rolling pin to ensure the pieces stick together.
- Slice and Bake:
- Wrap the dough log in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
- Once chilled, slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick cookies.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the cookies on the baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips
- Even Coloring: To achieve vibrant colors, use gel food coloring which is more intense and blends more smoothly into the dough without altering its consistency.
- Chilling Is Key: Chill the dough thoroughly before slicing to maintain sharp, clean lines in the checkerboard pattern.
- Dough Handling: Handle the dough gently when forming cookies to preserve the colors and prevent the dough from becoming tough.
FAQs
- How can I store these cookies?
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Can I freeze the dough?
- Yes, you can freeze the dough wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 16 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Conclusion
Rainbow Checkerboard Cookies are a delightful way to add color and creativity to your baking adventures. These cookies are perfect for sharing and are sure to impress with their beautiful appearance and delicious taste. Enjoy baking and serving these little works of art that are sure to bring smiles and a touch of whimsy to any occasion.