These adorable Pink Chilled Sugar Cookies are soft, sweet, and beautifully colorful! Topped with a creamy pink frosting, they look as good as they taste.
Who can resist a cookie that’s both cute and tasty? I love popping them in the fridge for a cool treat, especially on warm days. Perfect for sharing or just for me! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Fresh softened butter creates a rich flavor. If you’re out of unsalted, you can use salted butter and reduce the added salt slightly.
Granulated Sugar: This provides sweetness and helps achieve that nice cookie texture. For a healthier twist, you can substitute half with coconut sugar, but it will change the color and flavor slightly.
All-Purpose Flour: Standard for cookies, but you can swap with a gluten-free blend if needed. Just ensure it has a binding agent like xanthan gum included.
Heavy Cream: It adds creaminess to the frosting. If you want to lighten it up, you could use milk or a non-dairy milk substitute, like almond or oat milk.
Pink Food Coloring: Use any food coloring you like! Natural dyes from beet juice or hibiscus can give a lovely pink hue without artificial ingredients.
How Do I Ensure My Cookies Don’t Spread Too Much?
A key part of this recipe is properly chilling the dough. Chilling firms up the butter, helping cookies maintain shape during baking. Here’s how to make sure you ace this step:
- After mixing the dough, wrap it in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- When scooping dough, work quickly to keep it cool. If it gets too warm, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Use parchment paper on your baking sheets, as this helps with even cooking and prevents sticking.
These simple tips will keep your cookies from flattening out too much while baking, resulting in soft, thick treats!
Crumbl Pink Chilled Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Pink Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring
- Sprinkles, assorted (for garnish)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and 10-12 minutes to bake. Don’t forget to chill the dough for at least 1-2 hours (or even overnight), plus an additional 30 minutes in the fridge after frosting for best results. Total time may be about 3 hours, mostly waiting for the dough to chill!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This will help your cookies bake evenly and prevent sticking.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, take your softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream them together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process adds air to the dough, helping the cookies rise beautifully!
3. Add the Egg and Vanilla:
Next, crack in the large egg and pour the vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Beat it all together until everything is well blended. You want a smooth and creamy consistency here!
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until you form a soft cookie dough. Don’t worry if it looks a little crumbly at first; just keep mixing until it all comes together.
5. Chill the Dough:
Now it’s time to wrap your dough! Divide it into two portions, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and let them chill in the refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours (or overnight if you can wait!). This is crucial for keeping the shape of your cookies while they bake.
6. Scoop and Bake:
After the chilling time is up, scoop out cookie dough using a cookie scoop or tablespoon and place them on your lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake your cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Remember, they should be slightly soft in the center!
7. Cool Them Down:
When they’re done, take the cookies out of the oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then carefully move them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting—this is an important step to keep them nice and soft!
8. Make the Pink Frosting:
While your cookies are cooling, let’s whip up that delightful pink frosting! In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream or milk until you have a nice spreadable frosting. Stir in the vanilla extract and add pink food coloring until you achieve your desired shade!
9. Frost the Cookies:
Once your cookies have cooled, spread a generous amount of the pink frosting on each cookie. Get creative and have fun with it!
10. Add Some Fun Sprinkles:
While the frosting is still soft, sprinkle your colorful sprinkles on top. This makes your cookies look festive and inviting!
11. Chill and Serve:
Finally, place the frosted cookies in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill and let the frosting set before you enjoy them. This step helps the frosting firm up a bit and makes them even better to eat!
There you go! Enjoy your soft, chilled pink sugar cookies with creamy frosting and festive sprinkles! They’re perfect for any occasion or just a sweet treat for yourself. Happy baking!
Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?
Yes, you can use margarine instead of butter! Just make sure it’s a full-fat version for the best flavor and texture. Softened margarine will yield similar results, but avoid using low-fat or diet margarine as it may change the cookie consistency.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them fresh longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. Just bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best taste!
Can I Freeze These Cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookies before or after frosting. If freezing before frosting, wait until they are completely cooled, then wrap each cookie tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. For frosted cookies, freeze them individually on a baking sheet, then transfer to a container. They will last up to 3 months in the freezer!
What Should I Do If My Dough Is Too Sticky?
If your dough feels too sticky to handle, you can sprinkle in a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches a more manageable consistency. Just be careful not to add too much flour, as it can make the cookies dry. Chilling the dough also helps with stickiness!
