This delightful Pink Sugar Cookies recipe comes together in about 30 minutes and is the ultimate kid-friendly treat that your family will absolutely adore! With just a few key ingredients and minimal cleanup, you won’t have to spend all afternoon baking. Feel free to get creative and switch up the flavorings or toppings to suit your taste, or use it as an excuse to clean out the pantry! You know how kids can be, right? They suddenly want cookies, and you need to deliver ASAP!
Ingredient Breakdown
All-Purpose Flour
You’ll need 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour for this recipe. It’s the backbone of your cookies, giving them that wonderful texture we all love. I like using unbleached flour as it tends to have a more natural flavor, but bleached will work just fine too! If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, go for a 1:1 baking blend instead.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder
Next up are 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder. Both of these quirky little ingredients help your cookies rise and achieve that perfect, fluffy consistency. Honestly, without them, you’d have cookie pancakes, definitely not what we’re aiming for! You can omit the baking powder if you only have soda, but your cookies might not be as tender.
Unsalted Butter
For richness and flavor, 1 cup of softened unsalted butter is your best bet! Butter is going to give you the best flavor, it’s creamy, it’s dreamy, and it melts in your mouth. I prefer unsalted butter here so I can control the salt levels myself. No one wants salty cookies, am I right? If you’re dairy-free or vegan, feel free to substitute coconut oil or a vegan butter alternative.
White Sugar
You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of white sugar. This helps to sweeten your cookies beautifully and gives them that lovely, chewy texture. If you’d like to reduce sugar, you can go half-and-half with brown sugar, but remember, it will alter the flavor slightly!
Egg
One large egg adds moisture and binds all the ingredients together. You can even replace it with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) if you’re looking for a vegan option. Just let it sit for a few minutes to gel!
Vanilla & Almond Extracts
A teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract will elevate your cookies to bakery-like status. These flavors complement each other perfectly, making every bite a real pleasure. If you’re not a fan of almond, just double the vanilla instead!
Salt
Don’t forget 1/4 teaspoon salt! It enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors. I add a couple pinches to everything, really no regrets!
Pink Food Coloring
Now, here’s where the fun comes in, a few drops of pink food coloring make your cookies truly pop! You can adjust the amount based on how vibrant you want them. And remember, you can always ditch the coloring if you’re going for a more understated look.
Sprinkles (Optional)
Finally, some sprinkles are optional but highly recommended unless you’re looking to deck them out for a special occasion! Who can resist a little sparkle, right?
How to Make Pink Sugar Cookies
Let’s get to the good stuff, here’s how to whip up these fabulous Pink Sugar Cookies!
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) (Ensure this step is done first; otherwise, you might be waiting forever while your cookies are ready to go in!).
In a small bowl, stir together 2 3/4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. This step ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly mixed and prepped for the party. Set this aside for now.
In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups white sugar until smooth, this should take about 2-3 minutes! You want it to be light in color and fluffy. Then, beat in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, and a few drops of pink food coloring until everything is fully incorporated.
Gradually blend in your dry ingredients from the small bowl. Scrape the sides of the bowl, ensuring you mix well, but if the dough feels too soft, pop it into the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilled dough is key for shaping!
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place them on ungreased cookie sheets. Gently flatten each ball slightly, just enough for them to spread a bit while baking. If you’re feeling festive, sprinkle some extra sprinkles on top!
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in your preheated oven, or until they’re golden on the edges. Your kitchen will be filled with the most amazing aroma! Cool on wire racks for a bit, if you can resist the temptation to dig in right away.
Why I Love This Recipe
These Pink Sugar Cookies are my go-to recipe for when I need something quick but still want to impress! They’re like a warm hug and a sweet little bite of nostalgia rolled into one. Plus, the best part is that you can easily switch up the flavorings depending on what you have on hand, maybe some lemon zest, or a splash of coconut extract! No matter how you customize them, they’re delicious every single time.
If you loved making these, be sure to check out my Strawberry Kiss Cookies, my Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, or my Marbled Spumoni Cookies!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
These cookies are straightforward, taking just about 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights or unexpected cravings. Hurray for easy desserts that don’t compromise flavor!
Comfort Food
There’s something about a homemade cookie that’s just so comforting. The smell when they’re baking? It’s like being wrapped in a cozy blanket. These cookies are loaded with sweetness and nostalgia, making them a true comfort food in my book.
Customizable
One of the best parts of this recipe is its versatility! You can swap out the extracts, adjust the coloring, or add all sorts of mix-ins, think chocolate chips or nuts. Use whatever you have, and make it your own!
Perfect for Kids
If you have little ones running around, they’ll love helping to make these cookies! From measuring to rolling, they can dive into the process, making it a fun family activity.
Great for Celebrations
These cookies are not just delicious they’re also adorable, making them perfect for birthday parties, holidays, or just a pick-me-up on a Wednesday. They’ll be the stars of any dessert table!
Serving Suggestions and Storage
How to Serve This Pink Sugar Cookie
These cookies are delightful as standalone treats! But if you want to kick things up a notch, consider pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a charming ice cream sandwich. Drizzle a little melted chocolate over them or even serve them with a cup of warm milk. YUM!
Storage Tips
Once cooled, you can store these in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for about 1 week, if they last that long!
Reheating Instructions
If you want to enjoy that fresh-baked warmth again, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Don’t overdo it, or they’ll become chewy!
Freezer Friendly
You can also freeze these beauties! Just make sure they’re properly sealed in an airtight container or freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature.
Now, that’s a sweet deal, isn’t it? Follow us on Pinterest for daily baking inspiration that brings warmth to your table!
Conclusion
So there you have it! These Pink Sugar Cookies are an absolute must-try for any occasion. They’re simple, versatile, and most importantly delicious, making them perfect for busy families wanting a little treat. Trust me, once you make them, they’ll be on repeat in your household!
Let me know how they turn out for you! Happy baking!
Pink Sugar Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and white sugar until smooth.
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and pink food coloring until fully incorporated.
- Gradually blend in the dry ingredients and mix well. If the dough is too soft, chill for 30 minutes.
- Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
- Gently flatten each ball slightly and sprinkle optional sprinkles on top.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden on the edges. Cool on wire racks.