I bake these Unicorn Cookies when I want something magical—a soft, thick sugar cookie dough swirled in bright unicorn colors and bursting with rainbow sprinkles. Every bite feels like a playful burst of joy.

Why I’ll Love This Recipe

I love how easy they are—I just mix my standard sugar cookie dough, dye it pink, blue, and purple, and swirl it into a beautiful tie-dye effect.
These come out thick and soft, not flat, and perfect for parties or as a whimsical treat.
They’re fully customizable—I can change the colors or add even more sprinkles for sparkle and texture.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

I use these ingredients:
unsalted butter at room temperature
granulated sugar
eggs, at room temperature
pure vanilla extract
all-purpose flour
baking soda
cream of tartar
salt
rainbow sprinkles
gel food coloring (pink, royal blue, violet)

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350 °F and line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.
I cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in the eggs and vanilla.
I whisk the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt separately, then gradually beat that into the wet mix until the dough forms. I stir in the sprinkles.
I divide the dough into four equal parts. I leave one uncolored and tint the other three with the gel colors.
I combine all four colored doughs into a large bowl and gently swirl them together—just enough to blend without muddying the tie-dye effect.
I scoop dough into balls using a medium or large cookie scoop, roll each in granulated sugar (or more sprinkles), and place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
I bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly set but still soft. I let them sit on the sheet for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Servings and timing

Prep time: about 20 minutes
Bake time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: around 32 minutes
Yield: Makes 18–20 cookies

Variations

I switch things up by:

Substituting the colors to match themes—pastels, holiday shades, or team colors.
Swirling in white chocolate chips along with the sprinkles for extra texture.
Adding frosting on top—rainbow buttercream or vanilla glaze that matches the colors.

Storage/reheating

I store the baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week—or freeze them for up to 2 months.
For advance prep, I scoop and refrigerate (or freeze) the dough, thaw, then bake fresh for that rainbow magic.

FAQs

What if the colors blend too much?

I gently swirl the dough—if I overmix, the vibrant tie-dye fades. Light, careful strokes do the trick.

Can I skip cream of tartar?

Yes—I substitute with lemon juice or vinegar (double the amount) for the same softness and slight tang.

Why wear gloves when coloring?

Gel colors are potent and stain-prone—gloves keep your hands clean while handling vibrant dough.

How do I keep the cookies thick?

To avoid too much spreading, I refrigerate the dough balls for 30 minutes before baking—plus I watch timing closely.

Conclusion

These Unicorn Cookies bring playful color and festive flair to the kitchen—and they’re simply joyful to make. With colorful swirls, joyful sprinkles, and pillowy softness, they’re a fun favorite with everyone. Let me know if you’d like help customizing colors, sprinkles, or frosting—I’d love to help you sprinkle even more magic into this recipe!