JELLO SUGAR COOKIES

These Jello Sugar Cookies are colorful, soft, and packed with fruity flavor thanks to Jello mixed into both the cookie dough and the frosting. This easy sugar cookie recipe can be made with any flavor of Jello and is perfect for holidays, parties, or any time you want a fun twist on a classic cookie.

We love traditional sugar cookies, but sometimes we want something a little more vibrant and exciting. These Jello cookies add a bright pop of color and flavor, without the need for complicated decorating.

Recipe Highlights

• Fun and flavorful: Jello adds fruity flavors and bold colors to both the cookies and the frosting. You can use any flavor of Jello that you want, and the Jello makes the cookies so bright and delicious.
• Versatile: Make drop cookies or roll the dough for cut-out jello cookies—you decide!
• Simple ingredients: Just a handful of basic pantry staples plus your favorite Jello flavor. If you make drop cookies, there is no need to chill the dough and so the cookies come together quickly. There is so much flavor in the cookies, you can even leave the frosting off if you’d like.

INGREDIENTS IN JELLO SUGAR COOKIES

Butter – For best results, use real butter. Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before adding it to the sugar.

Sugar – You will need a cup of sugar to give the sugar cookies the traditional sweetness and consistency.

Jello – Use a small (3 oz) box of Jello. You can use any flavor you want! If you want to make frosting in the same flavor, reserve 1 tablespoon of the Jello powder before you add it to the cookie dough.

Eggs – Three eggs will help to bind everything together.

Flour – You will need three cups of all-purpose flour to make the sugar cookies.

Baking powder – Baking powder is the leavening agent in the cookies. For best results, make sure that your baking powder isn’t old or expired.

Salt – Just a little bit of salt will help to bring out all of the other flavors in the cookies.

JELLO BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Butter – Again, real butter works best. Soften the butter to room temperature before mixing with the other ingredients.

Sour cream – Just a tablespoon of sour cream or plain yogurt adds a bit of tanginess and creaminess to the frosting.

Powdered sugar – The powdered sugar sweetens up the frosting and provides the perfect consistency for the frosting.

Vanilla – A little bit of vanilla extract adds a little bit of extra flavor.

Milk – You will need 1-2 tablespoons of milk to help thin out the frosting. Add a little more or a little less to get the frosting exactly the way that you want.

Jello powder – You can make regular buttercream frosting if you’d like, but if you want to color and flavor the frosting to match the cookies, add the reserved tablespoon of Jello powder.

Tips and Tricks for Making Jello Cookies

The full instructions for making these cookies can be found on the recipe on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.

• Don’t overbake—jello cookies should look slightly underdone when you pull them from the oven for a soft texture.
• Chill the dough if cutting shapes to make rolling and cutting easier.
• Reserve a tablespoon of Jello powder if you want the frosting to match the cookies.
• Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
• Roll dough evenly about 1/4-inch thick for consistent baking.
• Use a sugared glass to press drop cookies for a beautiful, crackly top.

Storing Jello Sugar Cookies

Store frosted or unfrosted jello cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To freeze, place unfrosted cookies in a single layer in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Frost after thawing for best results.

FAQs

Can I make Jello sugar cookies without frosting?

Absolutely! The jello cookies have plenty of flavor and color from the Jello, so frosting is totally optional.

What Jello flavors work best for Jello cookies?

Any flavor works! Strawberry, raspberry, lemon, lime, and orange are some of our favorites.

How do I prevent sticky dough when rolling out Jello cookies?

Sugar cookie dough is sticky, but once it’s sufficiently chilled, it’s much more workable for making cut-out cookies. Resist the urge to add more flour to the dough before chilling! If you add too much flour, the ratio of wet to dry ingredients is off, and the cookies end up drier and more crumbly. Make sure the dough is well chilled and lightly flour your surface or use parchment paper.

Can I make the dough ahead of time for my jello cookie recipe?

Yes! Dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

HOW DO YOU SOFTEN BUTTER?

I like to soften butter by using the defrost function on my microwave. If you need the full 1/2 cup cube of butter, you can leave it in the paper wrapper, otherwise, place the amount of butter you need in a glass or porcelain bowl. I use the lowest defrost setting on my microwave and just let it run for 20 seconds. Check the butter and see how soft it is by pressing it with a rubber scraper. If it is still not soft to the touch, meaning it doesn’t indent when you press into it, let it warm for another 5-10 seconds. Watch it closely! Butter softens very quickly.

MORE DELICIOUS SUGAR COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY:

• Classic sugar cookies are classic for a reason. These Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies are easily the best sugar cookie recipe I’ve ever tried. They are soft, chewy, and hold their shape when baking.
• If you don’t have time to shape individual cookies, Sugar Cookie Bars are a great option.
• Adding fruit is always a good idea. Fruit Pizza Cookies, Blueberry Sugar Cookies, and Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars all provide fun variations on traditional sugar cookies.

Jello Sugar Cookies are made with Jello in the cookies and the frosting! Soft sugar cookie recipe that can be made with any flavor, and the simple buttercream frosting can be flavored to match.