Easy Jello Cookies

These easy Jello cookies are a fun and colorful treat perfect for baking with kids. They start with a simple sugar cookie mix and are colored with jello, a fun twist on a traditional sugar cookie.

The Easiest Jello Sugar Cookies

Rainbows just have a way of making everything better, don’t they? The bright colors never fail to put a smile on my face. These rainbow cookies are a breeze to whip up with just five ingredients needed, including that trusty sugar cookie mix and some Jello mix. 

I love how each cookie takes on the flavor of Jello, giving everyone the chance to pick their favorite. And the best part? You can make as few or as many colors as your heart desires! They are an easy way to add a splash of fun to any occasion.

If you love sugar cookie hacks, check out my Easy Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies.

Simple Ingredients

• Bag of sugar cookie mix (plus ingredients listed on the package) – The sugar cookie mix forms the base of these cookies, providing a soft and chewy texture.
• Jello powder – The Jello adds vibrant colors and fruity flavor to the cookies. I used six different flavors to represent a rainbow of colors, but you can use as many or as few as you like. Choose your favorite Jello flavors, as the cookies will adopt their flavor.
• Granulated sugar – This additional sugar creates a nice crunchy texture on the outside of the cookie. Feel free to skip this if you like.

Making the Jello Cookie Recipe

1. Prepare – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper and set them aside for later.

2. Mix the dough – Prepare the sugar cookie dough according to the package directions.

3. Color the dough – Once the dough is ready, divide it into six even portions. Add the red Jello to one portion of the dough and mix until the color is thoroughly incorporated and the dough is evenly dyed. Repeat this process with the remaining dough and Jello colors.

4. Shape and coat – Separate each colored dough into four even portions and roll them into balls. Roll the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar until well coated.

5. Bake to perfection – Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, ensuring at least 2 inches of space between each cookie to allow for spreading during baking. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 11-13 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.

6. Cool and enjoy – Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling completely before serving. Enjoy these colorful and delicious treats!

Variations and substitutions

Homemade sugar cookie dough – Instead of using a sugar cookie mix, you can make your sugar cookie dough from scratch using your favorite recipe. Simply substitute the homemade dough for the mix and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Adjusting jello amounts – If you want to use around 12 tablespoons of Jello per bag of sugar cookie mix, you can adjust the amount of Jello based on the number of colors you want to use:

• For 2 colors: Add 6 tablespoons of Jello per portion of dough.
• For 3 colors: Add 4 tablespoons of Jello per portion of dough.
• For 4 colors: Add 3 tablespoons of Jello per portion of dough.
• For 5 colors: Add 2 1/2 tablespoons of Jello per portion of dough.

Sugar-free Jello – If you prefer sugar-free Jello, you can easily substitute it for regular Jello in this recipe. Just follow the same instructions for mixing and incorporating the Jello into the dough.

Gluten-free option – For a gluten-free version of these cookies, use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix or homemade gluten-free sugar cookie dough. The Jell-o brand is gluten-free; however, if you are using a different brand, you will want to confirm that it is also gluten-free. 

Tips for success

• Use a scale for consistency – Using a kitchen scale to separate the dough into equal portions ensures that your cookies are all the same size, resulting in even baking and a uniform appearance.
• Persistence with mixing – Incorporating the Jello into the dough may take some persistence. At first, it might not seem like the Jello is mixing evenly, but keep mixing and kneading the dough, and it will eventually come together. Using your hands to knead the Jello into the dough can help ensure thorough mixing.
• Be aware of color variations – Keep in mind that different flavors of Jello may result in slightly different color intensities. For example, orange and lime Jello may appear more muted compared to other colors. Adjust your expectations accordingly when mixing and baking the cookies.
• Enhance the color – If you prefer a more intense burst of color, you can add a drop or two of gel food coloring to the dough along with the Jello. This will help intensify the color of the cookies, especially if you’re aiming for particularly vibrant hues. I did not use any additional coloring for the cookies in these photos.

How to store the Colorful Jello Cookies

Store leftovers in an airtight container or cookie jar at room temperature for up to five days.

Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing. I recommend using a parchment or wax paper sheet between layers so the cookies do not stick to each other.

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Looking for more easy cookie recipes?

Check out these recipes the whole family will love!

• Grasshopper Chocolate Mint Cookies
• Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
• Chocolate Cool Whip Crinkle Cookies

Did you love this fun recipe for colorful cookies? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Easy Jello Cookies

Author: Mandy

Transform ordinary sugar cookies into vibrant, fruity treats with this easy Jello cookie recipe. With just a few ingredients and simple steps, these colorful cookies are sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 24 Cookies

Calories 139 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 (17.5 ounce) bag of sugar cookie mix
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperture
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons cherry or strawberry jello
• 2 tablespoons orange jello
• 2 tablespoons lemon jello
• 2 tablespoons lime jello
• 2 tablespoons berry blue jello
• 2 tablespoons grape jello
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line to large cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
• Prepare the sugar cookie dough according to the package directions.
• Separate the dough into six even portions. Add the red jello to one portion of the dough and mix until thoroughly combined and the dough is dyed with the jello. Repeat with the remaining dough and jello colors.
• Separate each colored dough into four even portions and roll them into balls. Roll each cookie dough ball in granulated sugar and place it on the prepared cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each cookie.
• Bake for 11-13 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Notes

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days.
• Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to three months. Allow the cookies to cool completely before freezing.

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 4mgSugar: 15gVitamin A: 129IUCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.1mg

Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.

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