How to Add Colored Sugar to Sugar Cookies

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Co-authored by Craig Watson

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

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The Cookie Dough

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Decorate Before Baking

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Decorate After Baking

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Sugar cookies were thought to have originated in Pennsylvania, when in the mid 1700s German settlers came to the area. The Nazareth Sugar Cookie was thought to be invented by these settlers, and to this day the recipe has changed little. In 2001, Pennsylvania recognized the sugar cookie as the state's official cookie. Sugar cookies are a very popular cookie, in part because of their versatility. Sugar cookies can be cut into myriad shapes, they can be flavored, and they can be decorated to suit any holiday or occasion. Children love making sugar cookie hands, or smearing the tops with icings in every color of the rainbow. One way to add color to sugar cookies is to add colored sugar. Here's how to add colored sugar to sugar cookies.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

The Cookie Dough

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Follow the directions of your favorite sugar cookie recipe to make sugar cookie dough.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Decorate Before Baking

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1
Make your own colored sugar.
- Making your own colored sugar is possible with just a few ingredients. If you have food color, granulated sugar, and disposable plastic bags, then you can make colored sugar. This is a great activity for kids. Place 1/4 cup (2 oz.) of granulated sugar into a small, zipper top baggie. Add 3 to 4 drops of food color of your choice. Zip the top closed, and shake the bag around to distribute the color. Repeat for as many colors as you want. More drops of food coloring will result in more vibrant colors, fewer drops will appear more pastel.
- After your cookies have been cut and placed on the cookie sheet, sprinkle the sugar over the top of the cookie in any design or pattern you like. Bake the cookies as directed in the recipe.
2
Purchase decorating sugar.
- Decorating sugar comes in all the colors of the rainbow. Many supermarkets sell a variety of basic colors, though for the best selection find a baker's supply shop in your area. Decorating sugar comes in a variety of coarseness. From ultra fine to large crystals, choose the kinds you like best.
- After your cookies have been cut and placed on the cookie sheet, sprinkle the sugar over the top of the cookie in any design or pattern you like. Bake the cookies as directed in the recipe.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Decorate After Baking

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1
Top icing with colored sugar.
- In order to add colored sugar to baked cookies, the sugar needs something to adhere to. Icing is the perfect choice. Bake and cool the cookies as directed by the recipe. Ice the very cool cookies with your favorite icing and top with your choice of colored sugar.

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Question

Can I put the decorating stars and nonpareils on cookie dough before cooking?

Community Answer

It will make a melty mess, and you won't be able to see the design.

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Does the color in the sugar fade with baking?

Amy273

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Usually, yes, this is what happens.

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I would like to monogram sugar cookies iced with royal icing, using sugar crystals for the monograms. How do I make the sugar stick? Will the stencils mess up the icing?

Amy273

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The stencils will disrupt the icing - refrigerate for about half an hour to 45 minutes and then use the stencils.

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Tips

To make home made colored sugars easier to use, pour the sugar onto a piece of aluminum foil and dry in a toaster oven for approx. half a minute. Then return the sugar to the baggie and work with fingers to break up any clumps.

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Sugar cookies with colored sugar can be stored for 3 to 4 days on the counter if they're in an airtight container. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just thaw and enjoy.

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Save homemade colored sugar in airtight containers for 3 months in a dark, cool place.

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