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Home » Recipes » Cookies

How to Make Homemade Rainbow Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Published: Aug 12, 2023 · Modified: Sep 24, 2023 by Sandrine Pearson · This post may contain affiliate links

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Looking for a colorful and delicious treat that brings joy to any occasion? Look no further! Our easy-to-follow Rainbow Cookies recipe combines the richness of almond paste with colorful layers and sumptuous chocolate coating. With these cookies, your dessert table will be the talk of the town. Keep reading to find out why this recipe is totally worth it!

A square of rainbow cookie on top of a table top.

Rainbow Cookies are a festive treat often associated with celebrations, holidays, and special events. With their bright layers, they are particularly popular during Christmas and Easter. If you're a fan of unique and elegant cookies, you may also want to explore our Chocolate Florentine Cookies. It's another delightful recipe that's perfect for impressing guests at your next gathering.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • 🍴 Equipment
  • Storage
  • Top tip
  • FAQ
  • Related
  • How to Make Homemade Rainbow Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
  • Food safety

Ingredients

  • Sugar
  • Almond paste
  • Butter
  • Eggs (separated)
  • Salt
  • Milk
  • Flour
  • Red and green food coloring
  • Raspberry jam
  • Semi-sweet chocolate

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Three glass mixing bowls are filled with batter and prepared for coloring.

Making The Batter

Combine almond paste, butter, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, and salt to form a homogeneous batter. Divide in three

Spreading colorful batter on baking sheets. On top it's the red batter and on the bottom is the green batter.

Baking

Prepare baking sheets, spread the colored batter, and bake until just set

Layering colored cake with raspberry jam.

Layering

Assemble the cooled layers with raspberry jam in between.

Chilling the assembled layers

Chilling

Refrigerate the assembled layers for at least 4 hours.

Spreading chocolate over layered cake.

Chocolate Coating

Melt chocolate and spread it over the top and bottom parts, refrigerating in between.

Cutting Rainbow Cookies into squares.

Cutting and Enjoying

Trim edges and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Hint: When making Rainbow Cookies, ensure that you don't overbake the layers. Monitor them closely and remove them from the oven when just set to maintain the soft texture and vibrant color. Also, allow enough chilling time for perfect assembly and cutting.

Substitutions

For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free butter and a milk substitute such as almond milk. If raspberry jam isn't your favorite, you can substitute with another berry jam of your choice.

Variations

For a unique twist, try adding a touch of lemon or orange zest to the batter or experimenting with different food coloring for various festive themes.

🍴 Equipment

Making The Batter

  • Knife: To cut almond paste into small pieces.
  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: For mixing butter, sugar, and almond paste.
  • Mixing Bowls: For combining ingredients.
  • Spatula: To fold meringue into batter.

Baking

  • Baking Sheet: To bake each colored layer.
  • Parchment Paper: Easier removal of baked layers.
  • Oven Mitts: To handle hot baking sheets.

Most Useful Equipment: Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer. Many steps need good mixing.

Storage

Store the Rainbow Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Top tip

Ensure that the layers are evenly spread and consistent in thickness for a picture-perfect presentation.

FAQ

Can I freeze Rainbow Cookies?

Yes, they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

What if I don't have almond paste?

You may substitute marzipan, but it may alter the flavor slightly.

Can I use other food coloring?

Absolutely! Customize the colors to suit your theme.

What's the best chocolate for coating?

Semi-sweet chocolate is recommended, but milk or dark chocolate can also be used.

Why are my layers uneven?

Ensure consistent spreading and baking for even layers.

Can I use different jams?

Yes, other berry jams can work well.

How long will these cookies last?

Up to 5 days at room temperature or 2 weeks refrigerated.

Can I make these dairy-free?

Yes, see the substitution section above

Are Rainbow Cookies kid-friendly?

Absolutely! Kids love the colorful layers and sweet taste.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

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    How to Make the Best Coffee Eclair at Home
  • Glazed Honey Crullers on a cooling rack.
    How to Make Crispy and Sweet Glazed Honey Crullers
  • a white plate topped with a slice of cheesecake.
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    How to Make Double Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust
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A square of rainbow cookie on top of a table top.

How to Make Homemade Rainbow Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Make festive and delicious Rainbow Cookies with this easy step-by-step guide. Perfect for holidays and special occasions!

  • Total Time: 7 hours (including chilling)
  • Yield: 60 cookies

Ingredients

Sugar: 200g (1 cup)

Almond paste: 280g (approximately 9.9 oz)

Butter: 350g (1 ½ cups)

Eggs: 5 large, separated

Salt: ¾ tsp

Milk: 75ml (⅓ cup)

Flour: 300g (2 ½ cups)

Red and green food coloring: as needed

Raspberry jam: 250g (approximately ¾ cup)

Semi-sweet chocolate: 450g (2 ½ cups)

Instructions

Making The Batter

  1. Cut the almond paste in small pieces
  2. In a bowl, mix about half the butter and half the sugar with the almond paste
  3. You can do this using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or with a hand mixer and maybe a little help of your bare hands
  4. When the almond paste is all broken down and mixed in the other ingredients, add in the rest of the butter
  5. Separate the eggs
  6. Add the yolk and milk to the mix
  7. Add the flour and salt until homogeneous
  8. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites
  9. When they become foamy and whiter add half of your remaining quantity of sugar
  10. Mix for another minute
  11. Add the remaining of the sugar
  12. When the meringue is firm, add a part of it to the almond mixture
  13. Fold it in
  14. Add the rest and fold in until completely incorporated
  15. Separate the batter into 3 which means divide the total weight of your batter in 3
  16. Add red coloring to one batch, green to another and let the last one untouched

Baking

  1. Butter 3 x  10"x16" baking sheet
  2. Add parchment paper on each
  3. Put each batch on a different baking sheet and spread it out evenly
  4. Bake at 325°F for about 12 minutes
  5. Take out of the oven and let it cool down directly on the counter so it doesn't over bake

Assembly

  1. Place the green layer on a flat surface you can move
  2. Apply evenly half of the jam on this first layer
  3. Put the nature one on top
  4. Add the rest of the jam
  5. Place the red layer on top
  6. Cover with plastic wrap
  7. Place another flat object on top like a baking sheet
  8. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4h
  9. Melt some chocolate
  10. Spread half the chocolate all over the top
  11. Refrigerate 30 minutes
  12. Flip over and spread the rest of the chocolate over the bottom part
  13. Refrigerate 30 minutes
  14. Trim all the edges
  15. Cut into 3,5cm squares
  16. Enjoy!

Equipment

Image of Hand Mixer

Hand Mixer

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Image of Mixing Bowls

Mixing Bowls

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  • Author: Sandrine Pearson
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes per layer
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Food safety

  • Ensure proper storage to maintain freshness.
  • Be mindful of allergens if serving to guests.

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Hi there, I'm Sandrine!

I'm a professionally-trained pastry chef, and here at Whipped, I share unique dessert recipes and baking tips to help you bake with confidence. If you looking for me, I'm always in the kitchen (even in my dreams!)

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