Nothing brightens up a party—or a random Tuesday—like a plate of cheerful rainbow cookie sandwiches. These colorful little treats have been my go-to for birthdays, bake sales, and “just because” moments ever since my niece and I first made them together. (She was four at the time and absolutely lost her mind over the bright colors—the mess was worth it.) After years of baking them, I’ve perfected the balance of soft cookie and creamy frosting that makes them irresistible. The best part? They’re surprisingly simple to whip up—just butter, sugar, and a whole lot of happiness.
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Why You’ll Love These Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
Trust me, these aren’t your average cookies—they’re pure joy in every bite! Here’s why they’ll become your new favorite:
- Those vibrant colors make everyone smile before they even taste them
- Super easy to make—no fancy skills needed
- Perfect for birthday parties or any celebration
- Kids love helping with the coloring part (messy but worth it!)
- You can customize the frosting—try cream cheese or add sprinkles
Rainbow cookie sandwiches turn ordinary days into little celebrations—just wait till you see people’s faces when you bring these out!
Ingredients for Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
Gather these simple ingredients—I promise you probably have most of them in your pantry already! The key here is quality: real butter, fresh eggs, and good vanilla make all the difference. (And yes, I’ve tried shortcuts—they never taste quite right.)
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled, please! Packed flour makes dense cookies.
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened – Not melted! Leave it out for 30 minutes until it gives when pressed.
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar – Regular white sugar works best for that classic cookie texture.
- 1 large egg, room temperature – Cold eggs can make the dough separate—learned that the hard way!
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – The good stuff, not imitation. Your cookies will thank you.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Gel food coloring (red, blue, yellow, green) – Liquid coloring waters down the dough—gel gives those vibrant hues we want!
- 1/2 cup frosting – My go-to is vanilla, but cream cheese frosting makes them extra special.
See? Nothing crazy! Now let’s make some magic happen.
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Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches: 4-Step Magical Treat Recipe
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Yield: 12 cookie sandwiches
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Colorful and fun cookie sandwiches filled with creamy frosting.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Food coloring (red, blue, yellow, green)
- 1/2 cup frosting (vanilla or cream cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix well.
- Gradually add flour and salt, mix until dough forms.
- Divide dough into 4 equal parts and tint each with food coloring.
- Roll each colored dough into small balls and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, then cool completely.
- Spread frosting on one cookie and sandwich with another.
Notes
- Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors.
- Let cookies cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Equipment You’ll Need
You likely have most of these in your kitchen already! Here’s what you’ll want to grab before starting:
- Mixing bowls – One large, one medium
- Electric mixer (or strong arms and a whisk!)
- Baking sheet with parchment paper – No sticking!
- Cooling rack – Essential for those freshly baked cookies
- Toothpicks – For swirling in that gorgeous gel coloring
That’s it—no fancy gadgets needed for these rainbow beauties!
How to Make Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
Okay, let’s get to the fun part—making these colorful delights! I’ve broken it down into simple steps so you can nail these rainbow cookie sandwiches on your first try. Just follow along, and don’t stress—even if the colors get a little messy (they always do at my house!).
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
First, grab that softened butter and sugar—this is where the magic starts! Cream them together with your mixer until they’re light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step gives our rainbow cookie sandwiches that perfect tender texture. Then beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Now, gently mix in the flour and salt—stop mixing as soon as it comes together! Overmixing makes tough cookies, and nobody wants that.
Step 2: Color the Dough
Here’s where things get colorful! Divide your dough into four equal balls—I use a kitchen scale for precision, but eyeballing works too. Now the fun part: use toothpicks to swirl in gel food coloring (a little goes a long way!). Knead gently until the color’s even, but don’t overwork the dough. Pro tip: wear gloves unless you want rainbow hands for days!
Step 3: Bake and Assemble Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
Roll each colored dough into small balls (about 1 tablespoon each) and space them 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes—they’re done when the edges just start to firm up. Let them cool completely (this is crucial!) before sandwiching with frosting. Gently press matching-sized cookies together—too hard and they’ll crack, too light and they’ll fall apart. There you have it—perfect rainbow cookie sandwiches ready to brighten someone’s day!

Tips for Perfect Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
After making hundreds of these colorful treats (and yes, plenty of mistakes along the way!), here are my can’t-miss tips:
- Chill sticky dough for 15 minutes—it makes rolling those rainbow balls so much easier
- Always use parchment paper—no more stuck cookies or pan scrubbing (trust me!)
- Match cookie sizes before sandwiching—pair them up like puzzle pieces as they cool
- Let cookies cool completely—warm cookies turn your frosting into a melty mess
- Press gently when assembling—you want them to stay together without cracking
Follow these simple tricks, and your rainbow cookie sandwiches will turn out bakery-perfect every time!
Looking for another fun and colorful way to start your morning? Try these fluffy Air Fryer Breakfast Sandwiches that are just as quick and satisfying as your rainbow cookie creations.
Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches Variations
One of my favorite things about these cookies is how easily you can change them up! Here are some fun twists I’ve tried over the years:
- Switch up the frosting – Try chocolate, strawberry, or lemon for a flavor surprise
- Add sprinkles – Mix them into the dough or roll the edges for extra sparkle
- Gluten-free option – Swap in a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (works like a charm!)
- Mini versions – Make teaspoon-sized cookies for adorable bite-sized treats
- Holiday colors – Use red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter—the sky’s the limit!
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, have fun making it your own—that’s half the joy of baking!
Storing Your Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
Here’s how to keep your rainbow cookie sandwiches fresh and fabulous! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days. Avoid the fridge (it makes the cookies hard!), and keep them away from direct sunlight so the colors stay vibrant. The frosting stays perfectly stable at room temp—no worries about melting unless your kitchen gets super warm!
Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches Nutrition Info
Just so you know, these nutrition facts are estimates—real talk, I don’t measure every sprinkle! Each cheerful sandwich has about 180 calories, 12g sugar, and 8g fat. Not bad for such a happy treat!
For even more whimsical treats and baking inspiration, explore our Pinterest boards packed with magical dessert ideas and creative recipe twists.
FAQs About Rainbow Cookie Sandwiches
Can I use natural food coloring?
Yes, but expect softer hues! Beet powder (pink), turmeric (yellow), and spirulina (green) work, though they may alter flavor slightly. The colors won’t be as vibrant as with gel food coloring. For more on food coloring, check out Food Network’s guide.
How do I prevent colors from bleeding?
Chill dough balls before baking—cold butter melts slower, keeping colors distinct. Also, avoid overmixing colored doughs (those swirls should stay separate!).
Can I freeze rainbow cookie sandwiches?
Absolutely! Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temp before assembling. Frosting doesn’t freeze well—add it fresh when ready to serve.