Play dough cookies are a fun activity that you can eat. While I know the word "playdoh" often associated with the taste of salt, I assure you these colored shortbread cookies are far from that colored dough you buy in yellow containers.
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Play-Doh sugar cookies put a playful spin on classic sugar cookies, turning baking into a colorful, creative experience for all ages.
I remember making Play-Doh cookies at a middle school party, and it's a memory that stuck with me. Now I get to make them with my own kids, who love shaping the brightly colored dough into all kinds of fun designs.
Even when the colors swirl together into unexpected shades, the cookies still taste great. They're soft, buttery, and sweet, making them just as enjoyable to eat as they are to make.
These cookies are perfect for baking with kids, themed parties, or anytime you want a dessert that's both fun and delicious. If your kids enjoy Play-Doh style activities, be sure to check out Banana Playdough, Coffee Playdough Recipe, and No Cook Pumpkin Playdough.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- More fun than Play-Doh. Instead of shaping and putting it away, you get to shape, bake, and eat. It's a hands on activity and a snack all in one.
- Customizable. Use any colors you like and create your own designs before baking.
- Unique and playful. Not many recipes encourage playing with your food, but this one does, making it perfect for curious kids and creative bakers.
🛒 Ingredients
Baking powder. Helps the cookies puff slightly as they bake.
Butter. Adds moisture and richness. Salted or unsalted both work.
Egg. Helps the cookies hold together and adds richness.
Food coloring. Use your desired colors. Gel food coloring works best for vibrant results.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Choose store-brand food coloring. Generic or gel food coloring works well and is usually inexpensive.
Make it an activity and dessert in one. These cookies double as a hands-on activity, reducing the need for extra entertainment costs.
Freeze extra dough. Colored dough can be frozen and baked later, preventing waste.
🥄 Instructions for Play Dough Cookies
Step 1: Cream your butter and sugars in a bowl until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add in the egg, milk, and vanilla. Mix again.
Step 3: Add in the flour and baking powder, mixing slowly until combined.
Step 4: Divide the dough and color it.
Step 5: Hand it over to kids with clean hands and let them go to town with making fun shapes.
Step 6: Place them on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 8-12 minutes depending on their thickness.
Step 7: Let cool on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Serve and enjoy.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Adjust the dough. Dough texture can vary based on temperature and butter softness. If it's too sticky to shape, chill it briefly or add flour a little at a time until workable.
- Bake before eating. This playdough style cookie dough contains raw egg and flour and should be baked before eating.
- Looking for edible playdough. If you want a no bake option, try coffee playdough or ripe banana playdough instead.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store baked Play Dough Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days.
Reheating: Reheating is not necessary, but cookies can be warmed briefly in the microwave if desired.
Make Ahead: Dough can be prepared, colored, wrapped tightly, and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
These play dough cookies pair well with fruit slices, yogurt, snack plates, or as part of a kid-friendly dessert table or activity day.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Believe it or not, you can't build too crazy of a shape, but round balls or something a little more flat will work fine. Baking time will vary. But, these cookies don't puff up while baking and do hold their shape very well.
I've done this recipe using both and have to say that gel wins hands down. It gives a much more vibrant color without making the dough any wetter.
Absolutely. Just go ahead and make it. Divide the dough into balls and color each one. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
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🐝 If you tried these Play Dough Cookies, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Play Dough Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened - ($1.98)
- 1 cup granulated sugar - ($0.36)
- 1 large egg - ($0.30)
- 2 tablespoons milk - ($0.01)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
- 4 cup all-purpose flour - ($0.52)
- ½ tablespoon baking powder - ($0.10)
- Food coloring, as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper if desired.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and baking powder and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Color the Dough: Divide the dough into separate bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix until evenly colored.
- Shape Cookies: Shape the dough into fun designs and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a few inches of space between cookies.
- Bake: Bake for 8 to 12 minutes depending on cookie thickness. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- Dough Texture: Dough consistency may vary based on temperature, humidity, and butter softness. If the dough feels too soft, chill briefly or add a small amount of flour.
- Food Safety: This dough contains raw egg and should not be eaten before baking.
- Coloring Tip: Gel food coloring works best for vibrant colors without adding excess moisture.
- Make Ahead: Dough can be colored, wrapped tightly, and refrigerated in advance until ready to shape and bake.
- Shaping Ideas: Simple shapes like balls or flattened designs bake most evenly. Baking time will vary by thickness.
Nutritional Information
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KJ says
I loved the idea of making some colourful cookies with the kids where they could make whatever they wanted. Unfortunately our dough ended up too crumbly (though it looked good right out of the mixer) so it was kind of frustrating for them. Next time I'll be sure to start with a bit less flour. I've never been a huge fan of shortbread cookies or sugar cookies, so maybe my expectations were off, but they ended up quite bland. I also couldn't tell when they were done, but that's my own inexperience problem.
Nicole Durham says
I love that you made these with your kids, such a fun idea 😊
If the dough was crumbly, it was likely a little too much flour. Next time try starting with slightly less, around 3¾ cups, or add a teaspoon or two of milk if it feels dry.
For flavor, this is a mild dough meant for shaping, but you can boost it with a little extra vanilla or a pinch of salt. Even a dash of almond extract can help.
For doneness, look for set centers and lightly firm edges. The bottoms should be just barely golden and they will firm up more as they cool.
I think a small tweak will make a big difference next time!