Tie Dye Cookie Recipe
Introduction
Tie dye cookies are a fun and colorful twist on classic sugar cookies. With soft, buttery dough mixed with vibrant shades, these cookies are perfect for parties or anytime you want a playful treat. They’re easy to make and delightfully eye-catching.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (clear vanilla recommended)
- 1 (15.5 oz) box white cake mix
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Food coloring (e.g., pink and purple)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350° F (180° C).
- Step 2: In a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the egg whites and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Step 4: Add the white cake mix and all-purpose flour. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Step 5: Divide the dough evenly into three bowls. Leave one plain and add food coloring to the other two to create your desired colors.
- Step 6: To mix in color evenly, you can place each portion temporarily back in the mixer. Once dyed, place the dough portions side by side on a countertop.
- Step 7: Gently press the colored doughs together, then cut the combined dough in half, dividing all colors.
- Step 8: Push the halves back together gently and repeat this cutting and pressing process a few times to create a tie-dye effect, being careful to avoid fully mixing the colors.
- Step 9: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into desired sizes (3 tablespoons for medium-sized cookies works well).
- Step 10: Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten slightly. Arrange the cookies on a parchment- or silicone-lined baking sheet.
- Step 11: Bake at 350° F (180° C) until cookies spread, puff up in the center, and lose their glossy appearance. Small cookies (1½ tbsp dough) take 8–10 minutes; medium cookies (3 tbsp) take 10–12 minutes.
- Step 12: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring.
Tips & Variations
- Use gel food coloring for brighter, more vibrant colors without altering dough consistency.
- Try different color combinations to match holidays or themes.
- If the dough feels too sticky, chill it briefly before scooping.
Storage
Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the oven.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular vanilla instead of clear vanilla?
Yes, you can use regular vanilla extract, but clear vanilla helps keep the dough and cookies bright without adding color.
Can these cookies be made without a stand mixer?
Absolutely. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand with a sturdy spoon, though it may take a bit more effort to cream the butter and sugar smoothly.
Print
Tie Dye Cookie Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 24 medium-sized cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This vibrant Tie Dye Cookie Recipe creates soft, colorful cookies with a playful swirled pattern. Made with a combination of white cake mix and flour, these cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for adding a splash of color to any occasion. The dough is divided and dyed with various food colors, then gently combined to create a tie-dye effect before baking to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 (15.5 oz box) white cake mix
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (clear vanilla recommended)
Additional
- Food coloring (colors of your choice; example: pink and purple)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) to ensure it is ready for baking your cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer or bowl with a hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about 1 minute until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg Whites and Vanilla: Scrape down the bowl, then add the egg whites and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add in the white cake mix and all-purpose flour. Mix until the dough comes together into a soft consistency.
- Divide and Color Dough: Separate the dough evenly into three bowls. Leave one portion plain (white), and dye the other two portions with your chosen food colorings, such as pink and purple.
- Dye the Dough Further: Place each colored dough portion back into the mixer and mix briefly to evenly distribute the colors within each portion.
- Create Tie Dye Effect: Place all three colored dough portions side by side on your counter. Gently press them together, then break the combined dough in half, cutting through all colors. Push the halves back together gently and repeat this process a few times, being careful not to over-mix so the vibrant tie-dye effect is maintained.
- Portion the Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough into desired sizes. For medium-sized cookies, use about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie.
- Shape Cookies: Roll each portion into a ball and flatten slightly before placing on prepared cookie sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) until the cookies spread, puff up in the center, and the tops lose their glossy appearance. Bake times vary with size: small cookies (1 1/2 tbsp dough) bake for approximately 8-10 minutes, medium cookies (3 tbsp dough) bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them.
- Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months for longer storage.
Notes
- Use clear vanilla extract to avoid coloring the dough unintentionally.
- For best tie-dye effect, do not over-mix the colored dough portions when combining.
- You can customize the colors to match any theme or celebration.
- Chilling the dough is not necessary but can help manage sticky dough if needed.
- If you want softer cookies, bake closer to the lower end of the time range.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: tie dye cookies, colorful cookies, cake mix cookies, easy cookie recipe, fun cookies for kids

