These 3D flower cookies are such an easy and cute project to make for a little pop of sunshine. The cookie dough bakes up super tender and absolutely melts in you mouth - and there's nothing quite as fun as picking the petals off these flowers!
I can buy myself flowers - but why do that when I can bake my own flower cookies amiright?? Well I did also buy myself a bouquet of flowers to decorate, but I'd still take the cookies.
These little cuties were inspired by my 3D pumpkin cookies and Half Baked Harvest's Holly Jolly Santa Cookies. A fall and a Christmas recipe coming together to make a summer cookie. Teamwork makes the dream work.
These cookies use an eggless cookie dough as the base for the flowers, with the "petals" colored with your choice of food coloring for a pretty pop of brightness! They're perfect for spring, summer, mother's/father's day, Easter, or literally any time in the year you want a little bit of summer vibes.
what makes these flower cookies so good?
First off, the shape! 3D cookies are one of my favorite things in the world. They're cute, bubbly, and a lot of fun to make!
The cookie dough is super easy to make and only needs 10 minutes in the freezer to keep that flower shape (which is a 1 to 2 hour less chill time than a cookie dough like this usually needs!) Annnnd these cookies are perfectly crisp and absolutely melt in your mouth!
how to make 3D flower cookies
1. Mix together butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla until well combined.
2. Add flour, and mix to combine.
3. Set aside slightly less than ¼ of the cookie dough for the flower centers and color the rest. You can choose any color you'd like for the petals!
4. Portion and shape! Take out 1 teaspoon sized portions of the dough and roll into balls. Arrange portions on a baking sheet with the uncolored dough in the center surrounded by 5 colored dough balls. Give it a gentle smoosh together so the portions are all pressed against each other.
5. Freeze and bake. Freeze the cookies for 10 minutes to help keep their shape, and then bake until golden brown along the edges. Cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet to allow the cookies to set enough to move, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling to room temperature.
FAQs
What food coloring is best for these cookies?
Liquid-gel food coloring is my go to, but paste gel would also work fine! Avoid using pure liquid food coloring because it can throw off the dough's consistency.
Can I skip the food coloring?
Yes, but the petals will not have as dramatic of a distinction from the centers. You could also add some cocoa powder to the section of dough you plan on using for the centers to make cookies that look like sunflowers!
Can I skip freezing the dough?
Noooo. Compared to similar style cookie doughs, the chill time for this recipe is NOTHING. This dough needs 10 minutes in the freezer, otherwise the flowers won't hold their shape.
Check out these other recipes!
• Pistachio Snowball Cookies
• Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
• Lemon Tahini Cookie Bars
• Spring Lemon Bundt Cake
Lastly, if you made this or any of my recipes, be sure to leave a comment and review below! I love hearing your thoughts! Also tag me on Instagram @eatsdelightfulblog so I can see what you're making.
Print
3D Flower Shaped Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 cookies (approx.)
Description
These 3D flower cookies are such an easy and cute project to make for a little pop of sunshine. The cookie dough bakes up super tender and absolutely melts in you mouth - and there's nothing quite as fun as picking the petals off these flowers!
Ingredients
- ½ cup (1 stick / 115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup (35g) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour, spoon and leveled
- your choice of gel or liquid-gel food coloring (optional) *see notes
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar, salt, and vanilla to combine.
- Add flour, and mix together until you no longer see any dry streaks of flour.
- If you want to color the "flower" petals, set aside a little less than ¼ of the cookie dough for the centers, then mix a few drops of your choice of food coloring into the remaining larger portion of dough.
- Pinch off 1 teaspoon sized portions of the doughs and roll into smooth balls. If you find the dough is too sticky, pop it into the fridge for 30 to 60 minutes to firm up enough to shape.
- Arrange the cookie dough portions on your parchment lined baking sheet in the shape of flowers (pictured above). Lay one ball of uncolored dough and surround it with 5 colored dough balls for the flower petals. Gently squish them together so they're all touching. Leave about 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for air to circulate evenly as they bake.
- Chill the shaped flower cookies in the freezer for 10 minutes to help keep their shape. While they chill, preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Bake the cookies in the center of your preheated 350°F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until no longer shiny on top and lightly golden brown along the edges.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
Enjoy!
Genny says
How do you storage the cookies? I would like to make them a day before of a fiends party , thank you 🙂
Lynn says
About how many cookies does this recipe make?
Mimi says
About 10 🙂