Bright, Chewy, and Full of Flavor
Easter Day Jello Cookies are a must-have in our house, especially for my little girl. She absolutely loves these bright, fruity cookies, and no holiday or birthday celebration feels complete without them. There’s something magical about the soft, chewy texture and the way the vibrant colors pop on the plate. Every time we bake a batch, she carefully picks out her favorite colors, sneaks a few warm cookies fresh from the oven, and then excitedly packs extras to share with her best friend.
These cookies are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a fun, nostalgic baking tradition that brings everyone together. Whether you’re making them for Easter, a birthday, or just because, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles. So grab your ingredients, pick your favorite Jello flavors, and let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Easter Day Jello Cookies
Bright, Colorful, and Fun: These cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re a feast for the eyes. The vibrant colors make them perfect for Easter, birthdays, or anytime you want a treat that stands out.
Soft, Chewy Texture: Thanks to the snickerdoodle cookie mix base, these cookies have the perfect balance of crisp edges and a soft, chewy center. They stay tender for days, making them ideal for baking ahead.
A Burst of Fruity Flavor: The Jello powder infuses each cookie with a subtle, sweet fruitiness, adding an unexpected twist to a classic sugar cookie. Each bite is slightly tangy, slightly sweet, and totally addictive.
Easy to Make: No complicated steps, no chilling time—just mix, roll, and bake. This is a beginner-friendly recipe that’s great for baking with kids.
Perfect for Sharing: Whether you’re filling Easter baskets, bringing treats to a party, or just baking for fun, these cookies are made to be shared. My daughter loves wrapping them up for her best friend, and they always bring smiles.
Once you try them, you’ll see why they’re a family favorite!
How to make these Easter Day Jello Cookies
Ingredients
Exact ingredient measurements are listed below in the recipe card!
Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix: This ready-made mix gives the cookies a perfect balance of chewiness and structure. You won’t need the cinnamon-sugar packet that comes with it—just the mix itself.
Butter: Melted salted butter adds richness and helps create that soft, slightly crisp texture. If using unsalted butter, just add a pinch of salt to the dough.
Egg: A single large egg binds everything together, ensuring the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Jello Powder: This is where the fun begins. Red, blue, green, and yellow Jello powders give the cookies their bright, playful colors and a fruity kick. Choose your favorite flavors, or mix and match for a rainbow effect.
Granulated Sugar: Rolling the dough balls in white sugar before baking gives the cookies a slightly crisp, sweet coating that enhances their color.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. No parchment? A lightly greased sheet works just fine.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the snickerdoodle cookie mix, melted butter, and egg. Stir until the dough is soft and fully blended. It might feel a little sticky at first—that’s exactly what you want.
Step 3: Divide and Color
Now comes the fun part. Divide the dough into four equal portions and place each in a separate bowl. Sprinkle red, blue, green, and yellow Jello powder into each bowl, one color per section. Using a spoon (or your hands), mix until each portion is evenly colored. The dough will take on a bright, vibrant hue and start to smell fruity.
Step 4: Shape and Roll
Scoop out 1-inch portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls. For extra color and a slight crunch, roll each ball in granulated sugar before placing them on the baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart—they’ll spread slightly as they bake.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for slightly firm edges while the centers remain soft. They might seem underdone at first, but don’t worry—they’ll continue to set as they cool.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. The cooling time helps them firm up while keeping their soft, chewy texture. Once cooled, serve them as-is or package them up for a festive Easter treat.
That’s it—colorful, fruity, chewy cookies in no time. Now, grab one before they disappear!
Easter Day Jello Cookies recipe Tips
Mix the Jello Powder Thoroughly
Once you add the Jello powder to the dough, mix until the color is fully blended. Any streaks mean uneven flavor and color, and you want each cookie to be perfectly vibrant.
Roll in Sugar for Extra Texture
Before baking, roll each dough ball in granulated sugar. This step adds a light crunch to the outside while keeping the centers soft and chewy. It also enhances the color, making each cookie even more eye-catching.
Don’t Overbake
These cookies might look slightly underdone when they come out of the oven, but they’ll continue to firm up as they cool. Overbaking will take away that soft, chewy texture, so stick to the 8-10 minute baking time.
Chill the Dough If It’s Too Sticky
If your dough feels too soft to handle, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes before rolling. This helps prevent sticking and makes shaping the cookies much easier.
Experiment with Colors and Flavors
Try mixing two dough colors together for a marbled effect or using different Jello flavors for a fun variety. Strawberry and lemon? A perfect spring combination. Lime and blue raspberry? A kid’s dream come true.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have colorful, fruity, and perfectly chewy cookies every time!
Perfect Pairings & When to Serve these Easter Day Jello Cookies
Best Ways to Enjoy These Cookies
These colorful, fruity cookies are perfect on their own, but they also pair well with a few simple treats. Try serving them with:
- A glass of cold milk – Classic, simple, and the perfect way to balance the sweetness.
- Vanilla ice cream – Sandwich two cookies around a scoop for a fun, easy ice cream sandwich.
- Hot tea or coffee – The subtle fruitiness of the cookies pairs surprisingly well with a warm cup of tea or a lightly sweetened latte.
- Whipped cream or yogurt dip – A light, creamy dip makes these cookies feel extra special for a party or brunch.
The Best Time to Serve Them
These cookies are festive, fun, and made for celebrating. Here’s when they’re a perfect fit:
- Easter brunch or dessert table – The bright colors make them a standout addition.
- Spring and summer parties – They’re light, fruity, and perfect for warm-weather gatherings.
- Birthday parties – Kids love the bold colors and chewy texture, and you can customize the flavors to match any theme.
- Holiday cookie platters – Swap in red and green Jello flavors for a Jello Christmas cookie version that’s just as fun and festive.
No matter the occasion, these cookies bring a pop of color and a burst of fruity flavor to any table!
Recommended Easter Desserts to Try
Looking for more fun and festive treats to complete your Easter celebration? Try these delicious recipes:
- Easter Dirt Cake Casserole – A rich, creamy dessert layered with crushed cookies and pudding, decorated with colorful Easter toppings.
- Pink Easter Jell-O Pie – A light and fruity no-bake pie made with Jell-O for a perfect pastel-colored treat.
- Easter Chocolate Lasagna – A decadent layered dessert with chocolate pudding, cream cheese, and crushed cookies.
- Surprise Inside Mini Easter Bundt Cakes – Adorable mini cakes with a hidden candy surprise inside, perfect for Easter celebrations.
Try them all and make this Easter extra sweet!
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
Mixing Bowls – You’ll need at least four bowls to divide and color the dough. A sturdy set of mixing bowls makes it easy to blend the Jello powder into the dough without making a mess.
Baking Sheets – A good-quality, non-stick baking sheet ensures even baking and prevents the cookies from sticking. For the best results, line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to make cleanup a breeze.
With just these two essential tools, you’re ready to bake up a batch of colorful, chewy Jello cookies!
Frequently Asked Questions about Easter Day Jello Cookies
Can I use different Jello flavors?
Absolutely! You can mix and match your favorite flavors to create a unique combination. Strawberry, lemon, lime, and blue raspberry are great choices for Easter, but you can experiment with any Jello flavors you like.
Can I use sugar-free Jello?
Yes, but the colors and flavors may not be as vibrant as with regular Jello. If you’re looking for bold colors, stick with the standard Jello mix.
How do I store these cookies?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, they freeze well—just layer them with parchment paper in a freezer-safe container.
Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before rolling and baking.
How do I make the colors more vibrant?
For extra bold colors, roll the dough balls in additional Jello powder before rolling them in sugar. This enhances both the flavor and the appearance.
Can I make these with cake mix instead of cookie mix?
Yes! If you want a softer, fluffier cookie, swap the snickerdoodle cookie mix for a vanilla or white cake mix. The texture will be slightly different but just as delicious.
These fun, fruity jello cookies are as easy to customize as they are to bake!
Print
Easter Day Jello Cookies
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Easter Day Jello Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with fruity flavors. Made with snickerdoodle cookie mix and Jello powder, they bring vibrant color and a sweet, slightly tangy taste to your dessert table. These cookies are perfect for Easter, spring gatherings, birthdays, and holidays. With just a few ingredients and no chilling required, they come together quickly, making them an easy, fun recipe to bake with kids.
Ingredients
1 (17.5-ounce) bag of snickerdoodle cookie mix** (cinnamon-sugar packet not needed)
½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted**
1 large egg**
3 tablespoons red Jello powder** (about half of a 3-ounce package)
3 tablespoons blue Jello powder** (about half of a 3-ounce package)
3 tablespoons green Jello powder** (about half of a 3-ounce package)
3 tablespoons yellow Jello powder** (about half of a 3-ounce package)
1 cup granulated sugar** (for rolling)
Instructions
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. In a large mixing bowl, combine the snickerdoodle cookie mix, melted butter, and egg, stirring until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough evenly into four bowls. Add red, blue, green, and yellow Jello powder to each portion, mixing well until the colors are fully incorporated.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then coat each one in granulated sugar for a lightly crisp exterior. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. The cookies may look slightly underbaked, but they will continue to firm up as they cool.
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they’re ready to enjoy or package up for a festive treat!
Notes
- For extra color and flavor, roll the dough balls in additional Jello powder before rolling in sugar.
- Do not overbake—the cookies should look slightly underdone when you remove them. They will firm up as they cool.
- If the dough is too sticky, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before rolling.
- Customize the flavors by mixing different Jello powders or swirling two colors together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1cookie
- Calories: 130kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Easter Day Jello Cookies, jello cookies recipe, colorful cookies, vintage Jell-O cookies recipes, jello cookies using cake mix, cookies and cream Jello, Jello Christmas cookies
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