Effortless Purple Galaxy Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Treats for Every Occasion

Turn plain sugar cookie dough into show-off Galaxy Cookies. You'll play with white, black, and purple layers rolled up for a wild space swirl once you slice. They're not just pretty—vanilla and almond make them extra tasty. Sprinkles go both inside and on top for a star-studded effect. Even though they look fancy, they're simple—just a couple more steps than regular cookies. Great for science fairs, space lovers, or just to mix up dessert.
A woman in a kitchen smiling.
By Chloe Chloe
Updated on Sat, 17 May 2025 21:55:33 GMT
A stack of purple cookies with bright glaze on a plate. Pin it
A stack of purple cookies with bright glaze on a plate. | cookitdelish.com

Take ordinary sugar cookies into a whole new galaxy with these awesome geode-inspired treats. Every slice shows off swirls of purple, black, and white that look like shiny gemstones. Topped with crystal sprinkles, these cookies really sparkle. Thanks to both vanilla and almond flavors, the taste is just as good as the visuals. They're sure to get people talking and wow any dessert table—definitely not your typical cookies.

Vibrant Cookie Creation Ingredients

  • Gel food coloring (purple, black, white): Adds bold colors without messing with the dough texture.
  • Black sugar sprinkles: These give the sides a cool, detailed edge.
  • Purple crystal sprinkles: Makes the inside pop just like fancy rocks.
  • Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Keeps things sweet and flavorful.
  • Almond extract (1/2 tsp): This boost of almond is so tasty and deep.
  • Salt (1/2 tsp): Makes all the flavors shine without being too sweet.
  • All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups / 280g): The main thing that holds your cookie together.
  • Milk (1 tbsp): Helps everything blend so the dough is nice and workable.
  • Large egg (1): Adds moisture and structure.
  • Powdered sugar (1 cup / 120g): Gives that soft, melt-away bite.
  • Unsalted butter (1 cup / 226g): This makes for the best, tender cookies ever.

Colorful Cookie Building

Chill and Wrap:
Wrap your layered log and cover it up with black sprinkles for those crisp edges. Pop it in the fridge for an hour or more so it firms up—this helps with neat cuts later.
Layer and Roll:
Start by spreading out the black dough in a rectangle, put the white dough over it, then top that with purple. Scatter a bunch of purple sprinkles on the purple part and roll up the whole thing into a tight log.
Knead the Colors:
Split your dough into three. Color one purple, another black, and leave one white. Knead each chunk until the color's even all the way through.
Mix Up the Dough:
Beat the butter and sugar so it's super fluffy. Toss in the egg, milk, almond, and vanilla next. Gradually add your flour and salt until you get a nice, smooth dough that isn't sticky.
A purple cookie with a slice cut out of it. Pin it
A purple cookie with a slice cut out of it. | cookitdelish.com

Eye-Catching Serving Ideas

Lay these cookies out on a black or dark plate to make the colors jump. For something extra, set them near real stones or polished rocks. Sprinkle a little sparkling edible dust to get some extra shine, especially for parties.

Fresh Color Spin-Offs

Rose Quartz – Try pink gel and shiny sprinkles for a light, dreamy look. Emerald Geode – Use green dough layers for a bold, jewel scene. Blue Agate – Swap in blue tint and clear sprinkles for cool and icy vibes.

Stay Tasty Longer

Seal up your cookies and keep at room temp—they're fine for about five days. Got extra dough? Freeze the logs up to two months ahead and slice right from the fridge when you're ready to bake.

A plate with a variety of cookies, including one with a purple icing. Pin it
A plate with a variety of cookies, including one with a purple icing. | cookitdelish.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap in liquid food coloring for gel in these Purple Galaxy Cookies?
Go with gel food coloring for stronger color and less mess. If all you've got is liquid dye, use just a little. The dough might get sticky, so toss in some extra flour if needed.
→ How early can I prep the dough for these cookies?
You can stash the dough log in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze it up to 3 months and just let it thaw overnight in the fridge before you start slicing and baking.
→ What other combos of colors could I try for 'galaxy' cookies?
Try blue, black, and white for a blue space look with silver sprinkles. Orange, pink, and yellow plus gold sprinkles make a sunset vibe. Want aliens? Go with green, white, and black.
→ Why did the galaxy swirl in my cookies look fuzzy after baking?
If your dough gets warm, the cool swirl can blend in too much. Keep that dough log chilled and slice quick. If it softens, just pop it back in the fridge to keep things sharp.
→ Is it okay to skip almond extract?
Yep! If you're not into almond or worried about allergies, just toss in more vanilla, or swap in coconut or lemon extract if you're feeling adventurous.

Effortless Purple Galaxy Cookies

These bold Purple Galaxy Cookies mix bright sprinkles with purple, black, and white dough swirls for a spacey look that's yummy and fun.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By Chloe: Chloe

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 36 Servings (36 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 3½ cups all-purpose flour
02 ½ teaspoon salt
03 ½ cup black or chocolate sprinkles
04 Purple sprinkles
05 Black gel food coloring
06 Purple gel food coloring
07 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 1 teaspoon almond extract
09 2 large eggs
10 2 tablespoons milk
11 2 cups powdered sugar
12 1½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature

Instructions

Step 01

Whip your softened butter with the powdered sugar until light and airy—this should take about 2 minutes with an electric mixer. Toss in the eggs and milk, mixing them just enough so they're combined. Don't overdo it here. Finally, blend in the salt, flour, almond extract, and vanilla extract until the dough becomes smooth and pulls away from the bowl.

Step 02

Split your dough into two equal parts. Tint one half with purple gel food coloring—start small and add more until you get the shade you want. Take the remaining dough, divide it into two smaller halves. Keep one plain and color the other black with black gel food coloring. Now you should have three sections: purple, black, and plain white.

Step 03

Sprinkle some flour on your surface to prevent sticking. Roll out the black dough into a rectangle measuring 6×12 inches. Do the same for the white dough, and lay it carefully on top of the black layer. Use your rolling pin to press them gently together without distorting the shape. Roll out the purple dough to the same dimensions. Scatter a handful of purple sprinkles over the purple dough, leaving a small border around the edge. Press the sprinkles lightly, then roll the purple dough into a log, starting along one of the longer sides.

Step 04

Lay the purple dough roll at the edge of your stacked black-and-white dough. Carefully roll the black and white layers around the purple log, wrapping it fully. Gently press as you roll to keep everything snug and tight. Once done, roll the entire log in black or chocolate sprinkles so they stick to the outside. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge for an hour or, if you can, overnight—it'll taste even better.

Step 05

When it's baking time, preheat your oven to 375°F and set up a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Take the chilled log out, remove the wrap, and slice into rounds about ¼-inch thick using a sharp knife. Spread the cookies out on the baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. For a little extra flair, sprinkle a few purple sprinkles onto the middle of each cookie.

Step 06

Bake the cookies for approximately 10 minutes, pulling them out when the edges turn a light golden brown. Don't leave them in too long—they can overbake fast! Give them 10 minutes to cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack, which will help them firm up enough to handle without crumbling.

Notes

  1. These colorful cookies showcase a vivid design with a purple core encircled by contrasting black and white layers for a bold aesthetic.
  2. You can prep the dough in advance—leave it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it for 3 months. Just slice and bake when you're ready.
  3. Switch up the colors for different occasions! Red and green look great for Christmas, while orange and black are perfect for Halloween.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer with beaters
  • Pin for rolling
  • Set of measuring spoons and cups
  • Cookie sheets for baking
  • Non-stick parchment paper or silicone mat
  • Plastic wrap for wrapping
  • Knife with a sharp blade
  • Cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes wheat/gluten
  • Made with dairy (butter, milk)
  • Contains eggs
  • Could have tree nuts (check sprinkle ingredients)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 165
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 2 g