The best Jello Sugar Cookies – so easy and colorful!
If you’re looking for the perfect soft and chewy sugar cookie recipe that’s as fun as it is festive, my mom’s Jello sugar cookies are it. These colorful sugar cookies are made with flavored gelatin, which gives them their vibrant color, subtle fruity flavor, and irresistibly chewy texture. This easy Jello cookie recipe is incredibly versatile — simply switch up the Jello flavor to match any holiday, season, baby shower, birthday party, or special celebration. Whether you’re baking pink strawberry cookies for Valentine’s Day, bright green lime cookies for Christmas, or pastel shades for a spring brunch, these old-fashioned Jello sugar cookies are a nostalgic family favorite.
Why I love these sugar cookies so much
I grew up on these cookies. Jello Sugar Cookies are chewy, and perfectly sweet. The Jello adds a special fruity twist, and a lovely color too! This sugar cookie recipe is one my Mom has made since the beginning of time! I searched high and low on the world wide web (I love saying that it makes me giggle.) and I found nary a recipe that is exactly like my Momma’s. She has been making these cookies long before there even was a world wide web! So I am making the bold claim that this is “The” OG Jello Sugar Cookie recipe! I love them. When I make these cookies I feel like a little girl again.
Recipe update February 2026 since I first posted this recipe 14 years ago it has mades it’s way around. You can find many variations. I’m still saying my moms is the best!
Gather these ingredients
How to make Jello sugar cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Add 1/2 cup butter softened, 1/2 cup shortening, 3 ounce package Strawberry Jello (or any flavor you choose) to your mixing bowl.
Cream together until combined, scrape down sides of bowl and beat until fluffy. This will take two to three minutes.
Add 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix on medium-high for an additional two to three minutes.
Measure out 2 1/2 cups of flour add 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon salt to flour. Use your measuring spoon to mix to combine. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
I always use my small cookie scoop for these jell-o cookies. Growing up my mom used a tablespoon to scoop out the dough and rolled the dough into a ball in the palm of her hand. So if you don’t have a cookie dough scoop, it’s all good, no special tools needed.
Roll cookie dough ball in the ball of your hand to give it a round shape, roll in granulated sugar, and place on parchment line baking sheet.
Using the back of a flat spatula or the bottom of a juice glass give each cookie dough ball a slight press to flatten them out before placing in preheated oven for 9-10 minutes.
Cookies should just be starting to brown around the edges and the middle should look set, but not dried out. Remove cookies and allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes on cookie sheet before removing to a cooking rack. Cookies should look like this on the bottom, just barely browned.
After ten minutes or so set cookies on cooking rack. If cookies are over baked they will not be chewy. Allow to cool completely and store in an airtight container, or a zip-loc bag.
Jello sugar cookies are chewy cookies. If you over bake them they will be hard and dry.
Tip for the Best Jello Sugar Cookies
- Don’t overmix the dough: Over mixing can make sugar cookies tough instead of soft and chewy. Once you have added the dry ingredients mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Chill the dough if it’s sticky: If you decide to make cut out cookies with this dough and you think it feels too soft to roll, chill it for 30–60 minutes. This makes it easier to handle and helps the cookies hold their shape.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs. Room temp ingredients blend better and create a smoother dough for evenly baked cookies.
- Bake just until set and just starting to brown around the edges. For perfectly soft Jello sugar cookies, remove them from the oven when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to cook on the baking sheet.
- Match sanding sugar to your Jello mix flavor. Rolling the cookie dough balls in coordinating colored sugar enhances both the flavor and the festive look. It’s also fun to sprinkle glitter sugar on these after pressing. Makes for an especially sparkly cookie for parties and holidays.
Variations
One of the best things about these colorful sugar cookies is how versatile they are. Just a few simple ingredients with the addition of different flavors of jello and you can truly customize them for any holiday or celebration.
–Jello Cut-Out Cookies
Turn this soft sugar cookie dough into roll-out cookies!
- If dough is to soft or sticky to roll out, chill for at least 30 minute- 1 hour.
- Roll to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
- Cut with your favorite cookie cutters.
- Bake as directed, watching closely so they don’t overbake.
This is perfect for Christmas cookies, Easter shapes, hearts for Valentine’s Day, or baby shower themes. The flavored gelatin adds subtle color without needing food dye.
–Jello Sugar Cookie Blossoms (Hershey Kiss Style)
A fun twist inspired by classic peanut butter blossom cookies! You can find the details in the recipe card below.
- Don’t press down on dough balls, bake an additional minute or two.
- Immediately press a Hershey’s Hugs or Hershey’s Kisses into the center as soon as they come out of the oven.
- Let cool completely so the chocolate sets.
The fruity cookie base paired with creamy chocolate is such a fun flavor combo — especially with strawberry, raspberry, or cherry Jello flavors. You can get creative, with Hershey Kisses they make so many fun flavors.
– Holiday Flavor Swaps
Switch the Jello flavor depending on the season:
- Strawberry or Cherry jello – Valentine’s Day
- Lime jello – Christmas or St. Patrick’s Day
- Orange jello – Fall or Halloween
- Berry Blue jello – Summer parties
- Lemon jello – Spring brunches
– Frosted Jello Sugar Cookies
Top with a simple vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting for an extra indulgent cookie perfect for birthdays and showers.
– Sprinkles and Mix-Ins
Fold in white chocolate chips or festive sprinkles to match your celebration theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flavor of Jello works best for sugar cookies?
Almost any flavored gelatin works! Strawberry and Lemon are our personal favorites. However, cherry, raspberry, lime, and orange are also popular. Choose based on the holiday or party theme.
Does the Jello make the cookies taste fruity?
Yes — but subtly. The flavored gelatin adds a light fruity flavor and vibrant color without overpowering the classic sugar cookie base.
Can I make Jello sugar cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely. The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. Baked cookies also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
This usually means the dough is too warm. Chill the dough before baking, and make sure your butter wasn’t overly soft or melted when mixing the dough.
Can I use sugar-free Jello?
Regular Jello works best for texture and structure. Sugar-free versions may alter the consistency of the dough.
Can I use only butter and leave the shortening out?
I have to say no on this one. Using only butter changes the entire texture of this cookie, it will not be as chewy nor will it hold up as well when baking.
I sincerely hope you bake these cookies for your friends and family. They have been a staple cookie throughout my life, showing up at every celebrations. Please take a moment and leave a comment, tell me what your families favorite cookie is and leave a star rating in the recipe card. Thanks for being here. From my table to yours with love, Sheila
The best Jello Sugar Cookies – so easy and colorful!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup crisco shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 ounce package Jello gelatin any flavor
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
prepping sugar cookies
- 1/2 cup sugar for rolling dough in
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Blend butter, crisco shortening, sugar, and Jello together with mixer, approximately 3 minutes on medium high speed.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mix well. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
- Measure out the flour, add baking powder, and salt to flour and mix. Gradually add flour mixture to wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, scrape sides of bowl and give the mixer another turn or two.
- Scoop tablespoon of dough out, roll into ball, roll ball in sugar, place on a parchment lined baking sheet. With the bottom of a flat juice cup of the back of a spatula gently press cookie dough ball down.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi so pleased to find your blog!
My kids will adore these and they look fun to make. Your site seems to have plenty good stuff we like! And YOU have been making me laugh!
Thanks for that ( it’s nice to see you love the Lord too :))
From New Zealand
Diana
These look SOOOO good! What a fun idea. Jell-O always makes me think of my Grandma Nini…. so I cannot wait to make these with my kids. With Easter coming up I’ll include these for fun spring cookies.
oh wow I totally remember these cookies!!! YUM!!! my mom always had jello in the house!!
xoxoxxo
Happy Valentines Day!!!
Hey, lady,
You won the book giveaway at my place! Drop me your address and I’ll toss it in the mail!
[email protected]
I love the variations! Your Momma actually pointed me in the direction of your blog awhile ago, so I love that when I checked it out today you had posted one of her recipes. I made these once, I think with the lemon Jell-O, and they were delicious. I need to make them again soon.
As for me, I’m baking chocolate beet cupcakes for Valentine’s Day. This is the first time I’ve tried this recipe, so I’m hoping they turn out yummy!
Hi Sheila,
Hope you had a great weekend! Looks like you were baking. 😉
Just love these cookies…so sweet.
I know what you mean about how it can be hard to find romantic time. My husband and I were just saying that…so….yesterday, we had our son spend the day with his grandparents and we went on a date – – – an early Valentine’s date. It was just delightful. We saw a movie (The Vow), then went out to eat, and then sat by the restaurant’s fireplace (it was cold and rainy here yesterday – even a touch of sleet!) and enjoyed coffee and dessert. We must have spent three hours there…just chatting. It was heaven. I felt like we really had some time to re-connect.
On the actual date – Feb. 14th – I’ll plan to cook our family a nice dinner and then Ben (our son) and I will make a heart shaped cake for my husband. It’s sort of become a little bit of a tradition from when Ben was young. But I think this year we will have to add your cookies as well! And when it comes to cards…all three of us always make them homemade. Nothing fancy – none of us are crafters! LOL!!! – just hand drawn on card stock. We have a big collection from over the years. It’s just fun.
Have a great week!
Love,
Mary
Aaah a date, sounds marvelous! Isn’t your husband sweet going to see a chick flick with the love of his life. My Kenny will pretty much see anything I want too! Have a great day tomorrow! xoxo, Sheila