Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wished you could taste the stars? That’s exactly how I felt when I made these Galaxy Star Cookies for the first time. They’re shiny, sweet, and just so fun to bake.
The dough rolls out so easily, and cutting those little stars feels a bit magical. I love swirling those deep galaxy colors—purple, blue, and silver—right before they bake. Every cookie comes out looking like its own little universe.
And the best part? They taste as dreamy as they look. Soft, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth good, these cookies always get people talking. I can’t help but smile every time someone bites into one and goes, “Wow!”
So grab your favorite cookie cutters and a little food coloring magic. I’ll show you how to make these Galaxy Star Cookies step by step. Trust me, it’s easier than it looks, and you’ll feel like you baked a piece of the sky.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cosmic Beauty: The swirl of colors in these cookies mimics the stunning beauty of the galaxy.
- Simple Yet Stunning: Though the result looks intricate, this recipe is easy to follow and only requires a few basic ingredients.
- Fun for All Ages: Whether you’re baking with kids or creating an out-of-this-world treat for yourself, these cookies are fun for everyone.
- Perfect for Any Celebration: Ideal for birthdays, themed parties, or just a fun baking day at home.
- Customizable: You can adjust the color palette to suit any theme, and add edible glitter to enhance the galaxy effect.
Required Kitchen Tools
Before diving into the recipe, make sure you have the following tools on hand:
- Electric Mixer: To make the dough smooth and creamy.
- Mixing Bowls: You’ll need multiple bowls for separating the dough and adding food coloring.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For precise measurements of ingredients.
- Whisk: To mix dry ingredients.
- Star-shaped Cookie Cutter: The star shape adds that perfect cosmic touch!
- Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
- Parchment Paper: Helps prevent the cookies from sticking to the baking sheet.
- Cooling Rack: To allow your cookies to cool evenly.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make these vibrant, cosmic cookies (exact measurements are provided in the recipe card below):
- Butter (1 cup, softened): This forms the base of the dough, creating a smooth texture.
- Sugar (1 cup): Adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Egg (1 large): Helps bind the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle, rich flavor.
- All-purpose Flour (2 ½ cups): The main dry ingredient in the dough.
- Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise slightly and get that nice texture.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness of the cookies.
- Food Coloring (blue, purple, pink): These colors will create the swirl of the galaxy in each cookie.
- Edible Glitter or Sprinkles: Optional, but highly recommended to add that extra sparkle!
Variations for Galaxy Star Cookies
One of the best things about these cookies is how customizable they are! Here are a few ideas to make them uniquely yours:
- Change the Colors: While the traditional galaxy colors are blue, purple, and pink, you can experiment with other color combinations such as green, teal, or even neon shades for a futuristic twist.
- Use Different Cookie Cutters: If you don’t have a star-shaped cookie cutter, try using a moon, planet, or heart-shaped one instead for a different celestial theme.
- Add Flavored Extracts: Swap out vanilla extract for almond or lemon extract to give the cookies a subtle flavor twist.
- Sprinkles: For an even more sparkly galaxy effect, you can sprinkle edible glitter on top of the cookies before baking them. This adds a fun, shimmery look that mimics stars in the night sky.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent your cookies from sticking. You can also lightly grease them if parchment paper isn’t available.
2. Cream the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a soft, chewy cookie texture.
Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the egg and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until smooth. The egg will help bind the dough, and the vanilla extract will provide a warm, comforting flavor to balance the sweetness.
3. Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Make sure the dry ingredients are evenly mixed so the baking soda can work effectively when the cookies bake.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed to prevent flour from flying out of the bowl. Continue mixing until everything is just combined, and you have a smooth cookie dough.
5. Divide and Color the Dough
Once your dough is ready, divide it into three equal portions. You’ll be coloring each portion with a different food color to create the galaxy effect.
- Add a few drops of blue food coloring to one portion and mix well until the dough turns a rich blue.
- Do the same with the purple food coloring in another portion.
- Lastly, add pink food coloring to the third portion and mix it until it’s a vibrant pink color.
If you want more intensity, feel free to add extra drops of food coloring until you achieve the desired shades.
6. Swirl the Colors Together
Here’s where the magic happens! Take small portions of each colored dough and place them together on a flat surface. Gently roll the dough into a log shape, then twist and fold it to create the marbled galaxy effect. Don’t overwork the dough; you want to maintain the swirled look.
Once your dough is marbled, gently press it into a flat disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to help it firm up, making it easier to cut into shapes.
7. Roll Out the Dough
After chilling, remove the dough from the refrigerator and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin.
Use your star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the cookies. Carefully transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheet, placing them about 2 inches apart to give them space to spread slightly while baking.
8. Bake the Cookies
Bake your galaxy star cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, as they can quickly go from golden to crispy.
Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Add Glitter (Optional)
To make your cookies shine like the stars, sprinkle a little edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles on top of the cookies before serving. This extra touch will give the cookies an ethereal, otherworldly shine that’s perfect for your galaxy theme!
How to Serve Galaxy Star Cookies
Galaxy Star Cookies are perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re serving them at a birthday party, a themed event, or just enjoying them at home with a cup of tea or coffee, they’re sure to impress.
- At a Party: These cookies are ideal for a space-themed or galaxy-inspired party. Serve them alongside other fun treats like moon-shaped cupcakes or cosmic drinks!
- As a Gift: Pack them in a cute tin or jar and gift them to friends and family. It’s a sweet and creative way to show someone you care.
- For a Themed Movie Night: If you’re having a movie night with a sci-fi theme, these cookies are the perfect snack to munch on while watching space-themed movies.
Storing Galaxy Star Cookies
- At Room Temperature: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Just be sure to let them cool completely before storing them to prevent moisture buildup.
- In the Freezer: If you want to make a batch ahead of time, these cookies freeze really well. Simply place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition (per cookie)
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 180 |
Total Fat | 9g |
Saturated Fat | 5g |
Cholesterol | 35mg |
Sodium | 75mg |
Total Carbs | 24g |
Fiber | 0g |
Sugars | 12g |
Protein | 1g |
Conclusion
Galaxy Star Cookies are a fun and creative treat that will leave everyone amazed. The colorful swirls of blue, purple, and pink, combined with a buttery, soft texture, make for a perfect cookie that’s both beautiful and delicious. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to add a touch of cosmic wonder to your day, these cookies are sure to shine.
Galaxy Star Cookies
Course: Uncategorized24
cookies25
minutes10
minutes180
kcal30
minutesIngredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Blue and purple gel food coloring
Edible glitter or luster dust
White royal icing or melted white chocolate (for stars)
Directions
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. - Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix until smooth. - Color the Dough:
Divide the dough into 3 bowls. Tint one blue, one purple, and leave one plain. Swirl the colors gently together (don’t overmix). - Chill Dough:
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes. - Shape Cookies:
Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies. - Bake:
Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes, or until edges are just set. Cool completely. - Decorate:
Brush lightly with edible glitter or luster dust. Pipe white icing stars or drizzle with melted white chocolate for a galaxy sparkle effect.