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Calico Sugar Cookies Recipe

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4 from 35 reviews

  • Author: Amina
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus overnight chilling
  • Yield: 12 servings (about 12 cat-shaped cookies)
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Calico Sugar Cookies are delightful vegan treats featuring a unique, colorful patchwork appearance created by blending three differently flavored doughs: plain, peanut butter, and cocoa. These cookies are soft, slightly chewy, and topped with a smooth layer of melted vegan chocolate mixed with peanut butter for an extra indulgent finish. Perfect for cat lovers and anyone looking for a whimsical, fun cookie to brighten any occasion.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 3/4 cup vegan butter, slightly softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dividing dough)
  • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter powder
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

Topping

  • 1 cup vegan chocolate chips, melted
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • Pinch salt (optional, but recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Butter: Add your vegan butter to a large bowl and beat with a handheld mixer on medium until smooth and fluffy, about 1-2 minutes. You can also use a stand mixer if preferred.
  2. Mix Sugar: Add the granulated sugar and beat on medium until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes. Scrape the bowl as needed to ensure even mixing.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the almond milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until combined, about 30 seconds.
  4. Add Dry Ingredients – First Portion: Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Mix until combined.
  5. Add Remaining Flour: Add the second cup of flour and mix just until combined to avoid overmixing.
  6. Divide Dough: Separate the dough into three equal parts, placing each in its own bowl.
  7. Prepare Plain Dough: To one third of the dough, add 1 tablespoon of flour and mix well but avoid overmixing.
  8. Prepare Peanut Butter Dough: Add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter powder to the second third and mix well, avoiding overmixing.
  9. Prepare Cocoa Dough: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the final third and mix well to combine without overmixing.
  10. Shape Dough Patches: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Form small, irregular patches from the three different doughs and gently press the patches together on the parchment to create a calico pattern.
  11. Roll Dough: Place a second piece of parchment paper over the patchwork dough. Roll out evenly until the dough forms a cohesive sheet about 1/4-inch thick, ensuring patches stay connected and colors remain distinct.
  12. Chill Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate overnight to rest.
  13. Cut Cookies: The following day, use cat-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Re-roll scraps if desired; these may look more tortoise-patterned but are still charming.
  14. Freeze Cookies: Place cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze while preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C) with a rack in the middle.
  15. Bake Cookies: Once the oven is preheated, arrange six cookies on another parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart for spreading. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges start to brown.
  16. Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat baking with the remaining cookies.
  17. Prepare Topping: Melt vegan chocolate chips, peanut butter, and a pinch of salt together in a microwave-safe bowl using short intervals in the microwave or an alternative gentle melting method.
  18. Apply Topping: Once cookies are completely cooled, flip them over and spoon a thin layer of the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture on top. Chill in the refrigerator until set before serving.

Notes

  • Resting the dough overnight enhances flavor and texture, making the cookies softer and more cohesive for cutting.
  • Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies, so mix dry ingredients into wet just until combined.
  • If you don’t have peanut butter powder, you can substitute with peanut butter flavoring or omit for a less pronounced peanut flavor.
  • Freezing the shaped cookies before baking helps them retain their shape and reduces spreading.
  • The melted topping can be varied by using dark or milk-style vegan chocolate depending on sweetness preference.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://aminabakes.com/calico-sugar-cookies-recipe/