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Tri-Color Holiday Treats

Category: Treats That Make Everything Better

Brighten up holiday spreads with these fun three-tone cookies. You can flavor each dough section differently if you feel like it, or just stick with one extract for simplicity. That sugary shell gives them a little sparkle and a tiny crunch.

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Clare Recipes
Created By Lily Chen
Updated on Sat, 17 May 2025 17:15:55 GMT
Tray of bright cookies in green, red, and white with sparkling tops on a buttery base, surrounded by holiday decor. Save
Tray of bright cookies in green, red, and white with sparkling tops on a buttery base, surrounded by holiday decor. | lilicooks.com

Holiday Neopolitan Cookies pop with red, green, and white dough. These cute little sweets get rolled in sugar crystals before hitting the oven. They’re just right for adding some fun to your Christmas goodies lineup. Feel free to play with different flavors, or stick with good ol’ vanilla so everyone’s happy.

What Makes These Cookies Awesome

First off, these cookies look like holiday magic on a plate. Their bite-sized shape makes munching and sharing a breeze. You can go wild with flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, or peppermint to make them your own. They’re bright, easy to love, and pack a punch of festive flavor!

Must-Have Ingredients To Nail It

  • Coating: Sanding sugar: ½ cup (100g), with big crystals for that perfect sparkle.
  • Optional Flavoring: Peppermint extract: ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) for the green part; Cinnamon extract: ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml) for the red part.
  • Color Pop: Red gel food color: ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml), pro quality; Green gel food color: ¼ teaspoon (1.25ml), pro quality.
  • Main Mix: Unsalted butter: 1 cup (227g) at 65°F (18°C), pick European style with 82% butterfat if you can; Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200g), pure cane and finely ground; Egg yolks: 2 (36g) at 65°F (18°C); Real vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons (10ml).
  • Dry Team: All-purpose flour: 2½ cups (300g) at 70°F (21°C), with 10-12% protein; Fine sea salt: ¼ teaspoon (1.5g).

Easy-To-Follow Directions

Cool Down
Once baked, let cookies cool for 5 minutes on sheets till they hit 120°F (49°C). Then put them on racks till they’re totally cool, about 75°F (24°C).
Oven Ready
Crank your oven up to 350°F (175°C). Double-check with another thermometer if you’re picky. Set racks near the top and bottom. Line your trays with parchment. Try to keep your kitchen at 68-72°F (20-22°C), under 60% humidity if possible.
Dough Division
Split the dough into three 300g chunks. One stays plain white. Add red gel to one, blend it really well for solid color (think Pantone 185C). Stir green gel into another for bold green (Pantone 354C).
Sugar Roll
Take each dough ball and roll it in sanding sugar so it’s totally covered. Spread them out on your trays—two inches between each.
Mixing Flour
Add flour in three goes and mix gently, just enough until there’s no more dry stuff. You want the dough to finish around 68-70°F (20-21°C).
Shaping Time
Roll each colored dough piece into an 18-inch rope, about half an inch thick. Lay all three ropes next to each other and nudge them together so they stick. Cut crosswise every half-inch. Roll each piece into a one-inch (24g) ball.
Baking Details
Pop in oven for 10-12 minutes. You want edges to look done but the middle should still be soft when you gently press. Inside should reach 165°F (74°C). Tops should look matte and maybe a little crackly.
Butter & Sugar Start
Let butter whip until it gets fluffy (about 2 minutes). Slowly add sugar till the mix is around 70°F (21°C) and sandy looking (around 3 minutes). Drop in egg yolks one at a time, then pour in vanilla. Mix each for about 30 seconds.

Tricks for Nailing Neopolitan Cookies

Stick with gel colors so your dough won’t get too soft. Go easy with the mixer so the cookies turn out tender and not tough. Don’t skip the sanding sugar—it gives a sweet crunch and looks super sparkly! Want cookies all the same size? Use a cookie scoop for quick, even dough balls.

How To Keep The Cookies Fresh

Keep these cookies in a sealed container at room temp and they’ll stay tasty for around five days. Freezing? Stack them up with parchment in a lidded container, and they’ll be happy in the freezer for up to three months. Let them thaw out on your counter before you eat or pack them up.

Mix It Up With Flavors

Try switching up the flavorings—peppermint in the green dough, cinnamon in the red, and vanilla in the white. For a zippy twist, add a bit of orange or lemon zest to brighten up the batch.

Red and green sugar-dusted cookies sit on a holiday tray, ready for sharing. Save
Red and green sugar-dusted cookies sit on a holiday tray, ready for sharing. | lilicooks.com

Just Right For Sharing

Holiday Neopolitan Cookies are perfect for giving. Tuck them into clear bags with a ribbon, or stack them in a bright tin for instant holiday vibes. Yummy and good-looking, they’re an easy way to make someone’s day a little sweeter!

Recipe FAQs

→ Why not add all extracts at once?

Giving each dough its own flavor keeps the colors tasting unique. Mixing them all together blends the taste.

→ Can I make the dough ahead?

Totally! Chill it up to three days. When you're ready, take it out and let it loosen up so you can roll and shape easily.

→ Why use gel food coloring?

Gel colors really pop and don't water down your mix. Liquids might mess up the dough's texture.

→ Can I freeze these cookies?

You sure can. Stack baked cookies between wax paper and seal up tight for about three months.

→ Why roll in sugar before baking?

The sugar gives them a sweet shine and a light, crackly crunch. It's fun, but you don't have to if you want to skip it.

Tri-Color Treats

Cheerful three-color cookies with sweet red, green, and white dough covered in crunchy sugar. Just right for parties and sharing.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
10 min
Overall Time
25 min
Created By: Lily Chen

Category: Sweet Stuff

Skill Level: Moderate

Cuisine Type: American

Output: 36 Serves (36)

Dietary Options: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup of softened butter.
02 ⅔ cup of granulated sugar.
03 2 yolks from large eggs.
04 2 teaspoons and ¼ of vanilla, or mix ¾ teaspoon from different extracts.
05 2 and ⅓ cups of regular flour.
06 ½ cup of sanding sugar to roll.
07 Red food gel coloring.
08 Green food gel coloring.

Steps

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F before starting.

Step 02

Whip the butter and sugar until it looks smooth and airy.

Step 03

Stir in the yolks from your eggs.

Step 04

Pour in vanilla if you're sticking to one flavor.

Step 05

Gently fold the flour in until the dough just comes together.

Step 06

Separate the dough into three sections.

Step 07

If you're using multiple extracts, stir them into the portions now.

Step 08

Add red to one dough section and green to another.

Step 09

Shape each dough color into 18-inch logs.

Step 10

Press the colorful logs gently together.

Step 11

Cut across the dough logs into slices about ½ inch thick.

Step 12

Take each slice and roll it into a ball shape.

Step 13

Roll the balls in sanding sugar so they get an even coat.

Step 14

Line a sheet with parchment and set the balls on top.

Step 15

Pop them in the oven for 10 minutes or until set.

Tips

  1. You can flavor each color differently using extracts.
  2. Clean your tools between colors if adding different flavors.
  3. Space dough balls 2 inches apart while baking.

Required Tools

  • Cookie sheets to bake on.
  • Parchment paper for lining.
  • Bowls for mixing.
  • Electric hand mixer.
  • Knife that's sharp for slicing.
  • Cooling rack for the finished cookies.

Allergy Information

Always check each ingredient for allergens, and consult a medical professional if unsure.
  • Contains wheat due to the flour.
  • Has dairy from butter.
  • Includes eggs.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

These details are shared for general guidance and don’t replace professional advice.
  • Calories: 104
  • Fats: 5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Proteins: 1 g