Leopard Print Cookies Recipe
Learn how to make stunning leopard print cookies with this easy recipe! Soft, buttery cookies with a fun animal print design, perfect for Christmas, parties, gifts, or just for fun!
After trying hundreds of cookie recipes, including some of my most popular cookies (with millions of views), such as soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies and 3-ingredient butter cookies, I can say that these leopard print cookies are definitely among the most unique cookie designs. They are absolutely delicious and melt in your mouth.
Video Recipe 📹
Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make the best leopard print cookies. This step-by-step tutorial simplifies the process, offering tips and tricks to guarantee perfect results every time.
Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box for the full written recipe! 👇
Why You’ll Love Leopard Print Cookies 🐆🍪
Leopard print cookies are a baking masterpiece that combines taste and creativity! Here’s why you’ll love this decorative cookies recipe:
- Fun and Unique Design: These animal print cookies are perfect for parties or gifting, or even Christmas, these cookies are a showstopper.
- Delicious Flavor: Buttery and soft with hints of cocoa.
- Great for Kids: This is one of the best fun cookie recipes for kids, letting them unleash their creativity while enjoying a sweet treat.
- Perfect for Parties: A fancy cookie recipe for parties that’s sure to impress your guests.
- Versatile Shape Options: Experiment with different shapes and designs to create unique cookie designs that stand out.
Ingredients for Leopard Print Cookies
- Butter: Adds richness and softness to the dough.
- Powdered Sugar: Provides a smooth texture and mild sweetness.
- Egg: Helps bind the dough and adds structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor with a sweet aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of this patterned cookies recipe, giving it structure.
- Baking Powder: Ensures a slight rise for soft cookies.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Cocoa Powder: Used for creating the leopard print design.
This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇
How to Make Leopard Print Cookies 🐾
This creative cookie decorating idea is simpler than it looks! Follow these steps:
1. Prepare the Dough: Mix wet and dry ingredients to create a smooth cookie dough.
2. Color and Divide: Separate the dough into portions, coloring two parts with cocoa powder for the leopard print. Now we have 3 dough portions with different sizes and colors. Wrap them with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
3. Shape the Spots: Roll the black dough (medium portion) into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Then cut into 2 strips as shown in the video. Shape the brown (smallest portion) dough into 2 thin logs as described in the video. Wrap the logs with the black dough and leave a little gap (don’t seal the sough). Take the dough from the freezer and cut it into 5 mm portions (see video).
3. Roll and Cut: Flatten the dough, place the prepared spots randomly over the plain dough press the pattern, and use a cutter for your desired shapes.
4. Bake: Bake until golden for delicious, stunning cookies.
For a better understanding of the process of making leopard print cookies, I highly recommend watching the step-by-step video tutorial.
Leftover Dough 🍪
Although leftover dough can’t recreate the animal print cookies, don’t toss the scraps! Combine and roll the leftover dough to create marble-style cookies. Cut into shapes and bake as usual for delicious, non-leopard cookies.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Leopard Print Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Keeps the dough firm and easier to shape.
- Don’t Overmix: Prevents the dough from becoming tough.
- Use a Light Touch: When pressing the pattern, avoid over-flattening.
- Plan the Pattern: Arrange spots randomly for a natural leopard look.
- Work Quickly: Prevent the dough from softening too much.
Troubleshooting Leopard Print Cookies 🐾⚠️
- Dough Too Sticky: Chill for an additional 10-15 minutes. ❄️
- Pattern Blurring: Avoid over-rolling the dough. Use gentle pressure.
- Cracking Dough: Let it warm slightly at room temperature before rolling. 🌡️
- Cookies Overbaking: Watch closely and remove when edges are just golden. ⏲️
How to Store
- At Room Temperature: Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days to maintain their softness and flavor.
- Refrigeration: Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Place cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Common Questions
Yes, the dough can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and baking.
Use food coloring to match the party theme (e.g., pink and black for a Barbie theme) while keeping the leopard print design.
If your dough is too soft, it may not have chilled long enough. Pop it in the refrigerator for an additional 15–20 minutes before handling.
Yes! Substitute the egg with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 3 tablespoons of aquafaba (chickpea water), or 1 tablespoon of flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water.
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Leopard Print Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup (115 g) Butter softened
- ¾ cup (100 g) Powdered sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- Pinch Salt
- 2 tablespoons (16 g) Cocoa powder separated
Instructions
- Prepare the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy (about 2-3 minutes). Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into 1/3 (Should weigh about 170 grams) and 2/3 (Should weigh about 350 grams).
- Take the smaller portion and divide it into 1/3 (60g) and 2/3 (110g).
- Color the dough: Leave the largest portion (2/3) plain for the cookie base. To the medium portion add 1½ tablespoons of cocoa powder and mix until evenly combined for a dark brown color. To the smallest portion, add 1/2 teaspoon of cocoa powder and mix until evenly colored.
- Now we have 3 dough portions with different sizes and colors. Wrap them with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
- Create the leopard spots: Roll the black dough (medium portion) into a rectangle about 1/4 inch (1/2cm) thick. Then cut into 2 strips as shown in the video. Shape the brown (smallest portion) dough into 2 thin logs as described in the video. Wrap the logs with the black dough and leave a little gap (don't seal the sough). Wrap and place in the freezer for 15 minutes. *watch the video for a better understanding.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Assemble the cookies: Roll out the plain dough into a 1/4-inch (1/2 cm) thick circle. Take the dough from the freezer and cut it into 5 mm portions (see video). Place the prepared spots randomly over the plain dough. Use the leftover black dough to crate little dots (see video) and sprinkle them randomly.
- Cover the surface with plastic wrap, gently press with a rolling pin, then roll the dough to flatten the spots into the base dough. Be careful not to over-roll; you want the spots to remain distinct.
- Cut and bake: Use a 2-inch (5cm) cookie cutter or knife to cut out shapes (circles, squares, or your choice). Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking tray.
- Use the leftover dough: Unfortunately, you can't create leopard print cookies from the leftover dough, but you can make regular (marble) cookies: take all the leftover dough, combine it to a new dough, on a floured surface, roll the dough into a 1/4-inch (1/2 cm) thick circle. Use a 2-inch (5cm) cookie cutter or knife to cut out shapes (circles, squares, or your choice). Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking tray. Repeat until you use all the dough.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges start turning golden. Do not overbake.
- Cool and serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your stunning leopard print cookies!
Video
Notes
- Watch the Video: For a better understanding of the recipe, I always recommend watching the video recipe, which includes a step-by-step guide to help you succeed.
- FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located above the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
