Fall is a great time for baking projects with the kids and no one can resist these multi-colored cookies in the shape of leaves and pumpkins. On the next blustery, autumnal day when you are stuck inside, turn on the oven and make a batch of these sweet treats with your children. After all, kids can help out in the kitchen more than you might think!
How to make fall shaped cookies
The autumnal coloring effect was simple to create and if you and your kids can make sugar cookies you can make these! Think of how great it would be to enjoy these cookies after a busy week checking some of these fun fall family activities off your list, reading fall books, or helping your child make his own Halloween costume.
What You Need:
Sugar cookie dough. Make your own, or use a store-bought dough (no judgements from me!).
Cookie cutters. Select fall shapes like leaves and pumpkins
Food coloring. You want at least three colors.
Note on food coloring: you can use standard artificial food dye or "natural" food dyes. Instead of liquid food dye, we used turmeric and cocoa powder.
Kitchen tools. Rolling pin, baking sheets, parchment paper, etc.
Instructions
Make a batch of your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe, and divide the dough into thirds.
Mix in the Coloring
In one of the dough portions, mix in the yellow dye, or turmeric powder. If using turmeric, you don't need much, about ½ teaspoon. Don't worry. It doesn't really alter the flavor. These will not be curry-flavored cookies.
In another portion, mix in the cocoa powder, or dye color of your choice. We used as much cocoa powder as we could without altering the texture of the dough. (I'm not an exact science baker.)
For the third portion, add a different color or leave uncolored, which is what we did.
Create the multi-colored dough
Now that you have three balls of cookie dough, tear each portion into multiple sections and randomly arrange the portions so that you have a large, mottled-looking ball of dough. Refrigerate before rolling, if necessary.
Place dough onto floured surface and roll out to thickness indicated in your recipe.
Cut out fall leaves and pumpkin shapes, making sure to get two or three colors into each cookie shape. Bake according to your recipe instructions.
What I love about this method of making autumn-inspired cookies is that the idea can be adapted to any holiday. For Christmas use red, green and white dough and tree and wreath cookie cutters. For spring, use blue, green and pink dough and flower cookie cutters. You get the idea.
The best part? Eating the cookies with your kids.
MORE FALL FUN IN THE KITCHEN:
- Apple taste test for little scientists
- Pear ripening science experiment
- Mini pumpkin printing
Idea first published 2009, updated 2025.
maryanne says
This is a great idea - and I love that you were able to use natural food coloring!
Shan says
Hey! Thanks for the shout-out! But now you made me look bad for using commercial food coloring. (Just kidding. But I sort of do look bad.)
Mom and Kiddo says
No, you don't look bad and yours are so much prettier! Can't you see how ours are a little blobby? I patched together the dough in some places because I was too lazy to reroll! I am just neurotic, it's not a good thing to be.
Tracie says
Anything natural really appeals me because personally I feel whole grain, vegetables and fruits are the complete source of nutrients and when it comes to kids we must make every effort in feeding them Healthier Foods
Nellie says
What a cool idea! I'd never thought of using turmeric as a food coloring. And, yes, I was wondering exactly how turmeric made a cookie taste.
Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog says
I love this idea, and I love how you achieved such bright yellow with the turmeric. I would have never thought of that, but they look great (and I'm sure they tasted fabulous too)!
Paula says
Thanks for sharing the resources..I always believe in Real and natural foods because it is the only source of nutrients. Choosing right food
Bona Fide Mama says
Cool, I like to use natural coloring too! Never thought of using tumeric. 🙂
Fun Mama - Deanna says
Very cute cookies. It's making me want to go bake.