The Gelatin Diaries: Gelatin Cookies

This is the continuing saga of me trying to figure out the popularity of gelatin recipes from the 1920s to the 1970s. Each month, I randomly pick a recipe from a jar filled with the good, the bad and the savory gelatin recipes to see which ones were worth it and which ones should stay forgotten. I post the recipe at the end if you are so inclined (or super brave) to try one out for yourself.

The newest recipe in the journey of trying out old recipes made from gelatin is a little different than previous installments. This recipe has nothing suspended in jiggly Jell-O nor has crushed pineapple been mixed in with other add-ins and dubbed a salad. Instead, it is a simple cookie recipe in which some of the sugar has been subbed for a package of Jell-O (or any brand really).

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I found this recipe for gelatin cookies in a newly acquire recipe box that came with some old recipes typed out on index cards. The cookie ends up taking on the color and flavor of whatever gelatin is used. I giggled while portioning these little cookies out because it does look A LOT like Play-Doh. The cookie is then pressed with a bottom of a glass that has been dipped in colored sugar and baked. Now you have fun-looking cookies.

So are these cookies actually tasty? Yeah, these fun cookies were not half bad. Some may not like the artificial fruity flavors that the gelatin adds to the cookie. I think these would be fun cookies to make with children as there are many colored sugar and gelatin combos. Because this is the month of Halloween, I made these in fun colors that invoke the season.

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Gelatin Cookies

  • Servings: 2 dozen
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

A cookie made using a package of gelatin.

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 3oz package of gelatin, any flavor
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Colored sugar, any color

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar and gelatin.
  4. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
  5. Using a tablespoon, making balls with the dough and place on a cookie sheet.
  6. Dip a slightly moistened bottom of a glass into a small plate filled with colored sugar. Then press the dough balls down flat.
  7. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

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