The crackle effect on sugar cookies is one of those little techniques that makes people go, “Wait… how did you do that?” It gives cookies an aged, vintage look that’s perfect for spooky sets, rustic themes, or just when you want to add some fun texture without piling on icing.

And the best part? It’s super simple—but you have to remember to do it before the cookies go in the oven. Once they’re baked, there’s no going back.

crackle effect on sugar cookie decorated with royal icing

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Here’s how to create the crackle effect on sugar cookies, step-by-step:

1. Start with raw cookie dough

This technique has to be done before baking. If your cookies are already in the oven (or worse—out of it), it’s too late. So make sure to do this right after you’ve cut out your dough shapes and placed them on a baking sheet.

2. Grab your supplies

All you need is white gel food coloring (I love Americolor or Chefmaster) and a small paintbrush. That’s it!

3. Apply the gel coloring

Start with about 2 drops of white gel food coloring in a small dish. Dip your brush in and gently paint a thin, even layer onto the surface of each cookie. If you find it’s not coating well, add a third drop.

Pro tip: After your first cookie or two, the brush will already be a bit loaded with gel, so you probably won’t need to add much more for the next few cookies.

4. Be gentle with that brush

You don’t want to press the gel into the dough. Light pressure is key! If you push too hard, you’ll force the gel past the surface of the dough, which can actually prevent the crackle effect from happening.

5. Bake as usual

That’s it—pop your cookies in the oven and watch the magic happen. The white gel creates this beautiful crackle effect on sugar cookies as they spread and bake.

This is what it will look like after baking:

Troubleshooting the Crackle Effect on Sugar Cookies:

If you’re not getting that dreamy crackle, here are a few things to check:

Too much gel? It might look solid and smooth instead of crackled.
Too little gel? You won’t see much of an effect at all.
Heavy hand with the brush? You might be pressing the color in too much to the dough.
Cookies not spreading? That could be the recipe, too much flour, or just one of those weird baking days. It happens!

Give this a try next time you’re baking, and don’t be afraid to experiment. Once you get the hang of it, the crackle effect on sugar cookies is a super fun technique to have in your back pocket!