There’s something delightfully charming about these buttery little bows, and that’s exactly why the Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe has become one of my all-time favorites. Soft pink hues, crisp edges, and that melt-in-your-mouth texture? Pure happiness in every bite.

The image shows several bright pink, textured dough pieces shaped like loops with an extra twist, arranged on crinkled brown parchment paper. The dough has clear ridges running along its length, giving it a ribbed look, and the pieces are spaced out across the parchment. The lighting highlights the dough's smooth but detailed surface, making the pink color vivid and eye-catching. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I still remember the first time I piped these adorable pink bows—nervous but excited! What makes this Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe a standout in my kitchen is how approachable it feels even if you’re new to piping dough. The buttery richness paired with just a hint of salt and vanilla is utterly addictive.

Perfect Piping Texture: The dough is just soft enough to pipe beautifully but firm enough to hold those cute bow shapes.
Delicate Pink Color: The gentle pink tint brightens up your cookie platter and adds a whimsical touch without artificial overwhelm.
Buttery and Slightly Salty: This balance makes the cookies irresistible, taking them beyond ordinary sugar cookies.
Great for Decorating: These bows are perfect as-is or lend themselves to fun customization for parties or gifts.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on simple, classic ingredients, each playing its part to give you a tender yet crisp cookie with a lovely color and flavor balance. When shopping, aim for quality butter and fresh vanilla extract for the best results.

Flat lay of a small block of very soft butter with a creamy texture, a small white bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a clean white ceramic bowl holding pale pink tinted dough with a smooth surface, a small white bowl containing heavy whipping cream, a few white uncracked eggs with clean shells, a tiny white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, a pinch of sea salt crystals scattered neatly on the surface, all arranged symmetrically and naturally on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Butter: Using very soft but not melted butter is key—it helps create a smooth dough for piping and enhances rich, buttery flavor.
Powdered Sugar: Also called icing sugar, this helps the texture stay smooth, preventing graininess.
Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor.
Sea Salt: Adds that subtle, necessary contrast that lifts the butter and sweetness beautifully.
Pink Food Coloring: A little goes a long way; you can adjust to get exactly the hue you love.
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and ensures a buttery shortbread texture.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Or milk helps bring the dough together for smooth piping.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

What I love most about the Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe is how flexible it is. You can easily swap cream for milk, or even dip finished cookies in melted white chocolate for an extra touch of elegance. Don’t be shy about making it your own!

Variation: One of my favorite twists is adding a drop of almond extract along with vanilla—it gives the cookies a subtle nutty aroma that’s gorgeous for the holidays.
Diet-Friendly: You can try a powdered sugar substitute for a lower-calorie version, though the texture may vary slightly.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe

In this image, a woman's hand holds a piping bag with a metal tip, squeezing out soft pink dough onto a parchment-lined baking tray. The dough forms smoothly textured, rounded loops in two layers on the flat baking sheet, with each loop appearing thick and evenly shaped. The background features a white marbled surface, and there is a partial view of a white cup near the top-right edge of the frame. The scene is bathed in soft, natural light, highlighting the dough's subtle ridges and the woman's light beige sweater sleeve, which is visible on her wrist. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Start with Soft Butter

Getting the butter just right is half the battle. Aim for butter soft enough that your finger easily makes an impression, but not melted or oily. I usually leave mine out for about 30-40 minutes before I start mixing—this makes the piping process smooth and prevents breaks in the bows.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl or stand mixer, whip together the butter and powdered sugar using a paddle attachment. Mix just until the two are combined—overmixing can make the dough tough. This creaming is where you build the cookie's delicate crumb.

Step 3: Add Flavor and Color

Add the vanilla extract, sea salt, and pink food coloring to your butter-sugar mix. I usually add a few drops at a time, so I can gradually adjust the hue to my liking. Remember, the color will soften a bit once flour is incorporated.

Step 4: Fold in Flour and Cream

Gradually mix in the flour until the dough just starts coming together, then add the cream and mix until you have a soft, pipeable dough. Don't overwork it; we want the dough tender, not tough.

Step 5: Prepare for Piping

Transfer about half the dough to a piping bag fitted with a small open star tip. To avoid any frustration, I always use two disposable bags nested inside each other plus a coupler—the dough can be stiff, and this extra reinforcement keeps the bag from bursting mid-pipe.

Step 6: Pipe Your Bows

On parchment-lined baking sheets, pipe little bow shapes. If the dough feels too hard to pipe, gently massage the bag or even use a hair dryer on low heat to warm it evenly—warming makes piping much easier. Freeze the sheet for 10 minutes before baking.

Step 7: Bake and Cool

Bake one sheet at a time at 355°F (180°C) for about 8 minutes. Look for a slight golden tint on the bottom but keep cookies pale on top for that delicate look. Let them cool on the sheet before moving; the cookies firm up and are more fragile when warm.

Top Tip

After a few tries, I've learned that details make all the difference. Here are my best pointers to make your Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe a success from your very first batch.

Butter Temperature: Soft but not melted butter is essential to help the dough hold shape while piping without clogging your tip.
Double Piping Bags: Using two bags nested inside each other with a coupler avoids any mishaps like dough bursting out—trust me, it’s saved many batches!
Freeze Before Baking: Piped dough needs a quick chill to set the shape and prevent spreading in the oven, so don’t skip this step.
Watch Your Oven Timing: Eight minutes is perfect for a tender, crisp cookie; over-baking can make them dry and lose their delicate appeal.

How to Serve Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with the pink bows, but sometimes I dust them lightly with powdered sugar or gently press edible pearl sprinkles into the center of each bow for a little sparkle. It’s a subtle touch that makes these cookies feel even more special.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a nice cup of tea or a smooth latte. I’ve also served them alongside fresh berries and a whipped cream dip during brunch, which adds a lovely contrast and keeps things light.

Creative Ways to Present

For baby showers or birthday parties, I’ve arranged the bow cookies in beautiful circular patterns on cake stands or packaged them in clear boxes tied with delicate ribbons. Their shape and color practically make themselves centerpieces!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cool, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay crisp and flavorful for up to one week, which is great if you want to make a batch ahead for parties.

Freezing

If you want to bake cookies on demand, freeze the piped but unbaked dough on the baking sheet, then transfer the frozen bows into a freezer bag. When ready, bake them straight from frozen—just add a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

Warm any leftover cookies in a low oven (around 275°F/135°C) for a few minutes to bring back that fresh-baked aroma and slight crispness. Just be sure not to overheat, or they might get too brittle.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid for the pink color?

Absolutely! Gel food coloring works even better because it's more concentrated and won’t impact the dough’s texture as much as liquid colors. Just add small amounts until you reach the desired shade.

What tips help make sure the bows don’t lose shape while baking?

Freezing the piped dough for at least 10 minutes before baking is crucial. This helps the dough set and prevents spreading. Also, avoid over-softening the butter, and keep the oven temperature steady to maintain crisp edges.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough, pipe it onto trays, and freeze before baking. When you’re ready, bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time.

What if my dough is too stiff to pipe?

Gently warming the dough helps—massage the piping bag in your hands or use a hairdryer on low heat to warm the dough evenly. Avoid overheating, though, or the cookies may spread too much in the oven.

Final Thoughts

These pink, buttery bows have become a beloved treat in my home, perfect for gifting or just brightening up quiet afternoons. The Pink Butter Piped Bow Cookies Recipe really shows how a few simple ingredients, combined thoughtfully, can deliver a delightful experience that feels both comforting and a little fancy. I promise you’ll love the joy of piping and sharing these charming cookies as much as I do.