Nothing says holiday cheer quite like a batch of homemade christmas sprinkle cookies. With their festive colors, buttery crunch, and irresistible charm, these cookies are the ultimate treat to sweeten up your celebrations. Ready to discover the magic behind these merry morsels? Keep reading — your new favorite holiday tradition is just a recipe away!
| Servings: | 24 cookies |
| Prep Time: | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time: | 10 minutes |
| Total Time: | 25 minutes |
| Serving Size: | 1 cookie |
Description
Christmas sprinkle cookies are like holiday cheer in bite-sized form. Imagine the buttery softness of a sugar cookie meeting the vibrant crunch of festive sprinkles — each bite evokes the warmth of home, the smell of pine, and the distant melody of holiday carols playing in the background. They are golden on the edges, pillowy in the middle, and studded with red and green jimmies that make every cookie look like it was kissed by Christmas magic.
These cookies are more than just sweet treats — they are edible memories. Whether nestled in a cookie tin to gift to neighbors or stacked high on Santa’s plate the night before Christmas, they carry with them the joy of giving and gathering. Their tender crumb practically melts in your mouth, and the festive sprinkles offer just enough crunch to make things fun. They are simple to bake, beautiful to serve, and impossible to resist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Christmas sprinkle cookies come together easily with pantry staples and require no special decorating skills — the sprinkles do all the heavy lifting when it comes to holiday charm. The dough is forgiving, making it the perfect recipe to bake with kids while sipping hot cocoa and listening to your favorite Christmas playlist.
With their soft texture, buttery flavor, and cheerful appearance, this recipe is endlessly customizable. Swap out the color of the sprinkles for different seasons or add a splash of almond extract for an extra festive twist. They are freezer-friendly, travel well, and absolutely perfect for cookie exchanges or holiday dessert tables.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serve these cookies at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. They pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk or a mug of steamy hot chocolate on a wintry evening.
To store, place the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies between layers of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They will stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. You can also make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 48 hours or freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the dough in the fridge before baking.
Course, Cuisine, Keywords
Dessert, American, christmas cookies, holiday baking, sugar cookies, sprinkle cookies
Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size
Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serving Size: 1 cookie
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 and ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup red white and green sprinkles
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Creaming adds air for a softer cookie.
- Add egg and vanilla: Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined. You should see the texture lighten slightly again here.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures they disperse evenly into the dough later on.
- Combine wet with dry: Slowly add the flour mixture into your creamed butter mixture. Place your mixer on low to avoid flour clouds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to incorporate all the dry bits.
- Fold in the sprinkles: Add the red white and green sprinkles and gently fold them into the dough using a spatula. If using jimmies, they will hold up better than nonpareils which tend to bleed color into the dough.
- Portion the dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop evenly sized cookie balls. Place them 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. No need to flatten — they spread slightly as they bake.
- Bake: Pop the sheet into the oven and bake for 9 to 11 minutes. Look for golden edges and set tops. The centers should still be soft. Do not overbake or they lose their pillowy softness.
- Cool: Remove the tray and let the cookies sit for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This short rest helps firm them up without overbaking.
- Serve or store: Enjoy once cooled or store as directed. These make a perfect last-minute sweet for guests or gifts.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 160 |
| Protein | 2g |
| Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Sugar | 10g |
| Fiber | 0g |
| Sodium | 70mg |
Try using almond extract in place of half the vanilla for a nutty holiday twist. For crunchier edges, add an extra minute to bake time. Use parchment to prevent sprinkle bleeding.
FAQ
Can I use natural food dyes if I want to make my own sprinkles?
Yes. You can dye shredded coconut or make homemade jimmies using natural colorings like beet or turmeric powders, though they may not be as vivid as commercial sprinkles.
What’s the best way to freeze these cookies?
Cool the cookies completely, then freeze in single layers separated by wax or parchment paper in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Too-soft butter or overly warm dough can cause excess spreading. Be sure to use room temperature butter and if needed, chill the dough briefly before baking your next tray.
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Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup red white, and green sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a dough forms. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is well combined.
- Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles until evenly distributed through the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out balls of dough and place them at least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Serve once cooled or store as directed.
