Get into the holiday spirit with these delightful Christmas cookies with sprinkles! These soft, buttery cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends or for leaving out for Santa. With their festive look and sweet, tender bite, they’ll bring joy to every cookie tray.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
These cookies are the perfect combination of fun and flavor. They’re incredibly easy to make, making them ideal for a holiday baking session with kids. The sprinkles add a festive touch that’s sure to brighten up any table, and the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture will have everyone reaching for seconds. Plus, they’re highly customizable, so you can get creative with shapes and colors!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of these festive cookies. Full ingredient measurements are listed below.
- Unsalted butter (softened)
- Granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Egg
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Holiday-themed sprinkles
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract and egg until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and gently press them flat onto the baking sheet.
- Decorate each cookie with sprinkles, pressing them slightly to stick.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before rolling if it feels too soft to handle.
- For evenly sized cookies, use a small cookie scoop.
- Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft; they should just start to turn golden at the edges.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Add a hint of almond extract alongside the vanilla for extra depth of flavor.
- Use colored sugar or glittery sprinkles for a more dramatic holiday effect.
- Shape the cookies with festive cookie cutters and sprinkle the designs before baking.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve these cookies with a warm mug of hot cocoa, spiced cider, or a glass of milk. They’re also a lovely addition to a dessert platter alongside other holiday treats like fudge, gingerbread men, and peppermint bark. For a festive touch, wrap them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons to give as edible gifts.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to make them ahead, freeze the dough balls (without sprinkles) for up to three months and bake them fresh when needed.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid overly salty cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour.
What’s the best way to get sprinkles to stick?
Gently press the sprinkles into the dough before baking to ensure they adhere.
Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes! Add a few drops of food coloring to the wet ingredients for a festive twist.
Conclusion
Christmas cookies with sprinkles are a holiday classic that never goes out of style. They’re easy to make, endlessly festive, and guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone who tries them. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cookie exchange, or just for fun, these cookies are a must-try. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 60 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles are a festive and delicious treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. They’re soft, chewy, and loaded with colorful sprinkles, making them a fun and festive addition to your cookie platter.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix (one box)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer and a large bowl, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy (4-5 minutes).
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in eggs, vanilla, and instant pudding mix.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture, a little at a time, mixing between additions.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Place sprinkles in a small, shallow bowl. Using a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, scoop cookie dough out and roll in your hands to form a ball. Place the dough ball in the bowl of sprinkles and roll to coat in sprinkles. Place onto prepared cookie sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until set and lightly golden brown around the edges. Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool fully.
Notes
- Storage: Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze cookies for up to 3 months.
- Make Ahead: The cookie dough can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake, up to 3 days. Or the cookie dough can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg