These easy homemade Sprinkle Cookies are flavorful, colorful, and a deliciously fun cookie recipe that delights even the pickiest cookie eater! Bursting with vibrant nonpareils and boasting a delightful texture, these cookies are perfect for any celebration or simply to brighten your day.
Bake a Batch of Joy: The Ultimate Sprinkle Cookie Recipe
There’s something undeniably magical about sprinkles. They instantly elevate any treat, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. This Sprinkle Cookie recipe is designed to be wonderfully simple, relying on common pantry staples you likely already have on hand. You don’t need to be a seasoned baker to achieve perfect results; these cookies are incredibly forgiving and consistently turn out soft, chewy, and utterly delicious. If you’re searching for a reliable, guaranteed-to-please cookie that brings smiles and a burst of color, look no further. Whether it’s a birthday party, a holiday gathering, or just a spontaneous baking urge, these vibrant cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone, from the youngest children to the most discerning adults. They offer a delightful crunch from the sprinkles, a tender interior, and a burst of vanilla flavor that makes them truly irresistible. Get ready to add a pop of fun to your baking repertoire!
Frequently Asked Questions About Baking Sprinkle Cookies
Absolutely, yes! Chilling the dough is a crucial step that significantly impacts the final texture and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. We highly recommend chilling your dough for at least one hour. This allows the butter to firm up, preventing rapid melting in the oven, and gives the dry ingredients ample time to fully hydrate. The result is a richer flavor, a more stable dough that holds its shape better, and ultimately, a more desirable, thicker, and chewier cookie texture.
Parchment paper is invaluable for preventing cookies from sticking to the baking sheet and helping them maintain their shape without excessive spreading. The non-stick surface creates a barrier that ensures easy cookie removal and consistent baking. If parchment paper isn’t available, a reusable silicone baking mat (like a Silpat) is an excellent, eco-friendly alternative. While you can bake directly on a lightly greased baking sheet, be aware that your cookies might spread a bit more, leading to a thinner, slightly crunchier result. They’ll still taste fantastic, just with a slightly different consistency!
While we adore the dense, vibrant coverage that nonpareils (the tiny, ball-shaped sprinkles) provide, regular rainbow sprinkles work beautifully too! Nonpareils tend to melt less and provide a more uniform, crunchy coating. However, if regular jimmie-style rainbow sprinkles are what you have on hand or prefer, go for it! They might not offer the same all-over coating due to their larger and flatter shape, but they will still adhere well to the dough and add that iconic festive touch and delicious texture to your cookies. Feel free to use your preferred type of sprinkle to personalize your cookies.
Achieving that perfect flattened cookie shape is easy and contributes to even baking. You can use the bottom of a drinking glass, a flat-bottomed measuring cup, or even the back of a large tablespoon. Simply press down gently on each cookie dough ball until it’s about half an inch thick. If you notice your chosen flattening tool starts to stick to the cookie dough, simply dip its bottom into a little all-purpose flour before pressing down on each cookie. This simple trick ensures a smooth release and perfectly uniform cookies every time, ready for their transformation in the oven.
These delightful sprinkle cookies boast a truly appealing dual texture that makes them incredibly satisfying. You’ll find a wonderfully soft and tender interior that almost melts in your mouth, providing a rich, buttery base. This is perfectly contrasted by a slightly crisp outer edge, which adds a pleasant bite. The abundant sprinkles on the exterior don’t just add color; they contribute an extra layer of delightful crunch, making each bite a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you reaching for another.
To keep your freshly baked sprinkle cookies fresh and delicious for as long as possible, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will maintain their quality and delightful texture for up to one week. For longer storage, these cookies freeze exceptionally well. Once completely cooled, place them in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They will stay fresh for up to three months. Simply let them defrost on the countertop for an hour or two before enjoying their soft, cheerful goodness, perfect for a quick treat anytime.
Essential Ingredients for Your Colorful Sprinkle Cookies
Crafting these delectable sprinkle cookies requires a handful of basic ingredients, most of which are probably already in your pantry. Using high-quality ingredients ensures the best flavor and texture for your homemade treats. For optimal results, ensure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before you begin.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookie dough, providing structure.
- Baking powder & Baking soda: Our leavening agents, crucial for achieving that soft, slightly puffed texture.
- Salted butter: (2 sticks) softened to room temperature. Adds rich flavor and helps with the tender crumb. If using unsalted, add ½ teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to their crispy edges.
- Cream cheese: (2 ounces) softened to room temperature. This is the secret ingredient for an incredibly soft and slightly tangy cookie that makes these truly stand out.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Essential for that classic, comforting cookie flavor. Don’t skimp on quality!
- Nonpareils: (small sprinkles) The star of the show, providing vibrant color and a delightful crunch.
How to Make Irresistible Sprinkle Cookies: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these easy, detailed steps to bake a batch of homemade sprinkle cookies that are bursting with flavor and color. Each stage is designed to ensure a smooth baking process and perfect results every time, even for beginner bakers. Take your time, enjoy the process, and get ready for a delicious reward!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, take two standard baking sheets and line them meticulously with parchment paper. This non-stick surface is absolutely essential for easy cookie removal and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too thinly during baking. Set these prepared sheets aside on your countertop.
- Whisk Together Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry components: the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Use a whisk or a fork to thoroughly blend these ingredients together. Ensuring they are well combined prevents any pockets of leavening agents in your final cookies, leading to a uniform texture.
- Cream Together Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a reliable handheld electric mixer), combine the softened salted butter, granulated sugar, and softened cream cheese. Beat these ingredients together on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and visibly well combined. This creaming process incorporates air into the butter, which is crucial for creating the cookies’ signature soft and tender texture.
- Incorporate Egg and Vanilla: After creaming, stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is fully incorporated. Next, add the large egg and the vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat again on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as excessive mixing can develop gluten in the flour later and lead to tough cookies.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: With the mixer on its lowest speed, gradually add the whisked flour mixture (from step 2) to the wet ingredients, a little at a time. Mix only until just combined and no streaks of dry flour remain visible. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky at this point, which is perfectly normal and indicative of the tender cookies to come. Avoid the temptation to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: This is a critical step for perfect sprinkle cookies! Once your dough is mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it directly into the refrigerator. Allow it to chill for a minimum of one hour. This chilling period is non-negotiable for achieving the best cookie texture, preventing excessive spreading during baking, and allowing flavors to meld. You can chill the dough for up to 24 hours if you wish to prepare it in advance.
- Coat Dough Balls with Sprinkles: Once the dough is adequately chilled and firm enough to handle, pour your nonpareils (or chosen rainbow sprinkles) into a shallow bowl, ensuring you have enough for thorough coating. Scoop out portions of dough, approximately 1 ½ tablespoons each. A medium spring-loaded cookie scoop works perfectly for creating uniform balls, which ensures even baking. Roll each cookie dough ball thoroughly in the nonpareils until it’s completely coated on all sides, pressing gently to ensure the sprinkles adhere well to the dough.
- Arrange Cookies on Baking Sheets: Carefully place the sprinkle-coated cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart. This spacing is important to allow for proper air circulation and expansion during baking, preventing the cookies from merging together.
- Flatten and Re-chill Second Sheet: Gently flatten each cookie dough ball with the bottom of a measuring cup or a small glass until they are approximately half an inch thick. This helps create a more uniform cookie and ensures even baking throughout. To prevent sticking, you can lightly dip the bottom of your flattening tool in flour. Once flattened, immediately place one baking sheet back into the refrigerator to keep the dough chilled while the first batch bakes.
- Bake the First Batch: Place the first baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes. Cookies may appear slightly under-baked in the center when you first remove them from the oven, but this is perfectly normal. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet. Baking one sheet at a time helps ensure consistent oven temperature and more even baking for all your cookies.
- Cool and Repeat: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This initial cooling on the hot sheet helps them firm up and prevents breakage when moved. While the first batch cools, repeat the baking process with the second chilled baking sheet. Ensure the baking sheet is completely cool before adding new dough if you only have one.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once completely cooled, your homemade sprinkle cookies are ready to be served! Arrange them on a platter and gather your loved ones to delight in these colorful, soft, and fun treats. They are perfect with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.
Tips for Perfect Sprinkle Cookies Every Time
Even though this recipe is straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your baking and ensure consistently perfect sprinkle cookies:
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: This cannot be stressed enough! Ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened to room temperature. This allows them to cream together properly with the sugar, creating a smooth, emulsified dough that will yield tender cookies. Cold ingredients won’t mix evenly, leading to lumpy dough and inconsistent texture.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix just until combined and no streaks of dry flour remain. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft, chewy ones.
- Use a Cookie Scoop for Uniformity: For professional-looking cookies that bake evenly, use a cookie scoop to portion out your dough. This ensures all your cookies are roughly the same size, promoting consistent baking across the entire batch.
- Chilling is Critical (Again!): Do not skip the chilling step! It’s the single most important secret to thick, chewy cookies that don’t spread into flat disks. Cold dough holds its shape better in the oven.
- Monitor Your Oven Temperature: Every oven is slightly different. It’s a good idea to invest in an oven thermometer to ensure your oven is truly at 350°F (175°C). Keep a close eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of baking. They should be lightly golden at the edges but still appear soft and slightly under-baked in the center.
- Get Creative with Sprinkles: While nonpareils are classic, feel free to experiment with different types of sprinkles for various holidays or occasions. Jimmie sprinkles, confetti sprinkles, or even seasonal mixes can add a unique visual and textual touch, making these cookies adaptable for any event.
Looking for More Delicious Cookie Recipes?
If you’ve enjoyed these delightful sprinkle cookies, you’ll surely love exploring more of our tempting cookie creations. From rich chocolate delights to light and fruity treats, we have a recipe for every craving and occasion:
- Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread Cookies
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Cookies
- Mini Shortbread Cookies
- Circus Animal Cookies
- Cherry Blossom Cookies
- Subway Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies
- No-Bake Preacher Cookies
- No-Bake Avalanche Cookies
- Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sprinkle Cookies Recipe Card
These easy homemade Sprinkle Cookies are flavorful, colorful, and a deliciously fun cookie recipe that delights even the pickiest cookie eater! Perfect for parties, holidays, or a cheerful everyday treat.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour (minimum)
Total Time: Approximately 1 hour 25 minutes
Yield: About 35 cookies
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Print Recipe | Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup nonpareils (small sprinkles)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Cream Wet Ingredients: In an electric stand mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and softened cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg & Vanilla: Mix in the large egg and vanilla extract until just combined.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be sticky.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.
- Prepare Sprinkles & Scoop Dough: Place nonpareils in a shallow bowl. Scoop dough into 1 ½ tablespoon balls (using a medium spring-loaded cookie scoop is recommended).
- Coat Cookies: Roll each dough ball into the nonpareils until thoroughly coated.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the coated cookie dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Flatten & Chill Second Sheet: Gently flatten each cookie with the bottom of a measuring cup or small glass until about ½ inch thick. Place one baking sheet into the fridge to keep chilled.
- Bake First Batch: Bake the first sheet of cookies for 10-12 minutes. Cookies may appear slightly under-baked but will set upon cooling.
- Even Baking Tip: Baking one cookie sheet at a time helps ensure more even baking results.
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Repeat Baking: Continue with baking the second sheet of chilled cookies.
- Serve: Enjoy your delicious homemade sprinkle cookies!
Recipe Notes
- Chilling the dough for at least an hour is essential for the best cookie texture and to prevent spreading.
- Rainbow sprinkles can be used as an alternative to nonpareils for a different visual effect.
- Baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight freezer bag for up to 3 months. Defrost on the countertop before serving.
- This recipe can easily be doubled if you need a larger batch for parties or events.
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are truly softened (not melted) for optimal mixing and a smooth dough.
- If using unsalted butter, add about ½ teaspoon of salt to the dry ingredients to balance the flavors.
Nutrition Information (Estimated)
Calories: 128 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 69mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g
Nutritional Disclaimer
This nutritional information is an estimate based on available data and common ingredients and may vary significantly. Factors such as specific brands, exact measurements, and optional additions can alter the values. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we highly recommend calculating them independently based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use for the most accurate results.
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Recipe adapted from: Cooking Classy