Christmas Sprinkle Cookies made with a buttery brown sugar sugar cookie dough, rolled in festive holiday sprinkles!
You are going to love making these Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles with your kids this year! Bring them to holiday parties to share with family and friends. They’re easy to make, sweet, and have a crunch from the sprinkles, making them not just fun & festive, but also crave-worthy!
Sprinkle Cookies Ingredients
Butter: Use ½ cup unsalted butter, softened, in this recipe. Be sure to have it softened to room temperature before creaming together with the sugar and vanilla.
Sugar: You need ¾ cup light brown sugar. Only light brown sugar has been tested with this recipe. White sugar might not work, as it has less moisture than brown sugar.
Extract: 1 tsp vanilla extract brings warmth and depth to the dough, rounding out the buttery and brown sugar notes.
Flour: Give the cookies structure and stability by adding 1 ¼ cup flour. The proteins in flour form gluten when mixed, which holds the cookie together while still allowing for a tender texture.
Leavening agents: Using 1 tsp baking powder and ½ tsp baking soda help the cookies rise and spread slightly as they bake. Baking soda also helps with browning, giving the cookies a light golden color.
Salt: ¼ tsp regular table salt is used, do NOT use salted butter in this recipe.
Sprinkles: Use Christmas theme sprinkles, or other holiday themed sprinkles for other times of the year.
Tips for making Christmas Sugar Cookies
- Use softened butter, not melted. Softened butter creams more easily with the sugar, giving your cookies the perfect light and chewy texture. If the butter is too soft or melted, the cookies may spread too much in the oven.
- Use a cookie scoop for even portions. A cookie scoop ensures all your cookies are the same size, so they bake evenly and look picture-perfect—plus, it makes the process faster and less messy!
- Rolling dough in the sprinkles. Gently roll the cookie dough into the sprinkles and be sure to shake off excess sprinkles before placing back on the baking sheets. If you accidentally coat the cookies in too many sprinkles then you will need to use more sprinkles.
How long are these Sprinkle Sugar Cookies good for?
These cookies stay fresh for about 5–6 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep them in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight—layering them between sheets of parchment paper helps prevent the sprinkles from bleeding or sticking.
For longer storage, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
How will I know when these are done?
The first batch may take longer than the rest, but should take no longer than 12 minutes. You may be able to see some goldening on the bottom of the cookies when done, otherwise, simply bake for 10-12 minutes and let cool on the baking sheet for another 5 or so minutes when done.
Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?
You can, but the texture and flavor will change slightly. Brown sugar adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor that keeps the cookies soft and chewy. Using white sugar will make them a bit crisper and lighter in flavor.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if the butter was too soft or melted, or if the dough wasn’t chilled before baking. Try chilling the dough for 10–15 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. If frozen, bake the dough balls straight from the freezer—just add 1–2 extra minutes to the baking time.
Enjoy more of our favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes here:
- Classic Holiday Butter Cookies are tender, buttery shortbread treats coated in chocolate and festive sprinkles. With their delicate texture and rich flavor, they’re a must-have for any holiday cookie tray!
- These Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are everything you love about the holidays—warm, cozy, and full of classic spice. Perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or enjoying fresh from the oven!
- Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are filled with smooth chocolate fudge and sprinkled with crushed candy canes for a festive holiday touch. Every bite is a perfect mix of chocolatey indulgence and refreshing peppermint crunch!
- Our festive Christmas Snowball Cookies are easy to make and perfect for holiday cookie trays or gift exchanges. They’re melt-in-your-mouth delicious!
- Loaded with sweet white chocolate chips and a hint of peppermint, Peppermint White Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect treat for Santa!
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are soft, sweet, and loaded with festive holiday sprinkles for a fun, colorful treat. Perfect for baking with kids or sharing at holiday parties!
Leave a Reply