Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are a classic cookie recipe, perfect for holiday celebrations! They’re delicious, simple to make, and everyone loves these festive cookies, so why not make some this holiday season?
With this easy no chill recipe, you can make soft cookies with a chewy center covered in colorful sprinkles. These soft, buttery sugar cookies are made from simple ingredients making this a low-effort recipe that can simplify your holiday baking.
And if you want to create an entire Christmas cookie tray full of cookies, you can use this same basic dough to make 4 different cookie recipes! Keep reading to make sprinkle cookies, or learn to make 4 Christmas cookies from one dough.
Looking for more Christmas cookie ideas? Try Oreo Reindeer, Ruby Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Italian Ricotta Cookies!
🧈Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
Shortening and Butter – A combination of butter and shortening gives these a soft texture.
Instant Vanilla Pudding – The pudding adds flavor and also helps make these moist and chewy. You don’t make the pudding. Just add the powder to the dough.
Sprinkles – I used classic sprinkles, also called jimmies. Nonpareils work well, too, although they will give the cookies a crunchier outside layer. Colored sparkling sugar is another option.
The remaining dough ingredients are baking staples, including
- sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- flour
- baking powder
- salt
🥣How to Make Sprinkle Cookies
- Mix the Wet Ingredients – Use an electric stand mixer to make the sugar cookie dough. Mix the butter, shortening and sugar on medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Then add the eggs, vanilla and instant pudding.
- Add the Dry Ingredients – Mix the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add to the wet ingredient about one third at a time until it is all combined.
- Scoop – Use a medium cookie scoop to make cookie dough balls about 1 1/2 tablespoons in size.
- Roll – Put the sprinkles in a shallow bowl. Roll the dough balls in sprinkles, covering them completely.
- Add to Baking Sheet – Put the balls on baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Keep them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake – Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 12-15 minutes, making sure not to overbake. Pull them out when the edges start to brown, and the middle just looks set.
- Cool – Let them cool on the cookie sheets for about 5 minutes. Then place on a wire rack.
💭How to Store
Store the baked sprinkle cookies in an airtight container for 5-7 days. These also freeze well. Package them in a freezer container, separated by layers of parchment paper. They will keep for 2 months in the freezer.
✔️Make the Dough Ahead of Time
This is excellent cookie dough to make ahead of time! It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Or freeze the dough for up to 2 months before baking. If frozen, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Take the dough out of the fridge for about 30 minutes before rolling and baking the cookies. If the dough is too cold, it will not spread, so let it come to room temperature before baking.
🎄One Dough, 4 Cookies
This dough can be used to make a bunch of cookie recipes! You can create a colorful Christmas cookie tray from just this basic dough! Divide it in half or into fourths and start baking. The other delicious cookies are:
⭐Tips for Making the Best Sprinkle Cookies
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- These are soft sugar cookies. So be careful not to overbake them.
- Don’t skimp on the sprinkles. Use lots and lots to completely cover the sprinkle cookies.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat on the cookie sheets.
- Use seasonal sprinkles, like red, white, and blue, for the 4th of July or rainbow sprinkles for a birthday party.
- To add more Christmas flavor, replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract.
Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!
Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cups unsalted butter softened
- ¼ cup shortening
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup red, green and white spirnkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Beat the butter, shortening, and sugar with an electric mixer for 3 minutes until soft and creamy.¾ cups unsalted butter, ¼ cup shortening, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- Add the eggs, vanilla, and instant pudding mix to the mixing bowl. Continue mixing until completely combined.2 eggs, 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 box instant vanilla pudding
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt.2 ½ cups flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture a little at a time. Mix between additions until all the flour is incorporated.
- Place the sprinkles on a plate or shallow bowl.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out tablespoons of dough. Roll the dough into balls.
- Put the cookie dough ball on the plate of sprinkles and roll it around, pressing lightly until the ball is covered in the jimmies.
- Put on the prepared baking sheet leaving about 2 inches between the cookies.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes. They are done when light golden brown around the edges and the middle is set.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Don’t overbake these.
- Don’t skimp on the sprinkles. Use lots and lots to completely cover the dough balls.
- Use seasonal sprinkles, like red for Valentine’s Day or rainbow sprinkles for a birthday party.
- To add more Christmas flavor, replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
