Jolly Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe: Festive Fun

Magical christmas cookies with sprinkles dance across my childhood memories like festive confetti.

Grandma’s kitchen always smelled sweet during holiday baking marathons.

Little hands would carefully roll dough and sprinkle colorful sugar crystals everywhere.

Memories of laughter and sticky fingers flooding back remind me how special these treats can be.

Baking becomes a celebration of connection and joy when you share these delightful morsels.

Decorated with love and whimsy, these cookies promise to brighten any gathering.

Grab your apron and let the sweet magic begin!

Sprinkle-Filled Dough in Christmas Cookies

• Butter, Shortening: Provide rich, creamy texture and help cookies spread smoothly. Unsalted butter works best for consistent flavor.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior. Granulated white sugar recommended.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture. Fresh, room-temperature eggs work best.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract preferred over imitation.
• Instant Pudding Mix: Adds moisture and helps create soft, tender cookies. Vanilla flavor works well.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundational texture for cookies. Sift for smoother dough.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light. Fresh baking powder ensures best results.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor. Use fine table salt.

• Sprinkles: Adds festive color and fun texture. Holiday or festive-colored sprinkles recommended for Christmas theme.

Bake Christmas Cookies With Sprinkles Step-By-Step

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F.

Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

• Softened butter
• Shortening
• Granulated sugar

Whip these ingredients until they’re light, fluffy, and looking like a dreamy cloud.

Step 3: Add Moisture and Flavor

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Instant pudding mix

Beat until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 4: Create the Dry Foundation

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly incorporate these into your wet mixture, stirring between each addition.

Step 5: Roll and Decorate

Pour colorful sprinkles into a shallow bowl.

Scoop cookie dough and roll into perfect little balls.

Give each ball a delightful sprinkle bath, coating them completely.

Place these sparkly gems on your prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center.

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Cookie Tips With Holiday Sprinkle Charm

• Choose vibrant, high-quality sprinkles that won't bleed color during baking for the most festive look.
• Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and create more defined cookie shapes.
• Use instant pudding mix to add extra moisture and softness, ensuring a tender cookie texture that stays fresh longer.
• Roll dough balls gently in sprinkles, applying light pressure to help them stick without crushing the delicate cookie surface.
• Let cookies cool completely on the rack to maintain their crisp edges and prevent sogginess from trapped steam.

Christmas Sprinkle Cookies: Store Without Losing Crunch

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze flat for up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to maintain sprinkle coating.
• Remove cookies from freezer and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture and sprinkle decoration.
• Warm cookies briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes if you prefer a soft, freshly baked texture. Check frequently to prevent overcooking.

What Works With Sprinkle Cookies

• Festive Milk Pairing: Enjoy these sprinkle-coated Christmas cookies with cold, creamy whole milk for a classic childhood treat that brings instant nostalgia and comfort.
• Holiday Cocoa Companion: Serve warm hot chocolate alongside these sweet cookies, letting the rich chocolate complement the buttery, sugary sprinkle-covered delights for a perfect winter indulgence.
• Sparkling Beverage Match: Pair with chilled champagne or prosecco for an elegant adult twist, where the bubbly drink's lightness balances the cookie's rich, sweet texture.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Select a sweet dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti, whose gentle sweetness and light effervescence will beautifully enhance the playful sprinkle cookies.

Christmas Cookie Flavors with Festive Sprinkles

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, ensuring the same soft texture and delicious flavor for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap butter and eggs with coconut oil and flax eggs, creating a plant-based cookie that maintains the classic sprinkle-covered look.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while keeping the festive cookie experience intact.
• Chocolate Chip Spin: Mix in mini chocolate chips alongside the sprinkles for an extra layer of sweetness and texture in the classic Christmas cookie recipe.

FAQs

• Do professional bakers recommend using instant pudding mix in cookies?

Instant pudding mix adds moisture, softness, and helps cookies stay fresh longer. It creates a tender texture and enhances the cookie’s overall flavor profile.

• Can I make these cookies without a mixer?

While a mixer helps create a smoother, more consistent dough, you can use a wooden spoon and mix by hand. Just ensure the butter and sugar are thoroughly creamed together for the best results.

• How do I prevent my sprinkles from falling off the cookies?

Roll the cookie dough ball in sprinkles immediately before baking. Press gently to help sprinkles adhere. Using slightly sticky dough helps sprinkles stick better during the baking process.

• What type of sprinkles work best for this recipe?

Nonpareils or classic round sprinkles work great. Avoid large, chunky sprinkles as they might not stick as well or could burn during baking. Holiday-themed or colorful sprinkles add extra festive flair.

Sprinkle Christmas Cookies With Built-In Celebration

• Effortless Holiday Baking: Perfect for busy home bakers who want delicious treats without complicated steps.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating: Rolling cookies in colorful sprinkles becomes a fun activity for children, transforming baking into a memorable family experience.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Soft, buttery cookies with a festive look work wonderfully for Christmas parties, school events, or casual family dessert time.

Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe

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4.6 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet memories of childhood come alive with these festive Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles, sparkling with holiday cheer. Colorful and playful, these treats invite celebration and joy for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 3.4 ounces (96 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 3/4 cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

Fat and Binding Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup shortening

Flavor and Finishing Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Christmas sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a clean workspace for cookie production.
2. Utilize a mixer to blend butter, shortening, and sugar, transforming the mixture into a light, airy consistency through thorough blending for 4-5 minutes.
3. Introduce eggs, vanilla extract, and instant pudding mix into the creamed base, integrating these elements to enhance flavor and texture.
4. Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt, then methodically incorporate this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, ensuring even distribution.
5. Prepare a shallow dish with colorful sprinkles for coating. Craft uniform dough balls using a cookie scoop, then roll each sphere generously in the sprinkle mixture to create a festive exterior.
6. Arrange sprinkle-coated dough balls on prepared sheets, maintaining adequate spacing to allow for potential spreading during baking.
7. Position cookies in the preheated oven, monitoring for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown and centers appear set.
8. After removing from oven, allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize their structure, then transfer to a cooling rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

• Choose room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more evenly mixed dough that blends perfectly.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and maintain cookie shape during baking.
• Use gel food coloring in sprinkles for more vibrant, intense color that doesn’t fade during baking.
• Experiment with different pudding mix flavors like vanilla, cheesecake, or white chocolate to create unique cookie variations that surprise your taste buds.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 156
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 66 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg