Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies – Soft, Festive & Easy Holiday Cookies

Introduction

Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are the ultimate holiday classic—soft, buttery, and rolled in colorful sprinkles that instantly bring Christmas cheer to any kitchen. These cookies are loved for their tender texture, rich vanilla flavor, and festive appearance, making them a must-have during the holiday season. Whether you’re baking for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, school events, or homemade edible gifts, these cookies always steal the spotlight.

What makes these cookies truly special is their simplicity. They don’t require chilling, complicated shaping, or fancy decorating tools. The dough comes together quickly, bakes evenly, and stays soft for days. The sprinkles add both color and a slight crunch, creating a beautiful contrast with the melt-in-your-mouth cookie base.

These Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are perfect for beginner bakers and experienced home bakers alike. They’re easy enough for a cozy baking afternoon and impressive enough to serve on a festive dessert table. Plus, kids absolutely love helping roll the dough balls in sprinkles, making this recipe a wonderful family tradition.

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Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup Christmas sprinkles (jimmies work best)

Preparation
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light, fluffy, and pale in color. This step is essential for creating soft, tender cookies, so take your time and mix for at least 2–3 minutes.

Step 2: Add Egg and Vanilla

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix, as this can make the cookies dense.

Step 4: Roll and Decorate

Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into smooth balls. Roll each dough ball generously in Christmas sprinkles, pressing gently so the sprinkles stick well.

Step 5: Bake

Place the dough balls on a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 9–11 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. Do not overbake.

Variation

Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies: Add 2 tablespoons cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.

Almond Sugar Cookies: Replace vanilla with almond extract for a classic bakery flavor.

Soft Frosted Version: Skip rolling in sprinkles and frost with buttercream after baking.

Red & Green Only: Use themed sprinkles for a more traditional Christmas look.

Cooking Note

For the softest cookies, remove them from the oven while they still look slightly underbaked in the center. They will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet. Using jimmies instead of nonpareils helps prevent color bleeding.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or warm coffee. They look beautiful arranged on a holiday cookie platter alongside gingerbread cookies, shortbread, and chocolate crinkles. They also make wonderful edible gifts when packed in festive tins or cellophane bags.

Tips

Use room-temperature butter for smooth dough.

Do not flatten the dough balls before baking.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper for even baking.

Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft.

For extra softness, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cooking Time

10 minutes

Total Time

25 minutes

Nutritional Information (Approximate per cookie)

Calories: 160

Protein: 2 g

Sodium: 95 mg

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be refrigerated for up to 48 hours. Let it soften slightly before rolling.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if the butter is too warm. Chill the dough for 15 minutes if needed.

Can I freeze these cookies?
Yes, both the baked cookies and the dough balls freeze well for up to 2 months.

What sprinkles work best?
Jimmies are best because they don’t bleed color into the dough.

How do I keep them soft?
Store with a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture.

Conclusion

Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are everything a holiday cookie should be—soft, festive, easy, and irresistibly delicious. With simple ingredients, quick preparation, and joyful colors, they bring warmth and cheer to every Christmas celebration. Whether you’re baking for loved ones or just treating yourself, this recipe guarantees cookies that look beautiful and taste even better. Once you make them, they’ll become a holiday tradition you’ll return to year after year. 🎄🍪