Why You'll Love It
- Soft, tender texture that melts in your mouth
- Perfectly sweet without being overwhelming
- Customizable with any color sprinkles for any occasion
- Great for baking with kids and creating memories
- Keeps well for days in an airtight container
"My grandchildren say these are the best cookies I've ever made. They love picking out their favorite colors from the sprinkles!" - Martha, 68
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creams beautifully with the sugar, creating that light, tender crumb. If it's too cold, your cookies will be dense; too warm and they'll spread too much.
- Granulated sugar: Regular white sugar gives these cookies their classic crisp edges and soft centers. Don't substitute with brown sugar - it will change both the texture and flavor.
- Festive sprinkles: The star of the show! Use jimmies rather than nonpareils as they hold their color better during baking. Mix colors to match whatever holiday or occasion you're celebrating.
- Vanilla extract: Real vanilla makes all the difference here. That warm, comforting flavor pairs perfectly with the butter and sugar base.
- All-purpose flour: Measured properly by spooning into the cup and leveling off. Too much flour makes dry cookies, too little makes them spread too thin.
- Baking powder: Just a teaspoon gives these cookies their slight lift and soft texture. Make sure yours is fresh for best results.
Complete Cooking Process
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Ingredient Readiness:
Having your butter at true room temperature is key - it should yield slightly when pressed but still hold its shape. Cold eggs can cause the butter to seize up, so let those come to room temperature too. Measure your flour correctly by spooning it into the measuring cup rather than scooping.
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Flavor Development:
The creaming of butter and sugar is where the magic starts. Beat them together until pale and fluffy - this incorporates air that helps the cookies rise. The vanilla adds its warm notes here, mingling with the sweet butter base.
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Texture Control:
Adding the flour gradually prevents overmixing, which can develop gluten and make tough cookies. The dough should come together easily but not be sticky. Chilling the dough firms up the butter again, preventing excessive spreading in the oven.
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Finishing Touches:
Rolling the dough balls in extra sprinkles before baking gives that beautiful, jewel-like appearance. Leave space between cookies on the baking sheet - they'll spread just enough to create those perfect round shapes.
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Serving Timing:
These cookies are best enjoyed completely cooled, when the flavors have settled and the texture has set. They're wonderful with a glass of cold milk or as part of a movie night spread.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly
- Don't skip the chilling time - it prevents spreading
- Rotate baking sheets halfway through for even browning
- Cool cookies completely on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring
Pro Tips
I've found that making these cookies becomes a tradition that kids really cherish. My own daughter now makes them with her children, and she says the smell takes her right back to our kitchen when she was little. It's funny how something so simple can hold so many memories. These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges too - they travel well and everyone loves them. I always make a double batch around the holidays because they disappear so quickly. Honestly, they're just as good for a regular Tuesday as they are for a special occasion.
The essence of the dish:
A fun fact or historical angle:
Flavor or sensory focus:
You Must Know
- Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable for the right texture
- Don't overmix the dough after adding flour - mix just until combined
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes for perfectly shaped cookies
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup
Frequently Asked Questions
→ Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 3 months. Baked cookies keep well in an airtight container for about a week.
→ Why did my cookies spread too much?
This usually happens if the butter was too warm or the dough wasn't chilled properly. Also, check that your baking powder is still active.
→ Can I use different types of sprinkles?
Yes, but stick to jimmies rather than nonpareils for best results. Nonpareils can bleed their color during baking.
→ How do I get soft cookies?
Don't overbake them! They should look just set around the edges but still pale in the center when you take them out.
→ Can I double this recipe?
Definitely - it doubles beautifully. Just make sure you have enough baking sheets and rotate them in the oven for even baking.
→ What's the best way to store these?
In an airtight container at room temperature. They actually get softer over the first day, which many people prefer.
Chef's Tips
These cookies freeze beautifully - freeze the baked cookies or the dough balls before baking,For even more flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla,If your cookies are browning too quickly, try baking at 325°F for a few minutes longer,The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated
Nutrition Facts
per serving
140
Calories
2g
Protein
20g
Carbs
6g
Fat
Taste Profile
Classic sweet butter cookie with vanilla notes and colorful sprinkle appeal
Ingredient Substitutions
Don't have an ingredient? Try these alternatives
Use a 1:1 gluten-free blend and add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum if not included
Caster sugar will create a slightly finer texture but works well
Recipe Variations
Try these delicious twists on the original
Lemon Sugar Cookies
Add 2 tablespoons lemon zest and replace vanilla with lemon extract for a bright, citrusy version
Chocolate Chip Version
Replace sprinkles with 1 cup chocolate chips for a classic twist
Holiday Themed
Use red and green sprinkles for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween to complement your Halloween treats
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' mistakes for perfect results
- Using cold butter - results in dense cookies
- Overmixing after adding flour - makes tough cookies
- Skipping chilling time - causes excessive spreading
- Overbaking - results in dry, hard cookies
- Measuring flour incorrectly - affects texture significantly
Meal Prep & Storage
Make Ahead Tips
The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated, or frozen for 3 months. Baked cookies keep well for a week in an airtight container.
Leftover Ideas
Refresh slightly stale cookies by warming in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. Crumble over ice cream or use in trifles.
Perfect Pairings
Serve this with...
Cooking Timeline
Measure and prepare all ingredients, preheat oven
Cream butter and sugar, mix in wet ingredients
Add dry ingredients, mix until just combined
Chill dough in refrigerator
Shape cookies, roll in sugar and sprinkles
Bake cookies in preheated oven
Cool on baking sheet before transferring
Festive Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
These soft, sweet sugar cookies are filled with colorful sprinkles and perfect for holiday baking. They have that tender texture that just melts in your mouth, with a slight crispness around the edges that makes them absolutely irresistible.
Timing
Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
1 Hour (includes chilling)
Recipe Details
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 01 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 02 1 cup granulated sugar
- 03 1 large egg, room temperature
- 04 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 05 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 06 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 07 1/2 teaspoon salt
For Rolling
- 01 1/2 cup festive sprinkles
- 02 Additional 1/4 cup sugar for rolling
Instructions
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together. Don't overmix - stop as soon as no flour streaks remain.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is important for preventing the cookies from spreading too much. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place the 1/2 cup of sprinkles and additional 1/4 cup sugar in separate small bowls. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball first in sugar, then in sprinkles, pressing gently to help them adhere.
Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers still look soft. Rotate the baking sheet halfway through for even baking.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. They'll firm up as they cool. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes & Tips
- 1 These cookies freeze beautifully - freeze the baked cookies or the dough balls before baking
- 2 For even more flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla
- 3 If your cookies are browning too quickly, try baking at 325°F for a few minutes longer
- 4 The dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept refrigerated
Tools You'll Need
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Stand mixer or hand mixer
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Mixing bowls
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Measuring cups and spoons
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Cookie scoop (optional but helpful)
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Baking sheets
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Parchment paper
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Wire cooling rack
Must-Know Tips
- Use real butter - margarine will change the texture and flavor
- Don't skip the creaming step - it's crucial for light cookies
- Chill the dough even if you're in a hurry - it makes all the difference
- Bake one test cookie first to check your oven temperature
Professional Secrets
- Room temperature ingredients ensure even mixing and perfect texture
- Slightly underbaking keeps them soft and tender
- Rolling in sugar before sprinkles helps the colors stick better
- Cooling completely on the sheet prevents breaking
Recipe by
Grace Lawson“Butter, sugar, and a little love — that’s my baking philosophy! Let’s make your kitchen smell amazing.” 🍰❤️
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