Nothing says “holiday season” quite like the smell of freshly baked Christmas sprinkle cookies wafting through the house. These cheerful little treats became my absolute favorite holiday tradition when I was just knee-high to my grandma’s oven. Every December, she’d clear the kitchen counter and let me go wild with the sprinkles – red and green ones everywhere (including my hair and the floor)! Now I make them with my own kids, and guess what? They’re just as magical.

What I love most about these Christmas sprinkle cookies is how simple they are – basic pantry ingredients transform into edible holiday joy in under 30 minutes. The dough comes together faster than you can sing “Jingle Bells,” and decorating them is half the fun. Whether you’re baking for cookie exchanges, Santa’s plate, or just because everything looks happier with sprinkles, this recipe never fails to spread Christmas cheer.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

These aren’t just any holiday cookies—they’re little bites of Christmas magic. Here’s why they’ve been my go-to for years:

Effortless joy: No fancy techniques here—just butter, sugar, and a whole lot of sprinkles. If you can cream butter, you can make these.
Instant holiday spirit: Those rainbow flecks turn every bite into a celebration. They look like you spent hours decorating (but we’ll keep the easy recipe our little secret).
Buttery perfection: The tender crumb practically melts in your mouth, with just the right amount of sweetness to balance the sprinkles.
Kid-approved fun: Little hands love rolling the dough balls and, let’s be honest, sneaking sprinkles straight from the jar.

Ingredients for Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

One of the best things about these cookies? You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen right now! Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened (leave it out for about 30 minutes before baking)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg (cold from the fridge is fine – we’ll mix it in)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup Christmas sprinkles (the more colorful, the better!)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No unsalted butter? Use salted but skip the extra salt. Margarine works in a pinch, but butter gives that rich flavor we love. For gluten-free, swap in your favorite 1:1 flour blend. Any festive sprinkles work – I’ve used everything from classic red/green mixes to snowflake shapes. Just avoid super-fine sprinkles (they’ll bleed color) and nonpareils (they tend to roll right off the dough!).

How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Alright, let’s turn these simple ingredients into holiday magic! I promise it’s easier than wrapping presents without tape (we’ve all been there). Just follow these steps and you’ll have cheerful sprinkle cookies ready before Santa’s sleigh lands.

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s nice and toasty when your cookies are ready. Now grab your softened butter and sugar – I like to use my stand mixer on medium speed (about number 4 if yours has numbers), but a hand mixer works great too. Beat them together for a good 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns pale yellow and gets wonderfully fluffy. This is where the magic starts – those tiny air pockets we’re creating will give our cookies that perfect tender texture.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

While your mixer’s going, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in another bowl. Here’s my grandma’s trick: sift them through your fingers as you whisk to banish any lumps. This little extra step makes all the difference – no one wants a surprise pocket of baking powder in their cookie! Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture on low speed, just until the flour disappears. The dough should look a bit shaggy at this point – that’s perfect!

Step 3: Fold in Sprinkles

Now for the fun part – the sprinkles! Dump in your half cup of Christmas joy (okay, maybe pour gently so you don’t get a sprinkle explosion). Here’s the key: fold them in with a spatula just until evenly distributed. Overmixing will make your dough turn strange colors from the sprinkles bleeding – trust me, I’ve created some very interesting grey cookies this way! The dough should be stiff enough that the sprinkles stay put when you roll it.

Tips for Perfect Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

After baking these cookies every Christmas for more years than I can count, here are my can’t-live-without secrets:

Chill sticky dough: If your dough feels too soft after mixing (hello, warm kitchen!), pop it in the fridge for 20 minutes. Cold dough = less spreading = perfect round cookies.
Sprinkle strategy: For even color, mix half the sprinkles into the dough and roll the balls in the rest – double the festive crunch!
Parchment is non-negotiable: It prevents sticking AND makes cleanup a breeze. No parchment? Silicone mats work great too.
Better under than over: Pull them when edges just turn golden – they’ll firm up as they cool but stay deliciously soft inside.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

These Christmas sprinkle cookies stay fresh for days – if they last that long! At room temperature, just pop them in an airtight container with a slice of bread (sounds weird, but it keeps them soft!) for up to a week. To freeze, layer them between parchment paper in a freezer bag – they’ll keep their holiday cheer for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when the cookie craving strikes!

Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Nutritional Information

Now, I’m no nutritionist, but I do like knowing what’s in my holiday treats! Keep in mind these numbers are just estimates – your exact counts might vary based on the brands you use (especially those colorful sprinkles – they’re all different!). Here’s the breakdown per cookie:

Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 25mg
Fat: 6g (3.5g saturated, 2g unsaturated)
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Not too bad for a little burst of holiday happiness, right? Though let’s be real – I’ve never stopped at just one! The way I see it, Christmas calories don’t count if they come with sprinkles.

FAQs About Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Can I use different sprinkles?
Absolutely! While traditional Christmas colors are fun, any festive sprinkles work. I’ve made pastel versions for Easter and red/white/blue for Fourth of July. Just avoid super-fine sprinkles (they bleed color) and nonpareils (they roll off). Jimmies or quins hold their shape best and give that satisfying crunch.

How do I prevent cookie spreading?
Three tricks: 1) Make sure your butter is softened, not melted. 2) Chill sticky dough for 20 minutes before baking. 3) Use parchment paper – it helps regulate heat. If they still spread, try adding 2 extra tablespoons of flour next time. My grandma swore by this!

Can the dough be frozen?
Yes! Roll it into balls first, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag. They’ll keep for 3 months. Bake straight from frozen – just add 1-2 extra minutes. Perfect for last-minute holiday guests or sudden cookie emergencies (we’ve all been there!).

Share Your Holiday Creations

I’d love to see your sprinkle cookie masterpieces! Tag me @BakingWithJoy on Instagram so I can ooh and aah over your creations. Nothing makes me happier than seeing families baking together – bonus points if there are sprinkles in someone’s hair!

Magical Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe in 30 Minutes

Author: iyma hernandes
Total Time: 27 mins
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Simple and festive Christmas sprinkle cookies perfect for holiday baking. These buttery cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until combined.
Fold in Christmas sprinkles.
Scoop dough by tablespoons and roll into balls. Place on baking sheets.
Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Notes

Dough can be chilled for 30 minutes if too soft.
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Use any festive sprinkles for different occasions.

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 25mg
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 20mg

Keywords: Christmas cookies, sprinkle cookies, holiday baking, easy cookies