There’s just something magical about pulling a batch of warm, beautifully decorated cookies out of the oven, isn’t there? And when it comes to pure, unadulterated joy on a plate, my Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are always the star! These aren’t just any sugar cookies; they’re my go-to for birthdays, holidays, or just a Tuesday that needs a little sparkle. The best part? They taste as good as they look and are surprisingly easy to whip up. I remember making these with my niece last Christmas, and the sheer delight on her face as she pressed colorful sprinkles into the dough was priceless. They bake up soft and tender with just the right amount of sweetness, making them the perfect canvas for all that festive fun.
Why You’ll Love These Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Seriously, what’s not to adore about these little gems? They’re:
- Super Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to baking, you can totally nail these.
- Deliciously Simple: A perfect balance of sweet, buttery goodness.
- So Versatile: Dress them up for any holiday or occasion!
- So Much Fun to Decorate: Kids and adults alike will have a blast adding all those sprinkles. They’re a guaranteed smile-maker!
Gather Your Ingredients for Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Alright, let’s get our game faces on and gather everything we need for these ridiculously cheerful Sprinkle Sugar Cookies. Having your ingredients prepped and measured makes the whole process so much smoother, trust me!
- 1 cup unsalted butter, make sure it’s softened – like, really soft!
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature is best
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – use the good stuff!
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles – or whatever fun sprinkles you adore!
Essential Equipment for Baking Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Before we dive into the fun part, let’s make sure you’ve got your baking toolkit ready! Having the right gear makes all the difference. You’ll want:
- A couple of mixing bowls (one big one, one medium)
- An electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease!
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters in your favorite shapes
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper (this is a lifesaver for clean-up!)
- A wire cooling rack
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Alright, ready to get your hands a little floury and make some magic happen? Following these steps will get you those perfect Sprinkle Sugar Cookies in no time. Don’t worry, it’s really straightforward, and the results are so, so worth it! For more tips on getting perfect cookies every time, check out my baking tips page!
Preparing the Sprinkle Sugar Cookie Dough
First things first, let’s get that gorgeous dough ready. In a big bowl, cream that softened butter and granulated sugar together. You want it super light and fluffy, almost like a cloud – about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer should do the trick. Now, beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure each one is mixed in before adding the next. A nice splash of vanilla extract goes in next. In a separate, medium bowl, give your flour, baking powder, and salt a little whisk together. Now, here’s the rhythm: add about a third of your dry stuff to the butter mixture, mix it a bit, then add half of the milk, mix again. Keep going back and forth, alternating until everything is just combined – start and end with the Dry ingredients! Finally, gently fold in those happy little rainbow sprinkles until they’re just distributed. No overmixing here! Wrap that beautiful dough up in some plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour. This makes it SO much easier to handle later.
Shaping and Baking Your Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Okay, dough is chilled, and the oven is preheated to 350°F (175°C), right? Line your baking sheets with parchment paper – seriously, it’s a game-changer for cleanup! On a lightly floured surface, roll out your chilled dough to about a quarter-inch thickness. Now for the fun part: grab your cookie cutters and go wild! Gather up the scraps, give them a gentle re-roll (don’t overwork it!), and cut out more shapes until you’ve used up all the dough. Place your cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between them. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden. They might look a tiny bit soft in the center, but they’ll firm up as they cool.
Cooling and Finishing the Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Once they’re out of the oven, let those beautiful cookies hang out on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This lets them set up a bit so they don’t fall apart when you move them. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can always add a few more sprinkles while they’re still warm, or maybe even a little drizzle of frosting once they’re totally cool. But honestly, they are absolutely perfect just as they are!
Tips for Perfect Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Okay, let’s get these cookies absolutely perfect, shall we?
Achieving the Right Texture for Your Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
So, you want them soft and chewy, or nice and crisp? It’s all about the bake time! For super soft cookies, pull them out when the edges are just *barely* starting to look golden. If you like them crispier, let them bake a minute or two longer. Honestly, they smell amazing, so use your nose too! A little golden edge is your sign they’re ready for cooling.
Flavor Variations for Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
While these cookies are totally divine as is, you can totally sneak in a little twist if you’re feeling adventurous! My favorite little secret is adding about half a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla. It gives them a subtle, lovely depth that pairs so well with the sweet sprinkles. You could also try a tiny bit of lemon zest for a brighter flavor. Get creative!
Storing and Reheating Your Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Got leftovers? Lucky you! These Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are best stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Honestly, they’ll stay wonderfully fresh for a good 3-4 days, but I doubt they’ll last that long! Just make sure you don’t crowd them too much, or the sprinkles might get smushed. Reheating? Nah, these are perfect just as they are, even cold from the container. But if you absolutely must, a few seconds in a warm oven might do the trick, though I’ve never found it necessary!
Frequently Asked Questions about Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Got some burning questions about making these sprinkle-tastic cookies? I’ve got you covered! Here are some common things people ask, and my best advice to help you out.
Can I make these Sprinkle Sugar Cookies ahead of time?
Oh, absolutely! Make the dough, wrap it up, and chill it for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out for about 15-20 minutes to soften up a bit before rolling. They’re also great baked and stored, so you can totally get ahead of your baking!
What kind of sprinkles work best for these cookies?
For the best pop of color and fun, I really love using rainbow nonpareils or jimmies. They hold their shape and color really well when baked. You can totally go wild with other kinds too, but just be aware that some larger or more delicate sprinkles might melt or change color slightly in the oven. So for the *best* visual kick, classic rainbow jimmies are my go-to!
Why are my Sprinkle Sugar Cookies spreading too much?
Hmmm, spreading can happen! Usually, it’s because the butter was too soft when you started creaming, or maybe you overmixed the dough. Another culprit could be using too much sugar or not enough flour. Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and try to chill the dough for the full hour (or even a bit longer!). If they still spread a lot, you might want to check out my sugar cookie troubleshooting guide for more in-depth tips!
Nutritional Information for Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Just so you know, the nutritional details for these yummy Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are estimates, as things can change based on exactly what you put in or how you bake them. But generally, you’re looking at around 150 calories per cookie, with about 7g of fat and 20g of carbohydrates. They also offer a little protein and fiber too. Enjoy them guilt-free – or as guilt-free as cookies can be!
Print
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 min
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic sugar cookies decorated with colorful sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Stir in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For softer cookies, bake for a shorter time.
- For crispier cookies, bake for a longer time.
- You can add a touch of almond extract for a different flavor.
- Decorate with additional sprinkles after frosting, if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: sugar cookies, sprinkle cookies, holiday cookies, cutout cookies, simple cookies, baking, dessert