Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies: A Festive Holiday Delight

Introduction

When the holiday season rolls around, few things are more heartwarming than a batch of freshly baked Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies. These festive treats are not only delicious but bring a burst of color and joy to your holiday spread. With their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, and the crunch of vibrant sprinkles on top, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for every holiday gathering. Whether you’re baking for a family Christmas dinner, a cookie exchange, or just to fill the house with that wonderful holiday scent, Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are sure to be the star of the show.

There’s something truly special about the soft, buttery texture of these cookies. The addition of sprinkles, in cheerful red, green, and white, adds a fun and festive touch that makes them perfect for holiday celebrations. Not only do these cookies taste amazing, but they also add a touch of holiday magic to any cookie platter or gift box.

I first tried these cookies when I was looking for a new holiday treat to try, and they instantly became a favorite in our household. The combination of their soft, pillowy texture with the sweet crunch of colorful sprinkles creates a delightful contrast in every bite. Plus, the ease of preparation and the joy they bring make these cookies a must-have during the holiday season.

Let’s dive into why you’ll love these cookies, how to make them, and some variations to make them your own!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and Tender Texture: The secret to these cookies’ success is their soft and chewy texture. They’re not too crunchy, and they melt in your mouth!
• Easy to Make: With just a handful of simple ingredients, these cookies are quick to prepare and bake, making them perfect for last-minute holiday baking.
• Festive and Fun: The colorful sprinkles bring a fun pop of color to the cookies, making them perfect for any holiday gathering or cookie exchange.
• Customizable: While the sprinkles add a beautiful touch, you can also play with different colors and combinations, or even try adding your favorite holiday flavorings.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies make a great gift or addition to a cookie platter, as they are visually appealing and delicious to taste.

Preparation Time and Servings

• Total Time: 1 hour (including chilling time)
• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Chill time: 30 minutes
• Bake time: 10-12 minutes per batch
• Servings: Makes about 24 cookies (depending on the size)
• Nutrition Facts (per serving):
• Calories: 160
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 22g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 1g

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of the dough, providing structure.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors.
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and helps create a tender cookie.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and adds a light crispness to the edges.
• 1 large egg: Helps bind the dough and adds moisture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds depth to the flavor of the dough.
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: Adds a lovely, subtle flavor that pairs beautifully with the vanilla.
• 1/4 cup sprinkles (red, green, and white): The colorful topping that makes these cookies festive.
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the dough): Gives the cookies a soft, slightly powdered coating.

Step-by-Step Instructions

STEP 1: PREHEAT THE OVEN

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures that the cookies bake evenly and get that perfect soft, golden-brown edge while maintaining a soft center.

STEP 2: MIX THE DRY INGREDIENTS

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the bowl aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.

STEP 3: CREAM THE BUTTER AND SUGAR

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer or stand mixer. Start at a low speed and gradually increase to medium-high speed, beating the mixture for about 2-3 minutes. The goal is to achieve a light, fluffy texture. The butter and sugar should look pale and creamy, indicating they’re well combined.

STEP 4: ADD THE EGG AND EXTRACTS

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully incorporated. Add the almond extract and continue to mix. The almond extract adds a delightful flavor that complements the vanilla and butter, giving the cookies a rich, aromatic taste.

STEP 5: INCORPORATE THE DRY INGREDIENTS

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Start mixing on low speed to avoid a flour cloud, and then increase to medium speed once most of the flour is incorporated. Mix until the dough is fully combined. It should be soft, smooth, and slightly sticky, but not overly wet.

STEP 6: CHILL THE COOKIE DOUGH

To ensure the cookies maintain their shape and don’t spread too much while baking, wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and roll into balls.

STEP 7: ROLL THE DOUGH INTO BALLS

Once the dough has chilled, take a tablespoon-sized portion of dough and roll it into a ball using your hands. Once rolled, dip each dough ball into powdered sugar, coating it lightly. This step gives the cookies a soft, slightly powdered appearance and helps them bake evenly.

STEP 8: ADD THE SPRINKLES

After rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar, roll them in the colorful holiday sprinkles. Make sure each ball is fully coated, as the sprinkles will add a festive touch and a bit of crunch to the cookies. You can use red, green, white, or even a mix of all three colors.

STEP 9: PLACE ON BAKING SHEET

Arrange the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This allows the cookies to spread slightly while baking without touching each other.

STEP 10: BAKE THE COOKIES

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for about 10-12 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden, and the center should be soft but set. Don’t overbake them, as they will firm up as they cool. If you want an extra-soft cookie, bake them for just 10 minutes, but if you like a slightly firmer texture, you can bake them for 12 minutes.

STEP 11: COOL AND SERVE

Once the cookies are baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes. This helps the cookies set, preventing them from falling apart when you move them. After they’ve cooled slightly, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

These Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed. Serve them on a festive platter, gift them in a holiday tin, or enjoy them with a hot cup of cocoa.

How to Serve

Serve with Hot Cocoa: These soft cookies pair perfectly with a warm cup of cocoa or hot chocolate. The sweetness of the cookies complements the rich flavors of the cocoa.

Add to a Cookie Platter: These cookies make a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie platter, adding a pop of color and a fun, festive look to the mix.

Gift-Giving: Pack these cookies into a holiday-themed tin or box for a thoughtful, homemade gift. The vibrant sprinkles make them an eye-catching treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Make a Cookie Sandwich: For an extra special treat, you can make cookie sandwiches by spreading a little frosting or Nutella between two cookies. This adds an extra layer of sweetness and richness to every bite.

Additional Tips

1. Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the chilling step! Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much during baking. It also helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll into smooth balls.
2. Use Room Temperature Butter: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before you begin mixing. This helps it cream better with the sugar and creates a smoother, fluffier dough.
3. Don’t Overbake: The key to soft cookies is not overbaking them. The cookies will continue to cook slightly as they cool, so don’t wait until they’re completely golden brown before removing them from the oven.
4. Customize the Sprinkles: You can change up the color scheme of the sprinkles to suit your holiday theme. Red, green, and white are classic Christmas colors, but you could also use pastel sprinkles for an Easter version or colorful sprinkles for a birthday party.
5. Use a Cookie Scoop: For uniform-sized cookies, a cookie scoop is a handy tool. It ensures each dough ball is the same size, which helps the cookies bake evenly.

Recipe Variations

• Add Chocolate Chips: If you love chocolate, add a handful of mini chocolate chips to the dough for an extra layer of flavor.
• Try Different Extracts: You can substitute the almond extract with peppermint or orange extract for a fun twist on the traditional flavor.
• Coconut Variation: Roll the cookies in shredded coconut before baking for a tropical, chewy texture.
• Make Them Gluten-Free: To make gluten-free Christmas sprinkle cookies, swap the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. The cookies will stay soft and fresh.
• Freezing: If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, freeze the dough balls before baking. Arrange the dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, bake straight from frozen—just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
• Reheating: To enjoy warm cookies, you can reheat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm them in a low oven for a few minutes.

FAQ Section

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough balls for later baking.

Can I use a different type of sprinkle?
Absolutely! You can use any type of sprinkles that you like. Red, green, and white are perfect for Christmas, but you can switch it up for different holidays or events.

Why are my cookies spreading too much?
If your cookies are spreading too much, it may be because the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. Make sure to refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading.

Can I substitute the butter with margarine?
While margarine can be used as a substitute, it may result in a slightly different texture. Butter adds richness and flavor, so using margarine may slightly change the final outcome.

Conclusion

Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are the perfect holiday treat to share with friends, family, or neighbors. With their soft texture, bright sprinkles, and delicious flavor, these cookies are sure to bring joy to everyone who bites into them. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, or just to fill your home with the smells of the season, this cookie recipe is an easy, fun, and festive way to celebrate the holidays.

So go ahead—get your baking supplies ready, put on your holiday playlist, and start baking these delightful cookies today. You’ll be glad you did! Happy holidays and happy baking!

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