Description
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are festive, buttery treats that are soft and sweet, perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are often made with a simple, vanilla-infused dough that provides a light, delicate base for a generous coating of colorful sprinkles. The dough is either rolled into balls or cut into fun shapes like stars, trees, or candy canes, then rolled in a festive mix of red, green, and white sprinkles before baking. The sprinkles give the cookies a fun crunch and a burst of color, making them both eye-catching and delicious. These cookies are a classic holiday favorite, easy to make, and perfect for family gatherings or cookie exchanges.
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.
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.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Baking and Chilling Time: Chill time: 30 minutes | Bake time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Nutrition
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 2g