Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

There’s something truly magical about baking during the holidays, especially when it involves bright colors, sweet sprinkles, and the warm, buttery aroma of freshly baked cookies. This Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe has become one of my go-to treats for holiday gatherings because it’s simple, fun, and always a hit with everyone. Whether you’re baking solo on a quiet afternoon or gathering the kids around the kitchen island, these cookies bring that cheerful festive spirit right to your table.

I love how this recipe combines a sugar cookie mix with cream cheese to keep the cookies soft and tender, but the real star? Those Christmas sprinkles that bring every bite to life with color and crunch. The Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe works perfectly for cookie exchanges, last-minute holiday parties, or just because you feel like adding a little extra holiday joy to your day. Trust me, once you try this, it will be your seasonal favorite too!

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together effortlessly, making the dough rich, flavorful, and super easy to handle. Keep your sprinkles colorful and fresh, and remember that softened cream cheese and butter help the texture shine through beautifully.

• Sugar cookie mix: I like to pick a quality mix with minimal ingredients for a clean flavor.
• Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds amazing moisture and a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
• Salted butter: Use softened butter so it blends smoothly into the dough.
• Large egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the dough structure.
• Red food coloring: Just a drop or two for vibrant, festive cookies.
• Green food coloring: Same as red — use sparingly to keep colors bright and pretty.
• Christmas sprinkles: I recommend a mix of shapes and colors to really make these cookies pop.

Variations

I’ve found that personalizing this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe makes baking even more joyful. Don’t hesitate to play around with colors or swap out sprinkles based on your holiday theme.

• Variation: I’ve made batches using red and white swirled dough instead of red and green, which looked amazing and matched my kitchen’s decor perfectly.
• Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free sugar cookie mix — I’ve done this for friends with no difference in texture or taste.
• Vegan version: Try a dairy-free cream cheese substitute and use vegan butter; it’s a bit of an experiment but worth it for plant-based diets.

How to Make Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dough

Start by combining the sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, butter, and egg in a large bowl. I like using a stand mixer on low speed, but a sturdy spoon or your hands work fine too. Mix until you get a smooth dough with no lumps—that’s key! If it feels sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up. This step is crucial because the cream cheese makes the dough softer than typical sugar cookie dough.

Step 2: Divide and Color the Dough

Split the dough evenly into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other, kneading gently to spread the color throughout. Pro tip: Add a tiny bit at a time, as food coloring can get intense quickly. I always start with one drop and mix before adding more. When colors are uniform, you’re good to go!

Step 3: Form and Coat the Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls or whatever size you prefer. Then, roll each ball in the Christmas sprinkles until fully coated. Don’t be shy here – a thick layer of sprinkles makes the cookies truly festive and adds a delightful crunch. Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper will save you some cleanup time, trust me.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch the cookies closely so they don’t overbake — you want slightly golden edges but a soft center. The baking process firms up the dough and melts the sprinkles slightly, which gives them that irresistible texture. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with extra sprinkles on top before baking, but for extra sparkle, dust a little powdered sugar over the cooled cookies. Sometimes, a drizzle of white chocolate adds a lovely sweet touch without overpowering.

Side Dishes

These cookies go hand-in-hand with classic holiday beverages like hot cocoa, eggnog, or even a spiced chai latte. If you’re serving a party, pairing them with a cheese platter or fruit salad can balance the sweetness and impress your guests.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive party, I love stacking these cookies in a clear glass jar with a ribbon tied around it. Another time, I arranged them on a holiday-themed platter intertwined with pine sprigs and mini ornaments – it made the table pop! You can also create cookie gift bags or boxes, which friends and family adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover sprinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and flavorful for up to a week — if they last that long! For maximum freshness, layering parchment paper between layers keeps sprinkles intact and prevents sticking.

Freezing

I’ve frozen both baked cookies and shaped dough balls. When freezing dough, arrange balls on a tray, freeze until solid, then bag them for future baking. This way, you can pull out just what you need and bake fresh cookies anytime—holiday magic on-demand!

Reheating

To revive cookies, I pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that soft, fresh-baked chewiness without drying them out. Just be careful not to overheat — these cookies love being slightly warm and tender.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe always brings a little extra happiness into my kitchen, and I’m confident it will brighten your holiday season too. It’s simple, joyful, and full of that classic cookie goodness with a colorful twist that kids and adults alike adore. Give it a try and watch how these cheerful little treats bring smiles around your table — baking friend to friend, this one’s a keeper you’ll want to return to year after year.

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