Name: Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup (43 g) cocoa powder; 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (227 g) salted butter, still a bit firm; 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1 egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ½ cup (80 g) rainbow jimmie sprinkles

If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’ve just hit the jackpot. I absolutely adore this Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe because it combines rich, chocolatey flavor with a playful burst of colorful sprinkles. When I first tried baking these, my family went crazy for them — the kind of cookie that disappears almost as soon as they come out of the oven. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so your batch turns out just as perfect as mine.

💚

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deliciously Chocolatey: The cocoa powder gives these cookies a deep chocolate flavor without overpowering sweetness.
Fun, Colorful Sprinkles: Rolling the dough balls in rainbow jimmies adds a festive, eye-catching finish every time.
Simple and Quick: You can whip up these cookies in under 30 minutes — perfect for last-minute treats.
Family Favorite: My kids and friends always ask me to make a double batch because they just can’t get enough.

The image shows several round dark chocolate cookies covered with bright, colorful sprinkles on top. Most cookies are whole, while one cookie is broken into two halves near the center. The cookies rest on a white marbled surface inside a metal baking tray with a dark brown edge. A small white fluted bowl filled with similar colorful sprinkles is also visible near the broken cookie, with a few loose sprinkles scattered around on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies, colorful chocolate cookies, fun cookies with sprinkles, easy chocolate cookies, festive sprinkle cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe plays a key role in creating that tender, chewy texture with an irresistible chocolate hit. Plus, the sprinkles add a whimsical crunch on the outside. Here’s what you’ll want to gather to make these your new favorite go-to cookies.

Flat lay of a small slab of salted butter still firm, a small heap of granulated sugar, a small heap of brown sugar, one large whole egg with a clean shell, one separate egg yolk in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl of vanilla extract, small white bowls containing baking powder, baking soda, and salt separately, a small white bowl filled with cocoa powder, a small mound of all-purpose flour, and a small white bowl filled with colorful rainbow jimmie sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically on simple white ceramic dishes and bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies, colorful chocolate cookies, fun cookies with sprinkles, easy chocolate cookies, festive sprinkle cookies

Salted butter: I like to use butter that’s still a bit firm — it creams better with the sugars for perfect texture.
Granulated sugar: It helps give the cookies a classic sweetness and a slight crisp edge.
Brown sugar: This adds moisture and a subtle caramel undertone that balances the cocoa.
Egg and egg yolk: I always use one whole egg plus an extra yolk — this combo keeps cookies soft and chewy.
Vanilla extract: Enhances depth and brings all the flavors nicely together.
Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents ensure your cookies rise just right with a little crackle on top.
Salt: A pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out the chocolate flavor.
Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa for that true chocolatey goodness.
All-purpose flour: Make sure to measure it properly — I recommend spooning into your cup or using a kitchen scale for consistency.
Rainbow jimmie sprinkles: These are perfect because the colors stay bright and don’t bleed during baking.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how easy it is to tweak this Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe based on what you have on hand or your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to make it your own — that’s part of the fun of baking.

Milk chocolate chips: I’ve added chocolate chips before for extra melty pockets of chocolate, and it’s always a hit.
Nutty twist: A handful of chopped walnuts or pecans adds a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavor twist.
Gluten-free flour: For those who need it, I’ve swapped in gluten-free all-purpose flour blends with great results—just watch the dough consistency.
Spice it up: A pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder can deepen the chocolate notes beautifully.

How to Make Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients Carefully

Before anything else, whisk together your baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and flour in a bowl. I like to set this aside so everything’s ready when it’s time to combine with the butter mixture. This ensures even distribution, so your cookies bake uniformly every time.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars to Pillowy Perfection

Pop your salted butter and both sugars into a stand mixer (or bowl if you’re using a hand mixer) and beat on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—around 3 minutes. I love doing this step just right because it aerates the batter, giving those cookies a wonderfully tender crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla Gently

Next, beat in the whole egg, the extra yolk, and vanilla extract on low speed until smooth—about 30 seconds. This keeps your batter emulsified without overworking it, which can lead to tough cookies.

Step 4: Slowly Incorporate the Dry Ingredients

Now, add the dry ingredients gradually while mixing on low. Here’s a trick I discovered: stop mixing when you still see a little flour around the sides — that’s the sweet spot to avoid overmixing and having dense cookies.

Step 5: Scoop, Roll, and Sprinkle

I like using a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough — these cookies are big and satisfying. After scooping, roll the top of each dough ball in the rainbow jimmie sprinkles for that colorful, crunchy finish that really makes these cookies pop.

Step 6: Bake to Fudgy Perfection

Place about 6 dough balls on your parchment-lined baking sheet to give them room to spread. Bake at 375°F for 11-13 minutes. You’re looking for that gorgeous crackling on top — a telltale sign they’re just right. Let them cool on the sheet so they set fully. Trust me, the wait is worth it!

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Measure Flour Precisely: I learned the hard way that packed flour produces dense cookies, so I always spoon and level or use a scale for consistency.
Use Cold, Firm Butter: Starting with butter that’s firm but not rock hard gives the best creamy texture when creamed with sugars.
Don’t Overmix After Adding Flour: Stop mixing as soon as you see streaks of flour; this keeps the cookies tender and chewy — trust me, it’s a game-changer.
Cool on the Baking Sheet: Let the cookies set up on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack so they hold their shape perfectly.

How to Serve Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Two round dark chocolate cookies lie flat on white parchment paper over a metal baking tray. Each cookie is covered fully with colorful cylindrical sprinkles in white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. The cookies have a slightly rough texture showing through under the sprinkles. The edges of the cookies are slightly uneven, and a few stray sprinkles rest around them on the parchment. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies, colorful chocolate cookies, fun cookies with sprinkles, easy chocolate cookies, festive sprinkle cookies

Garnishes

I keep it simple and rely on the sprinkles themselves as a garnish — they’re colorful and festive without adding extra fuss. But if I’m feeling fancy, a light dusting of powdered sugar over the cooled cookies adds a pretty touch that looks like a winter wonderland.

Side Dishes

These cookies are amazing alongside a cold glass of milk or a rich hot chocolate. For brunch or special occasions, I like serving them with fresh berries or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream — it’s decadent and guaranteed to wow your crowd.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthday parties, I’ve arranged the cookies on a tiered dessert stand mixed with cupcakes — the sprinkles tie everything together. Or pack them in clear cellophane bags tied with colorful ribbons for cute homemade gifts. Fun and tasty!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering with parchment paper to keep them fresh and prevent sticking. They stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days — good news when you don’t want to bake more right away!

Freezing

Want to enjoy these cookies anytime? I freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When ready, bake straight from frozen (just add a minute or two to baking time) — the results still come out amazing and fresh.

Reheating

If you have leftovers that have lost a bit of their fresh-baked warmth, pop a cookie in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. It softens the cookie up nicely, making it taste like you just pulled it from the oven.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter in this recipe?

Absolutely! If you’re using unsalted butter, just add an extra pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon) to make up for it. Salt is important to balance the sweetness and bring out the chocolate flavor.
Do the sprinkles melt or bleed color during baking?

Using rainbow jimmie sprinkles is key here because they hold up well and don’t bleed color during baking, keeping that fun, vibrant look on the cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! I’ve had success swapping in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum included. Just keep an eye on dough texture since some blends absorb more moisture.
What’s the best way to store the cookies to keep them soft?

Store them in an airtight container layered with parchment paper at room temperature. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture for a couple of days.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen arsenal because it’s just so reliably delicious and festive. The fun sprinkle coating makes it perfect for any celebration, but honestly, I find myself baking these on quiet weekday afternoons just to brighten my day. I’m confident that when you try making these cookies, you’ll love how easy they are and how irresistibly tasty they turn out — your family and friends will thank you too!