If you’re looking for a cookie that screams holiday cheer and delivers on flavor and fun, you’re in the right place. This Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is absolutely one of my go-tos when the season rolls around because it’s easy, colorful, and always gets rave reviews from my family and friends. Whether you’re baking with kids or just want to brighten your cookie tray, these cookies are soft, buttery, and bursting with joyful sprinkles that instantly put a smile on your face. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through everything you need to make these sparkle-worthy treats.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Simple: It uses a sugar cookie mix but feels homemade, cutting down your prep time without sacrificing flavor.
- Perfect Texture: The addition of cream cheese makes these cookies super soft and tender – no dry crumb here!
- Festive Vibes: Splitting the dough into red and green batches with sprinkles gives you the quintessential holiday look that everyone loves.
- Kid-Friendly: It’s such a fun project to involve little helpers, and the sprinkles add that magical finishing touch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a soft, buttery dough that’s perfectly suited to hold those colorful sprinkles. I usually find the best sugar cookie mix I can get my hands on, since that really sets the foundation for the flavor.
- Sugar Cookie Mix: A great base that saves time; look for one with good reviews to ensure flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Softened for smooth mixing; adds a moist, tender crumb.
- Salted Butter: Also softened to room temp; balances the sweetness and adds richness.
- Large Egg: Helps bind the dough together and gives a nice structure.
- Red Food Coloring: For that iconic Christmas red shade; gel coloring works best if you want to avoid altering dough consistency.
- Green Food Coloring: Same as red—gel or liquid, but gel won’t thin your dough.
- Christmas Sprinkles: The star of the show! I love mixing sizes and shapes for the most festive look.
Variations
One thing I love about this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to switch up the colors or sprinkles depending on your holiday theme or even add a little twist with flavors!
- Chocolate Chip Twist: I once added mini chocolate chips to half the dough and it was a hit with my chocolate-loving family.
- Gluten-Free Option: Try a gluten-free cookie mix if you have dietary needs—just check the mix works well with the cream cheese addition.
- Spiced Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy holiday flavor that pairs beautifully with the sprinkles.
- Sprinkle Swap: Using edible glitter or metallic sprinkles can give these cookies a luxe holiday vibe.
How to Make Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by setting your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat—this prevents sticking and helps your cookies bake evenly. I always have extra sheets handy because sometimes the first batch sticks if the oven’s too warm or the dough’s too soft.
Step 2: Mix the Dough
In a large bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, butter, and the egg. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat everything together until you get a soft, smooth dough. This cream cheese trick is a game changer—it keeps the cookies incredibly tender and rich without extra effort.
Step 3: Divide and Color
Split your dough into two equal parts, then add red food coloring to one side and green to the other. Mix each batch thoroughly until the dough is a beautiful, uniform color. If you want a deeper hue, add food coloring gradually—you don’t want to overdo it and alter the dough’s texture.
Step 4: Scoop and Coat with Sprinkles
Place your Christmas sprinkles in a shallow dish. Use a tablespoon cookie scoop to form dough balls, then gently roll each ball in the sprinkles to coat well. Arrange them spaced about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. The dough will be soft and might flatten a little as it bakes—that’s totally normal, so don’t worry if they look a bit squishy when raw.
Step 5: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for around 8-11 minutes. You want the edges to start firming up but the tops should still feel slightly soft when you gently press them. This keeps them nice and tender instead of hardening into a crunch. After baking, let them cool on the sheet for about 3-5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Trust me, they’re delicious warm, but they also hold up beautifully once cooled.
Pro Tips for Making Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
- Use Softened Ingredients: Cream cheese and butter should be softened but not melted to ensure the dough mixes evenly.
- Control Food Coloring: Add coloring bit by bit to reach your perfect shade without changing dough consistency.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies look slightly underdone when you take them out but they firm up during cooling – don’t let edges brown too much.
- Sprinkle Evenly: Rolling dough lightly helps sprinkles stick better and keeps them vibrant after baking.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple by piling on extra sprinkles right after baking if some fell off. Sometimes, I lightly dust powdered sugar for a snowy effect which adds a charming touch and an extra hint of sweetness.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cozy hot chocolate or a creamy eggnog for the perfect holiday pairing. They also go surprisingly well next to a sharp cheddar cheese on a festive cheese board (I know, a fun twist!).
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve gifted these by stacking them between parchment sheets and wrapping with festive ribbons. Another favorite is arranging them on a holiday platter with pine sprigs and candy canes—makes the whole table feel instantly festive and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
My go-to method is storing these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. From experience, they stay soft and flavorful for about five days—after that, they start to dry out a bit, so I try to bake fresh batches if I can.
Freezing
I freeze leftover cookies in a single layer wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then pop them in a freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. They keep well for up to three months, which is perfect for making ahead for holiday parties.
Reheating
To enjoy them fresh after freezing, I let the cookies thaw at room temp, then warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-7 minutes. This brings back their soft, just-baked feel without drying them out.
FAQs
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Can I make this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe without cream cheese?
Yes, you can omit the cream cheese, but keep in mind that it adds moisture and tenderness that really sets these cookies apart. Without it, the cookies might be a bit drier and less soft, so you might want to add a splash of milk or reduce the baking time slightly.
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What’s the best way to prevent sprinkles from falling off?
Rolling the dough balls gently but thoroughly in sprinkles before baking helps them adhere well. Also, using a slightly moist dough (like in this recipe) ensures the sprinkles stick better as the dough bakes and sets around them.
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Can I use natural food coloring for this recipe?
You can, but natural colorings often produce more muted tones and may affect dough texture slightly. Gel food coloring is ideal for vibrant and consistent red and green shades without changing the dough’s consistency.
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How do I know when these cookies are done baking?
Look for cookies that have firm edges but still slightly soft centers. If you gently touch the top, it shouldn’t feel wet or collapse. Keep your baking time within 8 to 11 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe has been a holiday staple in my kitchen for years, and I love it because it’s approachable yet produces those delicious soft, colorful cookies everyone asks for. Whether you’re baking with the family, prepping for a party, or just craving a cheerful sweet, these cookies hit all the right notes. I really hope you try this recipe and enjoy the magical little moments in your kitchen that it brings as much as I do. Happy baking and happy holidays!
Print
Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate the holiday season with these festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies. Made with a sugar cookie mix combined with cream cheese and butter for a soft, tender texture, this recipe highlights colorful red and green dough rolled in vibrant sprinkles. Perfectly baked into delightful, soft cookies, they bring cheer to any holiday gathering or cookie exchange.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 17.5 ounce bag sugar cookie mix
- 4 ounce (½ 8-ounce package) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (½ stick) salted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
Coloring and Decoration
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
- ½ cup Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand or hand mixer to cream together the sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, softened butter, and egg. Beat thoroughly until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Divide the Dough: Split the dough evenly into two separate bowls to prepare for coloring.
- Add Red Color: To one bowl, add red food coloring and mix until the dough achieves a deep, uniform red hue.
- Add Green Color: Add green food coloring to the second bowl and thoroughly mix until the dough is evenly green.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Pour the sprinkles into a shallow bowl. Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, shape the dough into balls, then gently roll each ball in the sprinkles to coat before placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Space cookies about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
- Note on Dough Consistency: The dough is naturally soft; it’s normal for cookie balls to flatten slightly before baking, so no need for concern.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for 8 to 11 minutes, or until the edges begin to firm and the tops no longer collapse when lightly touched.
- Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Serve warm or fully cooled for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Storage: Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- Freezing: Freeze cookies for up to 3 months by wrapping well and placing in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Tip: Use parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and assist with even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
