If you’ve been searching for that cheerful, buttery delight that instantly lifts your mood and brings a smile to anyone’s face, the Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are the perfect combination of soft, tender crumb and crunchy sparkle from colorful sprinkles, making every bite a festive celebration. Whether you’re baking for a party, a simple afternoon treat, or just because, this recipe brings joy and nostalgia together effortlessly in each cookie.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe lies not only in its flavor but also in how straightforward the ingredients are. Each one plays an essential role, from the creamy butter that ensures richness to the sprinkles that add fun pops of color and texture.
- 1/2 cup butter, softened: Makes the cookies tender and rich while creating the perfect base for the dough.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and a slight crunch that balances the softness.
- 3 tbsp brown sugar: Adds a subtle depth of flavor and helps keep the cookies moist.
- 1 large egg white: Binds the ingredients together without adding extra fat, keeping cookies light.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Infuses the cookies with a warm, aromatic sweetness.
- 1 & 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: The structure of the cookie, giving it that tender crumb.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a soft texture.
- 1/4 tsp baking powder: Works with the baking soda for lightness and fluffiness.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness perfectly.
- 1/3 cup sprinkles: The signature colorful sparkle that makes these cookies instantly joyful.
- Additional granulated sugar, for rolling dough balls: Gives the cookies a pretty, sugary coating and a delicate crunch.
How to Make Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This foundation step ensures your cookies bake evenly and come off the tray without trouble.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy — usually two to three minutes. This aeration step is key for tender cookies with a perfect texture that almost melt in your mouth.
Step 3: Add Egg White and Vanilla
Next, add the single egg white and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix just about 30 seconds until everything is fully combined. This keeps the flavor consistent throughout your dough, with just the right level of moisture to hold everything together.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Stir everything just until the flour disappears — overmixing can toughen the dough, so keeping it gentle helps maintain that delightful soft texture.
Step 5: Fold in Sprinkles and Shape Cookies
Gently fold the sprinkles into your dough, distributing those dots of color evenly for an even sparkle in every bite. Scoop out portions about 2 tablespoons each, roll into balls, then roll in granulated sugar for that extra shine and crunch. Place them spaced about two inches apart on your prepared baking sheet, ready for the oven.
Step 6: Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies for about eight minutes. They will look soft and slightly underbaked, but don’t worry — that’s just right. They will firm up as they cool, giving you a perfect chewy edge with a soft center.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let your freshly baked cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes. This helps them set without breaking. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. These cookies are truly irresistible at any temperature — fresh from the oven or after cooling.
How to Serve Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While the sprinkles take center stage, you can amp up the fun by drizzling a little melted white chocolate or sprinkling edible glitter on top. Even a tiny pinch of sea salt can beautifully contrast the sweetness and add a gourmet touch.
Side Dishes
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe pairs beautifully with a cold glass of milk, a hot cup of tea, or rich, creamy coffee. For a festive occasion, serve alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to turn the treat into a full dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies with layers of frosting or sandwiching a dollop of buttercream between two cookies for an extra-special touch. They also make adorable gifts when packaged in colorful boxes or jars tied with a ribbon. Presentation can make your cookies even more inviting!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Sprinkle Sugar Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to a week, making them perfect for enjoying a little sweetness anytime you want.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the shaped dough balls before baking or store fully baked cookies in a freezer-safe container. They maintain their flavor and texture well for up to three months when properly sealed.
Reheating
To bring frozen or stored cookies back to life, bake them for 2–3 minutes in a 300°F oven or microwave them briefly. This little warm-up revives that fresh-baked softness and buttery aroma you love.
FAQs
Can I use regular eggs instead of just egg whites?
Yes, you can use a whole egg, but using only the egg white keeps the cookies lighter and less rich. The recipe is designed for the fluffy, tender texture that egg whites provide.
What type of sprinkles works best in this recipe?
Standard rainbow jimmies or nonpareils work wonderfully because they retain their colors through baking without melting away, giving that delightful festive look.
Can I substitute brown sugar with all granulated sugar?
You can, but the cookies might lose that slight caramel flavor and some moisture. Brown sugar helps create softness and depth, so it’s worth including if you want the best results.
How do I make the cookies more colorful?
Use a mix of brightly colored sprinkles and consider rolling the dough balls in colored sugar crystals before baking. This adds even more sparkle and cheer to every cookie.
Will these cookies keep their softness over several days?
They will stay soft for a few days when stored properly. If you want to maintain the fresh-baked feel longer, consider freezing and reheating them when needed.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe enough if you want to fill your kitchen with warmth, color, and that irresistible cookie scent. It’s simple to make, endlessly fun to eat, and guaranteed to bring smiles. So go ahead, bake a batch, and share the joy — you’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with colorful sprinkles in every bite. Perfectly sweetened with both granulated and brown sugar, these cookies offer a delightful crunch from rolling in extra sugar before baking. Easy to make and fun for any occasion, they bake up golden and keep fresh in an airtight container.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 & 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Add-ins
- 1/3 cup sprinkles
- Additional granulated sugar, for rolling dough balls
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step helps create tender cookies with a perfect texture.
- Add Egg White and Vanilla: Add the egg white and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix again for about 30 seconds or until fully incorporated, ensuring an even flavor and moisture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the flour disappears to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Sprinkles and Shape Cookies: Gently fold the sprinkles into the dough. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon (about 2 tablespoons), scoop out equally sized dough portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then roll in granulated sugar for extra sparkle and crunch. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. They will look soft but will firm up during cooling.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on it for 5-10 minutes. This helps them set perfectly. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature to ensure it creams well with the sugars.
- Do not overmix the dry ingredients into the wet to keep cookies tender.
- Rolling the cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking gives a nice crunchy texture and sparkle on top.
- Cookies will appear soft right out of the oven but firm up as they cool.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
