Name: Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 2 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2 ounces (57g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 3/4 cup (150g) sprinkles (sanding sugar, nonpareils, and/or jimmies)

Nothing says holiday magic quite like biting into a soft, buttery cookie shimmering with colorful sprinkles. This Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is one of my absolute favorites to bake each season because it's both fun and easy, delivering that perfect balance of creamy sweetness and festive crunch. You’ll love how these cookies brighten up any holiday spread!

A stack of five round, sugar-coated cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. From bottom to top, the first cookie has green sugar crystals with a slightly rough texture, the second cookie is covered in red sugar crystals, the third is again green sugar crystals, the fourth is red sugar crystals, and the fifth on top is a half-eaten green sugar cookie revealing a soft, light yellow interior. To the left, at the base of the stack, there is a half piece of a green sugar cookie showing the same soft inside. Some blurred cookies with red and green sugar crystals appear in the background. The overall image uses soft, natural light to highlight the texture and colors. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I first made these Christmas Sprinkle Cookies when I wanted something that felt special but wasn’t complicated. What blew me away was how the cream cheese in the dough makes the cookies incredibly soft and tender while the sprinkles add that joyful pop of color and crunch.

Soft, Creamy Texture: Thanks to cream cheese blended with butter, these cookies stay delightfully tender and never dry out.
Festive Sparkle: A generous coating of sprinkles transforms simple sugar cookies into holiday showstoppers.
Simple Ingredients: You likely already have most of what you need in your pantry, making this an easy last-minute bake.
Perfect for Gifting: They keep well and look so cheerful, they’re a crowd-pleaser in cookie tins or party platters.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in delivering that moist, tender crumb and festive vibe. Here’s what you need and why these particular items matter for making the magic happen.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of fine baking powder, a tiny white bowl of salt crystals, a square of unsalted butter softened and slightly shiny, a block of full-fat cream cheese with a smooth surface, granulated sugar heaped in a small white bowl, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with clear vanilla extract liquid, a small white bowl holding almond extract liquid, and a small white bowl overflowing with colorful sanding sugar sprinkles, nonpareils, and jimmies, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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

All-purpose flour: This forms the cookie’s structure. Spooning and leveling it ensures you don’t add too much flour, which can make cookies tough.
Baking powder: Gives the cookies a little lift so they aren’t flat and dense.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Unsalted butter: The richness in butter creates the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Cream cheese: This is my secret to soft, creamy cookies that practically melt in your mouth.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens evenly and helps with the cookie’s body.
Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes a slight chewiness.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the flavor.
Almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty fragrance that’s perfect for the holidays.
Sprinkles: These are the star of the show—choose whichever festive colors or types you love for a fun crunch and bright pop of color.

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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.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to play around with the flavors and decorations to suit your style. Over the years, I’ve tweaked it depending on who I’m baking for or what sprinkles I have on hand.

Variation: I once swapped out the almond extract for peppermint extract to give my cookies a minty holiday kick, and they were a hit at my family party.
Dietary tweaks: You can use gluten-free flour blends if needed, but watch your baking time closely as they might brown faster.
Sprinkle mix: I love combining nonpareils with sanding sugar for a mix of textures—but you can also switch to just one type for a simpler look.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

A white marble slab holds an assortment of round Christmas cookies with colorful sprinkles and sugar coating. The cookies have different layers of texture: some are covered with large red, green, and white round sprinkles; others are dusted with bright green or red sugar crystals; a few have red and white sugar sprinkles. One cookie is broken to show two green layers with a white filling between them. The cookies are placed closely in a scattered pattern, some on the slab and a few on white plates around with more cookies. Two woman's hands hold the slate at the corners, and a red-and-white striped cloth is partially visible on the left. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients Just Right

I like to whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until they're fully combined. This ensures that every bite has an even texture and rise. Take your time with this step because it’s the base that keeps your cookie dough balanced and lump-free.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese to Silky Perfection

Using your mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on high until you get a smooth, creamy blend—about 2 minutes. This part is key for that ultra-soft crumb. Then, mix in the sugar until everything is light and fluffy before adding your egg and extracts. Don't rush—scraping the bowl often is how you make sure every bit is incorporated.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Carefully

Switch the mixer to low speed before adding the dry ingredients to your wet mixture. Mixing gently prevents overworking the dough, which can make your cookies tough. The dough will feel thick—that’s good! Cover it tightly and chill it for at least an hour. When I’ve left it for days, I let it warm up a bit before rolling to make handling easier.

Step 4: Roll, Coat, Flatten, and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Roll cookie dough into tablespoon-sized balls, then roll them generously in your sprinkles. I always pour my sprinkles into wide bowls for easier coating. Place cookies 2 inches apart, then gently press down with the back of a glass for that classic flattened shape. Bake for 12-13 minutes until edges are just turning golden—you’ll know when they’re ready because the centers should still be soft.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy Every Sparkly Bite

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. That little wait lets them set up perfectly without losing their softness. Trust me, these are best enjoyed with a warm cup of cocoa or tea in hand during those cozy winter evenings.

Top Tip

After making this Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe many times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that help these cookies turn out amazing every single time. These tips will save you time and headaches, making your baking smoother and your cookies extra delicious.

Don't Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough is essential. It firms up the fats so the cookies spread evenly while baking rather than running into each other.
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and egg are at room temperature before mixing—it helps everything blend beautifully and gives a better texture.
Roll Evenly: Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon to ensure uniform cookie sizes—this guarantees even baking.
Watch Baking Time: Edges should only be lightly browned—if you bake longer, the cookies can become dry, losing their soft charm.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Christmas sprinkle cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I keep it simple with colorful sprinkles right on the cookie surface—it’s festive and gives enough sparkle. Occasionally, I like to dust them lightly with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, which adds a pretty, seasonal touch without hiding the colors.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of eggnog or spiced chai tea. For holiday parties, I serve them alongside rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, which is a perfect cozy combo that everyone raves about.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I love stacking these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons. You can also arrange them in festive tins or on cookie trays layered with parchment and greenery sprigs for that classic holiday look that guests appreciate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay nice and soft for up to a week. I try not to stack them too tightly to keep their shape intact and sprinkles looking fresh.

Freezing

These cookie dough balls freeze beautifully! I roll and sprinkle them, then flash freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a ziplock bag. When ready to bake, thaw for about 30 minutes at room temperature and bake as usual. This is a lifesaver during busy holiday weeks.

Reheating

If you want to refresh your cookies a bit, pop them in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5 minutes to soften them up. Warm cookies feel freshly baked again, and the sprinkles regain some crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of sprinkles for this recipe?

Absolutely! This Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe works well with sanding sugar, jimmies, nonpareils, or a mix—just pick your favorite colors and textures.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be chilled for 1 hour up to 3-4 days. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling if it’s been refrigerated for more than a couple of hours.

What if I don’t have cream cheese?

Cream cheese is key for this recipe’s texture, but you can substitute with an equal amount of softened butter for a more traditional sugar cookie—expect a slightly firmer texture.

How do I prevent sprinkles from bleeding colors?

To reduce sprinkle bleeding, use high-quality sprinkles meant for baking and avoid overly wet dough surfaces. Rolling dough balls before chilling helps keep sprinkles in place during baking.

Final Thoughts

Every holiday season, I look forward to the simple joy of baking this Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe and sharing the sparkle with friends and family. It’s one of those recipes that feels nostalgic but never gets old. If you’re hoping to add a burst of color and extra coziness to your festive treats this year, these cookies are the perfect way to do it—easy to make, delightful to eat, and downright magical to share. Give them a try and watch smiles light up around your kitchen!