There’s something so cozy and joyful about holiday baking, isn’t there? These soft, colorful, and super easy-to-make Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe are an absolute staple in my kitchen when December rolls around. They’re loaded with festive sprinkles and perfect for sharing with loved ones—or sneaking a few before anyone notices!

A stack of six round cookies sits in the center, each cookie dotted with small red, green, and white sprinkles inside the dough and more sprinkled on top. Around the stack are loose cookies showing the same colorful texture. In the background, two small clear bowls filled with red, green, and white sprinkles are slightly out of focus. All items are arranged on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. The lighting is soft, highlighting the texture and colors of the cookies. 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 Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe quickly became one of my favorites because it’s just so effortless yet festive. If you want cookies that taste buttery and sweet, with just the right amount of chew, this is your recipe. I love that you don’t need any fancy tools—no rolling pins, no cutters, just a spoon and your hands.

Simple preparation: Just mix, scoop, chill, and bake—easy for every skill level.
Fun sprinkle surprise: The dough is packed with colorful sprinkles, making every bite festive and fun.
Soft and chewy texture: These cookies stay delightfully soft in the middle while slightly crisp around the edges.
Make-ahead convenience: Chilling the dough ahead of time means you can bake fresh cookies when you want, no last-minute rush.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a role to get you that perfect soft, sweet cookie with a hint of vanilla and a burst of sprinkle fun. Here’s what I recommend looking for and why each one works:

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with white baking powder, a pinch of salt on a white ceramic plate, a half cup of unsalted butter softly softened and cut into a neat square on a white dish, a small white bowl with granulated sugar sparkling under natural light, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, and a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles scattered evenly, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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

All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie—just make sure to spoon and level it for accuracy, so your cookie isn’t too dense or dry.
Baking powder: Adds just enough lift to keep cookies light without making them cake-like.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors—never skip this little pinch!
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temp for easy creaming—this gives your cookies that rich, buttery flavor and tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create that slight crisp edge when baked.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds some moisture—room temperature helps it mix smoothly.
Pure vanilla extract: The secret ingredient that pulls all the flavors together.
Sprinkles: I prefer sturdy ones that hold up to baking so you get bursts of color and crunch in every bite.

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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

This Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is a fantastic base that you can easily tweak to make your own. Over the years, I’ve tried a few variations and love how they change the vibe of the cookies.

Sprinkle swap: I sometimes swap in holiday-themed or metallic sprinkles to make these cookies pop for special gatherings. It’s amazing how just changing up sprinkles brings a totally new sparkle.
Flavor twist: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or almond extract is a cozy touch if you want something a little different but still traditional.
Dietary swaps: Try swapping the butter for a plant-based spread to make these vegan-friendly. The texture changes just a bit but still turns out great!
Mini cookies: Scoop smaller dough balls to make bite-sized versions for cookie platters or gift jars.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a metal baking tray with a brown silicone baking mat on a white marbled surface. On the mat, there are 15 round cookie dough balls arranged in three rows of five, evenly spaced. Each cookie dough ball is light beige with small bits of red and green mixed evenly inside. Some of the dough balls are topped with small colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white. The scene looks clean and neat, with the cookies ready to bake. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk dry ingredients together

Start by whisking your flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This step ensures that the leavening and salt are evenly distributed. When I skip this, sometimes I get pockets of baking powder or salty spots — definitely not what you want!

Step 2: Cream butter and sugar

Using a mixer, beat your softened butter and sugar on medium-high for about a minute until fluffy. Don’t skimp here—that fluffy texture is what makes the cookies tender. I usually stop to scrape the bowl once or twice to ensure everything blends smoothly.

Step 3: Add egg and vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla until fully combined. This step adds moisture and flavor, so make sure your ingredients are room temperature for smooth mixing without breaking the batter.

Step 4: Combine wet and dry ingredients, then add sprinkles

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet on low speed, then fold in half the sprinkles carefully. The dough will be thick and sticky, which is normal! Try to resist adding more flour—it’s tempting but can dry out your cookies.

Step 5: Shape dough balls and chill

Scoop roughly 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. I love dipping the tops in more sprinkles for that extra festive flair. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours—this step is key for flavor development and perfect baking.

Step 6: Bake and cool

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Arrange the chilled dough balls about 3 inches apart, bake for 12-13 minutes until edges turn lightly golden but centers remain soft. Let cookies cool for 5 minutes on the sheet before transferring to a rack to cool completely.

Top Tip

I’ve baked these cookies dozens of times, and here’s what really elevates the Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe for me. Follow these tips, and you’ll get that bakery-quality result with minimal fuss.

Room temperature is crucial: Make sure your butter and egg aren’t cold. Cold ingredients won’t mix well and can make dough lumpy or hard to handle.
Don’t skip chilling: I know it feels like an extra step, but chilling helps control spreading and keeps the sprinkles intact during baking.
Even scoops: Using a cookie scoop guarantees your cookies bake evenly and look beautiful—plus it saves time.
Bake just right: Pull them out when edges are set but centers still look soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy inside.

How to Serve Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas sugar cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually go all out with festive sprinkles on top right before baking for that extra sparkle. Sometimes I’ve added tiny edible glitter or colored sugar crystals for holiday parties. If you’re feeling creative, a simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy effect that's hard to beat.

Side Dishes

Perfect with a classic cup of hot cocoa or fresh peppermint tea to bring out that Christmas vibe. I’ve also enjoyed serving these alongside a simple fruit salad or a glass of cold milk—it’s a classic combo that never fails.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I like stacking these cookies in a pretty tin lined with wax paper, tied with a festive ribbon. Another fun idea is arranging them on a holiday-themed platter surrounded by fresh evergreen sprigs and tiny ornaments. Making a cookie tree by stacking and stacking can wow guests too!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature where they keep wonderfully soft for up to a week. I usually place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.

Freezing

This dough freezes beautifully! I pack the dough balls in a sealed freezer bag, separated by parchment paper. When I want fresh cookies, I simply thaw overnight in the fridge then bake as usual—no need to adjust time.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy these cookies fresh out of the oven later, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This warms them without drying them out and brings back that fresh-baked softness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use baking soda instead of baking powder in this recipe?

This recipe specifically calls for baking powder because it provides the right amount of rise and tenderness. Using baking soda can alter the texture and flavor, so I recommend sticking with baking powder for best results.

Why do I need to chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling the dough solidifies the butter, which helps the cookies maintain their shape and prevents them from spreading too much. It also deepens the flavor, making the cookies taste richer and give you that perfect chewy texture.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup like regular flour. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for structure. The texture may vary slightly, but it works well in this recipe.

How do I prevent sprinkles from melting or fading during baking?

Choose high-quality sprinkles designed to hold up when baked; these usually contain less dye that bleeds or melts. Also, adding sprinkles both inside the dough and on top as a final touch helps maintain that bright, festive look.

Final Thoughts

To me, these Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe really capture the spirit of the season—they’re simple, sweet, and make everyone smile just by looking at them. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do. Give them a try this holiday, and I’m sure they’ll find a cozy spot in your family traditions too!