There’s nothing quite like the sweet, nostalgic joy of a cookie that tastes like the holidays in every bite. The Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe brings together the festive flavors of cake batter and sprinkles in a soft, buttery cookie that’s both playful and delicious. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your holiday baking lineup forever.

The image shows several round cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: the bottom layer is a light beige cookie with small red and green bits mixed inside, and the top layer is a thick swirl of creamy white frosting. The frosting is topped with red and green sprinkles scattered over the surface. The cookies are arranged closely together, with one cookie in clear focus in the center. 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 Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

When I first baked these Christmas Cake Batter Cookies, I was blown away by how they captured that unmistakable cake batter flavor with the cozy texture of a cookie. It’s a feel-good recipe that’s surprisingly simple but instantly festive—perfect for sharing or sneaking a few yourself.

Unique Flavor: The cake batter extract creates a familiar, irresistible taste that sets these cookies apart from typical holiday treats.
Soft & Tender Texture: Thanks to the extra butter and powdered sugar frosting, these cookies stay soft and melt in your mouth every time.
Fun and Festive: Holiday sprinkles add colorful pops of joy, making these cookies super inviting for kids and adults alike.
Copycat Favorite: If you love Crumbl’s Christmas Cake Batter Cookies, this homemade version tastes even better and saves you a trip.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe combines simple pantry staples with a few special touches. The all-purpose flour gives structure, while the double butter addition creates richness and softness. Cake batter extract is the magic ingredient that adds that signature nostalgic flavor, and colorful sprinkles make every bite visually joyful. Here’s a quick rundown of the key ingredients and why they shine.

Flat lay of a small pile of fine all-purpose flour, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, two thick slabs of soft unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated white sugar, another small white bowl holding packed light brown sugar, a tiny white bowl containing fine white baking powder, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles, a small white bowl of smooth heavy cream, and a small white bowl of clear cake batter extract liquid, all arranged symmetrically 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

Baking Powder: Gives the cookies a little lift so they’re tender but not flat.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor overall.
All-Purpose Flour: The perfect base to provide the right texture—fluffy but sturdy enough to hold up the frosting.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture. Softened butter ensures smooth mixing and tender cookies.
Granulated Sugar & Light Brown Sugar: A combo that sweetens while brown sugar adds a hint of molasses depth.
Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to that chewy softness.
Cake Batter Extract: The star of the show! It’s what makes these cookies taste exactly like cake batter.
Holiday Sprinkles: Brings in the festive vibe with colorful bursts that stay fun inside and out.
Powdered Sugar (for frosting): Creates a luscious, creamy texture perfect for smoothing on top.
Heavy Cream: Adjusts frosting consistency to make it perfectly fluffy for piping or spreading.

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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

I love playing around with this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe, especially when it comes to the sprinkles and frosting styles. You can easily tailor these cookies to suit different tastes or dietary needs, and they always make a crowd-pleaser regardless.

Variation: Once, I swapped out the standard sprinkles for glittery edible stars and added a dash of cinnamon to the dough—it gave the cookies a subtle warmth and extra sparkle that my family adored.
Dairy-Free Option: You can swap the butter and heavy cream with vegan alternatives, and they still turn out deliciously soft and flavorful.
Extra Festive: Try mixing in mini chocolate chips or crushed peppermint candies for a seasonal twist.
Texture Tweak: If you prefer crunchier cookies, bake them a couple of minutes longer based on your oven’s behavior.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

A top view of a metal mixing bowl filled with thick cookie dough that has red and green sprinkles mixed inside, placed on a white marbled texture surface. The dough is creamy off-white, with a slightly rough texture dotted with colorful sprinkles throughout. The inside of the bowl has some dough stuck on the sides, showing the mixing process. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients

I start by whisking together the baking powder, salt, and flour in a medium bowl. This step is key—not only does it evenly distribute the leavening, but it also keeps the flour light and helps the dough come together smoothly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Next, soften your butter well—room temperature butter is a must here—and beat it with both the granulated and brown sugars until fluffy and lighter in color. The brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor, so don’t skip it. I usually use my stand mixer with a paddle attachment, but a sturdy hand mixer works fine too.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Cake Batter Extract

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then the star ingredient: cake batter extract. This flavor is what makes these cookies taste like nostalgia on a plate, so don’t forget it! Mix on medium speed until it’s all combined and beautifully fragrant.

Step 4: Incorporate Flour and Sprinkles

Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Be careful not to overmix—stir just until the batter is smooth and comes together. Scrape the bowl sides to get everything blended nicely. Then gently fold in the holiday sprinkles. This part feels a little like magic, watching the dough speckled with bright, colorful little spots.

Step 5: Shape and Bake

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. I scoop out 2 and 3 tablespoon-sized balls of dough, giving them enough space to spread but not crowd. For a fun twist, press each ball gently with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly—this helps them bake evenly and look extra charming. Pop them in a preheated 350°F oven for 13-16 minutes for smaller cookies or 18-20 minutes for larger ones. Look for lightly golden edges and tops that aren’t glossy anymore.

Step 6: Make the Frosting

While the cookies cool completely, whip up the frosting. Beat softened butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar until the texture is crumbly but manageable. Stir in salt, cake batter extract, and start with 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Keep beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable—add a little more cream if needed. This frosting is decadently creamy with just the right hint of that cake batter goodness.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Frost your cookies as you like—whether that’s a generous spread with a knife or piping a pretty spiral using a pastry bag with a round tip. Don’t forget to add more sprinkles on top for that extra festive look. Watching those bright pops against the smooth frosting instantly lifts your cookie game.

Top Tip

Over the years of baking this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe, a few small things have made a big difference in how these cookies turn out. Paying attention to these tips will make your baking experience smoother and your cookies even more delightful.

Softened Butter is Key: Using room temperature butter—not melted or cold—helps create that perfect creamy mixture that holds air, giving the cookies a tender crumb.
Watch Your Oven Time: Every oven is different. Look for slightly golden edges and a matte top to know when they’re perfectly baked without drying out.
Don't Skip the Cake Batter Extract: It’s tempting to substitute vanilla, but this extract delivers the unique flavor crucial to this recipe’s magic.
Pipe the Frosting for Wow Factor: Using a pastry bag with a round tip lets you swirl the frosting exactly like the Crumbl cookies, making your batch look bakery-worthy.

How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Cake Batter Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically stick with extra colorful holiday sprinkles—there’s something so joyful about those little bursts of color on top of the creamy frosting. For a bit of texture contrast, you can also add a light dusting of edible glitter or finely chopped nuts if you want to mix it up beyond the classic look.

Side Dishes

These cookies are lovely on their own, but I’ve found they pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa, mulled wine, or even a spiced chai latte. If you’re throwing a holiday party, setting out a platter alongside fresh fruit and cheese can also elevate the spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love arranging these cookies on a tiered stand with holiday greenery like pine sprigs or holly around the edges. Wrapping a clear box with a festive ribbon makes a beautiful homemade gift that everyone appreciates. One year, I even made mini cookie sandwich stacks with frosting in between for a cute, shareable treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft for up to 3 days, which means they’re perfect for making ahead a little bit before your holiday event without losing that fresh-baked feel.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing both the unfrosted cookie dough balls and baked cookies. For dough, freeze them shaped on a tray then transfer to a zip-top bag. When you’re ready, bake from frozen, just add a minute or two to the bake time. For baked cookies, freeze them unfrosted and thaw at room temperature before frosting.

Reheating

To refresh a cookie that’s a bit stale or chilled, I pop it in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes—just enough to warm it through and soften the texture without melting the frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can I substitute for cake batter extract?

Cake batter extract is a blend of vanilla and butter flavor with a hint of almond or almond-like flavoring which makes it unique. If you can't find it, a mix of high-quality vanilla extract with a small amount of butter flavoring or almond extract can work as a substitute, but the flavor won't be quite the same.

Can I use a different kind of sprinkles?

Absolutely! You can use any holiday-themed sprinkles or even mini chocolate chips. Just keep in mind that some sprinkles may melt or bleed color during baking, so choose ones designed for baking for best results.

How long do these cookies keep once frosted?

Once frosted and stored in an airtight container, these cookies keep best for about 3 days at room temperature. The frosting and cookie are at their freshest and softest within this period.

Can I make these cookies vegan?

You can try substituting vegan butter for regular butter and a flax or chia egg in place of the eggs. However, since this recipe relies on butter and eggs for texture and flavor, results may vary. Adjustments to baking time and ingredient ratios might be necessary.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to festive bakes because it feels both classic and playful. They’re soft, flavorful, and absolutely bursting with holiday cheer. So whether you’re making cookies for your family, a party, or gifts, I hope these bring the same smile to your face and warmth to your kitchen as they do mine. Give it a try—you won’t regret adding these to your recipe rotation!