Description
These classic Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are soft, buttery, and incredibly festive. Rolled in colorful Christmas sprinkles, they are simple to make and perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a special treat for Santa. A delight for all ages!
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup Christmas-themed sprinkles (jimmies or nonpareils)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Cover the dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 2 days. Chilling is essential to prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Pour the Christmas sprinkles into a small, shallow bowl.
- Scoop and roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in the sprinkles until it’s fully coated.
- Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers will still look soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Do Not Overbake: For soft and chewy cookies, pull them from the oven when the centers still look slightly underdone. They will continue to bake on the hot pan.
- Chilling is Key: Chilling the dough solidifies the fat, which prevents the cookies from spreading too thin while baking. Don’t skip this step!
- Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Variations: Add ¼ teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American