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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles

    First Published: November 9, 2020 . Last Modified: December 1, 2021 lisa23 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles are a cookie lovers dream! These light cookies are filled with sprinkles and are perfect Christmas sugar cookies to leave for Santa but really great for any holiday. Load them up with festive sprinkles and then watch them disappear!    

    stacked soft sugar cookies with sprinkles

    Easy Sprinkle Cookies

    There is something about cookies with sprinkles that make people happy. They are bright, cheery and perfect to celebrate a holiday with. I remember being a little girl and going to the bakery with my grandmother. Of course, I always chose the cookie with lots of colored sprinkles. While it's nice to pick up pretty cookies at a bakery, these are easy enough to make at home.  No cookie cutters, rolling pin or special equipment required to make this sugar cookie recipe!

    Thanksgiving cookies with sprinkles

    These are one of my family's favorite festive Christmas sugar cookies and I love adding them to my holiday cookie tray so they are sitting next to Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread and my Peppermint Sandwich Cookie Brownies . But the fact is that they are a perfect festive cookie for any occasion. I made some and added fall sprinkles. Why not have cookies on your Thanksgiving table too? Of course I want these at birthday parties with fun multi colored sprinkles. And at Easter time, some pretty pastel sprinkles are great to load these cookies with.

    The best part is that there are sprinkles in the dough then the soft sugar cookies get topped with more sprinkles before baking. You really cannot have too many sprinkles on Christmas sugar cookies or really any cookies for a festive occasion!

    cookie dough on baking tray before being baked

    Ingredients Needed

    • all purpose flour
    • baking powder
    • salt
    • unsalted butter
    • sugar
    • vanilla extract
    • large eggs
    • sour cream
    • lots of sprinkles

    How to Make this Sprinkle Cookie Recipe

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set the flour mixture aside.
    • Cream butter with a mixer on medium speed (or by hand) until smooth. Mix in the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, egg and sour cream. Mix until well combined, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add in the mixed dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Make sure not to overmix. Add ½ cup of sprinkles and gently stir in by hand.
    • Roll the dough into balls and place 1 inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Press the top of the cookie dough balls with a glass to flatten. Dip each disc into more sprinkles on one side.
    • Bake for 8-10 minutes. The cookies should be completely set, but the centers will look slightly under cooked. Place the baking sheets on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes as the cookies will continue to slightly cook . Remove cookies with a spatula.
    • Repeat with remaining dough to make the rest of the cookies.

    See recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.

    Storing Cookies

    Store chewy sugar cookies in an air tight container at room temperature for up to a week. Do not refrigerate as this will dry them out and they will lose their chewy texture.

    Soft Sugar Cookie Baking Tips

    The texture of these cookies are soft, light and a bit on the chewy side. Here are the best baking tips to make these sugar sprinkle cookies super delicious.

    • The sugar cookie dough is easiest to make using an electric stand or hand mixer. They can be done by hand but be sure to use a sturdy wooden spoon and be prepared to use some strength.   
    • Sprinkles get added at the end and make sure to gently mix them in. Also be careful not to overmix the dough.
    • For perfect cookie formation, roll the dough balls then use a glass to flatten them into a nice cookie shape.
    • These cookies are best when they are slightly under baked so they stay soft and chewy. They will get removed from the oven but will still continue to cook as they cool on the pan.
    • Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper. This makes the cookies soft and it is easy clean up.
    • I use 3 pans to fit all the cookies as this recipe makes 3 dozen. If you have less pans and need to make the cookies in batches, the baking pans must be cooled down before making a new batch of cookies.  
    • For a firmer, thicker cookie, the dough can be refrigerated for 2 hours before shaping and baking. 
    making sugar cookies with sprinkles

    Variations

    • It is so much fun to change up the colorful sprinkles! These chewy sprinkle cookies can be made for Christmas, Valentine's day, or really any special occasion. I like to make them with rainbow sprinkles for birthdays too or really anytime you want a special bakery cookie.
    • You can add a teaspoon of almond extract, lemon extract or really your favorite extract to change the flavor of the buttery cookies.
    • Serve the cookies with ice cream and let everyone make mini ice cream sandwiches!

    Sugar Cookie FAQs

    How long do cookies stay fresh?

    Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and they will keep for a week.

    Can these cookies be frozen?

    I do not recommend freezing the fully baked cookies as the sprinkles will get discolored. But the dough (with sprinkles inside) can be made into balls and frozen. Freeze individually on a baking sheet then place in an air tight plastic bag in the freezer. To bake, let them slightly defrost, dip the tops in sprinkles then bake as directed adding a minute or so to baking time.

    How many cookies does this recipe make?

    I usually get 3 dozen cookies. But it can vary a bit if you make the cookies slightly bigger or smaller.

    Can baking soda be substituted for baking powder in this recipe?

    If an equal amount of baking soda is swapped for baking powder in this cookie recipe, the cookies won't have any lift to them, and they will spread and flatten. If you are ok with flatter cookies then it will work but I really do prefer the baking powder because I like a thicker, fluffy cookie. .

    What type of sprinkles are best to use?

    I love all kind of sprinkles (pearls, nonpareils, confetti and jimmies) and the more colorful the better. I do want to note that the round pearl type of sprinkles (nonpareils sprinkles) might bleed some color into the cookies. I like to use the jimmie type sprinkles inside and the rounder sprinkles on the outside of the cookie.

    More Sugar Cookie Recipes

    • Brown Sugar Pecan Cookies by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
    • Chocolate Sugar Kisses by An Affair from the Heart
    • Drop Sugar Cookies
    • Sugar Cookies with Monk Fruit in the Raw
    soft sugar cookies with sprinkles

    If you like this Soft Sugar Cookie recipe, please rate it 5 stars below.

    RECIPE

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    5 from 2 votes

    Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles

    Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles are a cookie lovers dream! These light cookies are filled with sprinkles and are perfect Christmas sugar cookies to leave for Santa but really great for any holiday. Load them up with festive sprinkles and then watch them disappear!
    Prep Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time40 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 36 cookies
    Calories: 95kcal
    Cost: $5

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups flour
    • 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ cup sour cream
    • ⅓ cup sprinkles, plus more for decorating

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
    • Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium size bowl. Set aside.
    • Beat the butter with a mixer (or by hand) until smooth. Mix in the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, egg and sour cream. Mix until well combined, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl. Add in the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Make sure not to overmix. Add ⅓ cup of sprinkles and gently stir in by hand until just combined.
    • Roll the dough into 1 ½ inch balls and place 1 inch apart on the lined baking sheets. Press the top of the dough with a glass to flatten. Dip each disc into more sprinkles on one side.
    • Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies should be completely set, but the centers will look slightly under cooked. Place the baking sheets on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes as the cookies will continue to slightly cook . Remove cookies with a spatula.
    • Repeat with remaining dough to make the rest of the cookies.

    Notes

    Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

    1. Kelly D says

      November 09, 2020 at 9:33 am

      I like to bake gingerbread cookies.

      Reply
    2. Melissa C says

      November 09, 2020 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      love making sugar cookies with the kids they're so easy to decorate with sprinkles, frosting, perils and more!

      Reply
    3. Lisa Kerhin says

      November 09, 2020 at 12:55 pm

      I love the sprinkles and the cookies. A soft sugar cookie is a must for me

      Reply
    4. Hezzi-D says

      November 09, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      It's just not the holidays without sugar cookies!

      Reply
    5. Karen @Karen's Kitchen Stories says

      November 09, 2020 at 2:20 pm

      Sprinkles are so festive and make everything better!

      Reply
    6. Rebekah Hills says

      November 09, 2020 at 2:46 pm

      Look at all of those gorgeous colorful sprinkles packed onto those cookies!

      Reply
    7. Rebecca says

      November 09, 2020 at 3:24 pm

      Sprinkle Cookies are so fun and easy to make. Can't wait to make with my kids.

      Reply
    8. Wendy Klik says

      November 09, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      Sugar Cookies with sprinkles are the epitome of Christmas. These are perfect.

      Reply
    9. Jessica To says

      November 09, 2020 at 4:43 pm

      I like to make 7 layer cookies but my son would prefer a chocolate chip cookie.

      Reply
    10. Steph says

      November 09, 2020 at 9:34 pm

      I lioe sugar cookies I am boring

      Reply
    11. Gwynn Galvin says

      November 09, 2020 at 9:56 pm

      These cookies are so festive and happy!

      Reply
    12. Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck says

      November 09, 2020 at 10:34 pm

      Crunchy sprinkle heaven! The perfect way to celebrate the season!

      Reply
    13. Leela says

      November 10, 2020 at 4:14 am

      I love making big, soft sugar cookies.

      Reply
    14. Cindy says

      November 10, 2020 at 5:24 am

      Sugar cookies are a must bake on my Christmas list. This soft version sounds so good!

      Reply
    15. Jolene says

      November 10, 2020 at 10:16 am

      You definitely can never have too many sprinkles!

      Reply
    16. Inger @ Art of Natural Liivng says

      November 10, 2020 at 9:33 pm

      So cute! Sprinkles make everything better!

      Reply
    17. Jennifer Stewart says

      November 14, 2020 at 5:45 pm

      5 stars
      I love the festive sprinkles! A soft sugar cookie sounds like a perfect holiday treat.

      Reply
    18. Christie says

      November 22, 2020 at 1:48 pm

      What fun cookies! Those sprinkles are so festive.

      Reply
    19. Ellen says

      January 06, 2021 at 6:54 am

      Such a festive cookie! They would never last 7 days in my house!

      Reply
    20. Lorranr says

      November 28, 2022 at 5:20 pm

      These cookies look easy to make and like the perfect holiday treat!!!

      Reply
      • lisa says

        November 29, 2022 at 7:08 am

        Thank you! I love easy cookie recipes!

        Reply
    21. Neen says

      November 29, 2022 at 7:59 am

      When to add sour cream to dough missing from instructions

      Reply
      • lisa says

        November 29, 2022 at 8:03 pm

        Neen,
        Sorry about that! It goes in right with the egg and I fixed the misprint in the recipe.
        Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
        Lisa

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Lisa

    I love creating recipes and cooking for my family and friends. It's great to bring everyone to my kitchen to talk, laugh and eat. I also like to spread my love for cooking to others. So grab an apron and let's do it together. I promise my recipes will be easy and delicious!

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