Christmas Sugar Cookies (Crumbl Copycat)

Christmas Sugar Cookies are the perfect festive treat to brighten your holiday celebrations. These soft, chewy sugar cookies swirled with creamy frosting and topped with colorful sprinkles evoke cozy winter memories and bring joy to friends and family. Whether you bake them for a holiday party, a gift box, or a cozy night by the fire, this recipe delivers cheerful, delightful cookies that are easy to make and delicious to share. These cookies combine a classic sugar cookie base with a rich cream cheese frosting to create a perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

Why You’ll Love Christmas Sugar Cookies (Crumbl Copycat)

You will love these cookies because they are festive, fun, and absolutely irresistible. The tender sugar cookie base is soft and chewy, not crunchy, and it melts in your mouth with every bite. The cream cheese frosting adds a tangy richness that complements the buttery cookie perfectly. Topped with colorful Christmas sprinkles, these cookies look as joyful as they taste. They are also versatile — you can customize the size, frosting style, or even skip frosting for a simpler cookie. Finally, they are made with everyday pantry ingredients and come together with straightforward steps, making them approachable even for beginner bakers.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies

• 270 g (2¼ cups) all‑purpose flour
• 4 g (1 teaspoon) baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 170 g (¾ cup / 1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened to 68‑72°F
• 200 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 54 g (⅓ cup) Christmas jimmies sprinkles

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 283 g (1¼ bricks / 10 oz) full‑fat cream cheese, softened to 68‑72°F
• 184 g (13 tablespoons) salted butter, softened to 68‑72°F
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 150 g (1¼ cups) powdered sugar, sifted
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) heavy cream, very cold

For the Topping

• 40 g (¼ cup) Christmas sprinkles — jimmies, nonpareils, trees, or any festive mix

Step‑by‑Step: How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookies (Crumbl Copycat)

Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line 2‑3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt by whisking them together.
3. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar at medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl halfway to ensure even mixing.
4. Add the egg along with the vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using), then mix on medium-low speed until just incorporated, about 30 seconds.
5. Add the dry ingredients in two batches to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed each time until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
6. Gently fold in the ⅓ cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles with a spatula until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Portion and Bake

7. Use a 3‑tablespoon cookie scoop (about 48‑50 grams of dough) to portion cookies. Alternatively, for smaller cookies, use a 2‑tablespoon scoop.
8. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
9. Slightly flatten each dough ball with your fingers or the bottom of a glass, keeping cookies at least ½ inch thick.
10. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes — the edges should be set but the tops still soft and no longer glossy. Cookies should not brown.
11. Immediately after removing from the oven, shape each cookie into a perfect circle: gently rotate a cookie cutter or a glass (slightly larger than the cookie) around the edges to bring them in.
12. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. In a stand mixer with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth, creamy, and lump‑free, about 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides as needed.
2. Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing on low just until combined.
3. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar in three parts, each time beating just until incorporated (about 10–15 seconds per addition). Scrape down the bowl as needed.
4. With the mixer still on low, drizzle in the cold heavy cream one tablespoon at a time. Once all cream is added, increase to medium speed and whip until stiff peaks form, about 1 to 1.5 minutes. Do not overwhip — overwhipping may cause the frosting to split or become greasy.

Assemble & Decorate

5. Using a piping bag fitted with a #2A or #1A tip, pipe frosting in a spiral pattern over each cooled cookie, starting from the center and working outward. Alternatively, you can spread frosting with a spatula and create decorative swirls.
6. Just before serving, top each cookie with Christmas sprinkles — jimmies, nonpareils, or tree‑shaped sprinkles for extra festivity.

Helpful Tips

• Make sure both butter and cream cheese are softened to the same temperature (about 68‑72°F). This ensures the frosting mixes smoothly without lumps.
• When adding heavy cream, go low and slow — adding too much too quickly or whipping too aggressively can cause the frosting to break.
• If your frosting becomes grainy or develops air pockets, gently fold in a tablespoon of cold cream with a spatula. If necessary, add more cream one teaspoon at a time until smooth.
• For extra sweetness or thicker frosting, increase powdered sugar to 180–240 g (1½–2 cups) total.
• If you prefer a simpler cookie, skip the frosting entirely — the dough already contains sprinkles, which add a fun crunch and color. You can also roll dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for a crusty, sweet exterior.
• Always bake a test cookie first to gauge your oven’s temperature and how the dough spreads or bakes — ovens vary and this helps avoid overbaking or cookie deformation.

Substitutions And Variations

• Extracts: If you don’t have almond extract, you can omit it or use a few drops of almond‑flavored extract alternative. Alternatively, a small pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg can add a cozy holiday aroma.
• Butter: You can substitute salted butter for unsalted if that’s what you have. Just reduce added salt in the dough by about ⅛ teaspoon.
• Frosting base: For a dairy‑free version, you might try a vegan butter and vegan cream cheese substitute — results will vary, and you may need to chill the frosting before piping.
• Sprinkles: Use any holiday sprinkle mix you love — sugar crystals, stars, or snowflakes all work. If using non‑jimmie sprinkles, be aware they might bleed color into frosting if stored too long.
• Cookie size: Use a smaller scoop (2 tablespoons) for bite‑sized cookies and reduce bake time to 6–9 minutes. For larger cookies, keep the 3‑tablespoon scoop and bake the full 9–11 minutes.
• Frosting style: Instead of piping, you can gently spread the frosting flat and press additional sprinkles on top. Or skip frosting and sandwich two cookies together with frosting for a fun twist.

Storage Instructions

• These cookies are best enjoyed fresh. If you plan to serve them within 1 or 2 hours, leave them at room temperature.
• For longer storage, place frosted cookies in an airtight container and refrigerate — they will stay good for up to 5 days. The cream cheese frosting helps keep them moist and delicious.
• If you want to bake ahead but frost later, freeze the unfrosted cookies in an airtight freezer‑safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw fully at room temperature before frosting.

Nutritional Information (Per Cookie — Approximate for Large, Frosted Cookie)

• Calories: ~230–260 kcal
• Total Fat: ~14–16 g
• Saturated Fat: ~8–9 g
• Carbohydrates: ~25–28 g
• Sugars: ~18–20 g
• Protein: ~2–3 g
• Sodium: ~120–150 mg
  Note: These are estimates. Nutritional values will vary based on cookie size and exact ingredients used.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve these cookies with a warm cup of hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or your favorite holiday tea.
• Package them in festive holiday tins or cello bags tied with ribbon to give as thoughtful homemade gifts.
• Serve them at holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or childhood‑inspired Christmas parties — kids and adults alike will love the soft texture, creamy frosting, and rainbow sprinkles.
• Pair with other holiday treats like gingerbread men, peppermint bark, or sugar‑coated almonds to build a festive dessert spread.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Sugar Cookies (Crumbl Copycat)

Can I make these cookies smaller for bite sized treats?
Absolutely. If you want smaller cookies, use a 2‑tablespoon scoop instead of the 3‑tablespoon scoop. Bake for 6 to 9 minutes instead of 9 to 11. The shorter baking time keeps them soft and chewy.

What if I do not have a stand mixer?
You can use a hand mixer instead. While a whisk alone is not ideal because it won’t cream the butter properly, a hand mixer with paddle or standard beaters will work fine and still give you fluffy, even dough.

Will the sprinkles bleed into the frosting?
If you use jimmies (string‑like sprinkles), they usually hold up well for a few hours or even overnight in the fridge without bleeding. However nonpareils, colored sugars, or holiday shapes may bleed over time, especially on moist frosting. For best results, add sprinkles just before serving.

Can I skip the frosting altogether?
Yes. The dough itself — enriched with butter, sugar, and sprinkles — is delicious on its own and makes a great cookie. You can even roll dough balls in granulated sugar before baking for a simple sugar‑coated version. For a different twist, sandwich two cookies with a layer of frosting for a festive sugar cookie sandwich.

How can I store leftover cookies so they stay soft?
Store frosted cookies in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. For unfrosted cookies, freeze them in a sealed container for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and frost as desired.

Conclusion

Thank you for baking along with me and trying this Christmas Sugar Cookies Crumbl Copycat recipe. I hope every bite brings a little festive magic to your home — soft, buttery cookies topped with creamy frosting and cheerful sprinkles. This recipe is one I truly enjoy making for holidays and special occasions, and I love sharing it with you. I hope you find the process as joyful and simple as the result is delicious. Happy baking and enjoy every sweet, sprinkle‑covered moment.

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