Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are the ultimate festive treat that brings holiday cheer with every bite. These cookies are a joyful combination of creamy richness and sweet crunch, thanks to the cream cheese base and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, or cozy nights by the fire, these cookies are not just easy to make but also irresistibly delicious. With a tender texture and a burst of color, these cookies will brighten up your dessert tray and win the hearts of kids and adults alike.
Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
These cookies offer everything you could want in a holiday treat: a soft, cake-like texture, a subtly tangy richness from cream cheese, and festive bursts of sprinkles in every bite. They’re easy to make, freeze beautifully, and are always a hit at parties. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just craving a sweet seasonal snack, these cookies are guaranteed to satisfy. Plus, they’re incredibly customizable with different sprinkle mixes and flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup sprinkles, divided
Step-by-Step: How to Make Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Prep the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredient mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Add sprinkles: Gently fold in 1/3 cup of the sprinkles.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Shape cookies: Roll dough into balls using about 2 tablespoons of dough each. Flatten the tops slightly and add remaining sprinkles on top.
- Bake: Place cookies 3 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Helpful Tips
- If the dough becomes too hard to scoop after chilling overnight, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added to maintain a tender texture.
- Use festive holiday-themed sprinkles for a seasonal look.
- Flattening the cookies slightly before baking ensures even spreading and consistent shape.
Substitutions And Variations
- Butter: Swap unsalted butter for salted and reduce the added salt to just a pinch.
- Sprinkles: Use nonpareils, jimmies, or even colored sugar crystals depending on your preference.
- Flavor twist: Try adding a dash of almond extract or citrus zest for an aromatic variation.
- Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour to make this recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Use wax paper between layers to maintain shape.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Place cooled cookies between layers of wax paper in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thawing: Bring to room temperature for 1 hour or thaw overnight in the fridge.
Nutritional Information
Approximate values per cookie (based on a yield of 36 cookies):
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 70mg
Please note that nutritional values are estimates and can vary depending on specific ingredients used.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a hot cup of cocoa or peppermint tea for a cozy holiday snack.
- Package in clear treat bags tied with ribbon for a homemade holiday gift.
- Create a Christmas cookie platter with a variety of seasonal cookies, including gingerbread and snickerdoodles.
- Add a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra festive touch before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough up to 48 hours in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
Can I freeze the cookie dough instead of the baked cookies?
Yes, you can! Simply scoop the dough into individual balls and freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw—just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time. Keep in mind that the cookies might be slightly less tender than freshly baked ones.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
Cream cheese is essential for the texture and flavor, but in a pinch, you can substitute with an equal amount of softened butter. The cookies will still be delicious but slightly less tender.
Are these cookies suitable for decorating with icing?
These cookies are best enjoyed with sprinkles, but a light drizzle of icing can be added once cooled.
Conclusion
Thank you for stopping by to try these Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies! They’re one of my favorite festive treats to bake, and I hope they bring as much joy to your home as they do to mine. The combination of soft texture, rich flavor, and colorful sprinkles makes them a true holiday classic. Whether you’re baking for friends, family, or just for yourself, I’m so happy to share this recipe with you. Happy baking, and may your holiday season be filled with sweetness and joy!
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Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
Description
Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are soft, festive, and filled with colorful sprinkles—perfect for holiday baking fun!
Ingredients
2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
8 ounces (226 g) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup sprinkles, divided
Instructions
- Prep the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the dry ingredient mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Add sprinkles: Gently fold in 1/3 cup of the sprinkles.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Shape cookies: Roll dough into balls using about 2 tablespoons of dough each. Flatten the tops slightly and add remaining sprinkles on top.
- Bake: Place cookies 3 inches apart on the baking sheets and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
If dough is too firm after chilling, let it rest at room temp for 10 minutes.
Store in an airtight container up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Let frozen cookies thaw before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cookies
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 2g