The holiday season often brings a whirlwind of activity, from festive gatherings to gift-wrapping marathons. Amidst the joyous chaos, one cherished tradition stands out: leaving freshly baked cookies for Santa. This year, if your holiday baking schedule feels overwhelming and you’ve found yourself short on time, don’t fret! These delightful Christmas sprinkle cookies are your ultimate solution for a quick, easy, and incredibly festive last-minute treat that both Santa and your loved ones will adore.
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Christmas Sprinkle Cookies: Your Go-To Holiday Recipe
In the spirit of making life easier, especially during the bustling holidays, these Christmas sprinkle cookies are designed for effortless baking. You don’t need fancy mixes or complicated techniques; this recipe is made entirely from scratch with just 8 simple ingredients and comes together in about 30 minutes, ensuring you have more time for holiday cheer and less time stressed in the kitchen. Whether you’re preparing for a festive party, a cozy family night, or just aiming to fill your cookie jar with holiday joy, these cookies promise to deliver soft, chewy perfection with every bite.
What makes these cookies truly stand out? My not-so-secret ingredient is cornstarch, which plays a crucial role in giving these cookies their irresistibly soft and delightfully chewy texture. If you’ve ever struggled with hard or crumbly cookies, cornstarch is your hero! While I highly recommend trying it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of all-purpose flour if you don’t have it on hand. A hint of almond extract adds a sophisticated, nutty depth that beautifully complements the sweetness, though classic vanilla extract works just as wonderfully if that’s your preference. So, gather your vibrant red and green Christmas sprinkles, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bake a batch of holiday magic!
The Magic Behind Perfect Sprinkle Cookies: Ingredients & Equipment
Essential Ingredients for Festive Flavor
Creating truly memorable Christmas sprinkle cookies starts with selecting quality ingredients and understanding their role. Each component contributes to the cookie’s texture, flavor, and overall festive appeal.
- All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our cookies. Ensure it’s fresh for the best results.
- Cornstarch: Our secret weapon! It helps create an incredibly soft and tender crumb, making these cookies wonderfully chewy. Don’t skip it if you can help it!
- Baking Soda: This leavening agent ensures your cookies rise beautifully and achieve that perfect, slightly puffed shape.
- Salted Butter (Room Temperature): Using salted butter adds a lovely balance to the sweetness. Bringing it to room temperature is crucial for proper creaming, which incorporates air and creates a light texture. If using unsalted butter, add a pinch more salt to the dry ingredients.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve that desirable crisp edge while keeping the center soft.
- Large Eggs (Room Temperature): Room temperature eggs blend more evenly into the butter mixture, creating a smoother, more cohesive dough.
- Almond Extract: Offers a distinct, delightful flavor that pairs wonderfully with holiday treats. Alternatively, use vanilla extract for a more classic taste.
- Christmas Sprinkles: The star of the show! Choose red and green sprinkles for a traditional look, or get creative with any festive colors and shapes you love.
Must-Have Baking Equipment
Having the right tools can make your baking experience smoother and more enjoyable, especially when aiming for consistent results.
- Stand Mixer: A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal for creaming butter and sugar efficiently, ensuring a light and fluffy base for your dough. A hand mixer can also work wonders.
- Baking Sheets: You’ll need two large baking sheets to accommodate all the cookies, allowing you to bake them in batches.
- Parchment Paper: Lining your baking sheets with parchment paper prevents sticking, ensures even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Medium Bowl & Whisk: For combining your dry ingredients thoroughly before adding them to the wet mixture.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to baking success.
- Cookie Scoop (optional): A 1-tablespoon cookie scoop helps create uniformly sized cookies, ensuring they bake evenly.
- Wire Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing your freshly baked cookies to cool completely, preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
Crafting Your Christmas Sprinkle Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Making these festive sprinkle cookies is a straightforward process, perfect for bakers of all skill levels. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfectly soft, chewy, and beautifully adorned holiday treats.
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare Your Workspace
Begin by preheating your oven to a precise 400°F (200°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature when your cookies are ready to bake, which is crucial for even cooking. While the oven heats, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This step prevents your cookies from sticking and allows for easy cleanup. Set the prepared baking sheets aside, ready for the cookie dough.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients for a Fluffy Foundation
In a medium-sized bowl, meticulously whisk together 2½ cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Whisking ensures that these dry ingredients are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed, which is vital for the cookies’ texture and rise. Once blended, set this bowl aside.
Step 3: Creaming Butter and Sugar to Perfection
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add 1 cup of room temperature salted butter and 1½ cups of granulated sugar. Beat these two ingredients together on medium speed for approximately 4 minutes. The goal here is to cream them until the mixture becomes visibly light, pale, and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the butter, contributing significantly to the final cookie’s soft and tender texture.
Step 4: Incorporating Eggs & Extract for Richness
Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add 2 large room temperature eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture before adding the next. This gradual addition helps maintain the emulsion and prevents the mixture from separating. Once the eggs are combined, stir in 1 teaspoon of almond extract. Mix until just combined to infuse your dough with that wonderful festive aroma.
Step 5: Gently Folding in the Dry Mix
With the mixer still on low, slowly pour the previously whisked dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no streaks of flour are visible.
Step 6: Portioning and Shaping Your Cookie Dough
Using a cookie scoop (or your hands), take about 1 heaping tablespoon of cookie dough for each cookie. Roll the dough into smooth balls. Gently flatten each ball slightly with your palm. This step helps the cookies spread evenly during baking and provides a better surface for holding sprinkles.
Step 7: The Sprinkle Spectacle: Coating Your Cookies
Pour 1½ cups of your chosen Christmas sprinkles onto a shallow plate. Take each slightly flattened cookie dough ball and roll or gently press it into the sprinkles, ensuring it is completely coated. This creates that wonderfully festive and colorful exterior that makes these cookies so appealing. Make sure the sprinkles adhere well to the dough.
Step 8: Arranging and Baking to Golden Perfection
Place the sprinkle-coated cookie dough balls onto your prepared baking sheets, ensuring you leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This allows them to spread without merging into one another. Bake for 8-11 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden brown. The cookies should look set but still soft in the center when removed from the oven, as they will continue to cook slightly on the hot baking sheet.
Step 9: Cooling for Optimal Texture
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven but allow them to cool on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes. This crucial step allows them to firm up slightly, preventing them from breaking when you transfer them. After 5 minutes, carefully move the cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy their delightful aroma as they cool, knowing you’ve created a truly special holiday treat!
Expert Tips for Christmas Cookie Success
Achieving bakery-quality Christmas sprinkle cookies is easier than you think with a few simple tricks up your sleeve. These tips will help you bake a batch that’s consistently delicious and perfectly festive:
- Embrace Your Inner Artist with Sprinkles: While traditional red and green Christmas sprinkles are charming, feel free to use any holiday sprinkles that spark joy! Think silver and gold, iridescent flakes, or even a mix of themed shapes like snowflakes or stars. The goal is to make these cookies uniquely yours and perfectly suited to your holiday aesthetic.
- Mastering the Bake Time: Keep a close eye on your cookies as they bake. Ovens can vary, so check your cookies at the 8-minute mark. They should have lightly golden-brown edges but still appear soft in the center. If they aren’t quite ready, allow them to bake for an additional 2-3 minutes. Overbaking can lead to dry, less chewy cookies, so err on the side of slightly underbaked for maximum softness.
- The Gentle Cool-Down: Patience is a virtue when it comes to cooling cookies. Allowing your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for the initial five minutes is essential. This gives them time to firm up and set, preventing them from falling apart when transferred. After this initial rest, move them to a wire rack for complete cooling to prevent condensation and ensure a crisp bottom.
- Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: This can’t be stressed enough! Butter and eggs at room temperature emulsify better, creating a smoother, more uniform dough and a superior cookie texture. Plan ahead and take them out of the refrigerator an hour or two before you start baking.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies. A gentle touch ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Consider Chilling the Dough (Optional): If you have extra time, chilling the cookie dough for 30 minutes to an hour can help prevent over-spreading and result in thicker, chewier cookies. This is especially useful in warmer kitchens.
Storage, Freezing, and Make-Ahead Magic
These Christmas sprinkle cookies are fantastic fresh out of the oven, but they also store beautifully, making them an excellent candidate for holiday meal prep or for enjoying long after the festive season. Here’s how to maximize their shelf life and convenience:
Storing Baked Cookies
To maintain their optimal freshness, store leftover Christmas sprinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain wonderfully soft and delicious for up to 5 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent them from drying out and losing their delightful chewiness.
Freezing for Future Feasts
If you’re planning ahead or have an abundance of cookies, freezing is an excellent option:
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. When ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw at room temperature.
- Freezing Raw Dough: For ultimate convenience, you can also freeze the raw cookie dough. Prepare the dough as instructed, then scoop and roll the dough balls. You can even coat them in sprinkles before freezing if desired. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, or let them thaw slightly in the refrigerator before baking. This is a fantastic way to have fresh, warm cookies on demand!
Make-Ahead Tips for Stress-Free Holidays
The ability to prepare these cookies in advance is a game-changer for busy holiday schedules. Bake a few batches, store them properly, and you’ll have delicious treats ready for unexpected guests, school events, or simply a cozy evening. Freezing the dough is particularly useful for holiday entertaining, as you can bake fresh cookies whenever a craving strikes without all the initial prep work.
Delightful Variations to Customize Your Holiday Treat
While the classic Christmas sprinkle cookies are perfect as is, they also serve as a wonderful base for creative variations. Feel free to experiment and tailor them to your family’s preferences or specific holiday themes:
- Flavor Extracts: Swap almond extract for other festive flavors. Peppermint extract can add a refreshing wintery note, or a touch of orange zest or extract can bring a bright, citrusy twist. For a rich, warm flavor, a high-quality vanilla bean paste can also elevate the taste.
- Chocolatey Goodness: Fold in ½ cup of white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or even chopped dark chocolate into the dough along with the dry ingredients. The melting chocolate will create pockets of gooey deliciousness within the soft cookie.
- Nutty Additions: For those who enjoy a bit of crunch, gently fold in ½ cup of finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Toasting the nuts lightly beforehand can enhance their flavor.
- Glaze or Icing: While sprinkles provide plenty of decoration, a simple drizzle of a thin powdered sugar glaze (made with powdered sugar, milk, and a splash of extract) can add an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal. You could even use colored glazes to match your sprinkle theme.
- Different Holiday Themes: Don’t limit these to Christmas! Use red, white, and blue sprinkles for a Fourth of July celebration, pastel sprinkles for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween. This versatile recipe can be adapted for any festive occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Even simple recipes can sometimes raise questions. Here are answers to some common queries about making Christmas sprinkle cookies:
- Why are my cookies flat? Flat cookies can be caused by several factors:
- Butter that is too soft (melted) or too warm.
- Not enough flour (ensure accurate measurements).
- Old or inactive leavening agents (baking soda).
- Over-creaming the butter and sugar, incorporating too much air that then collapses.
- Not chilling the dough (if your kitchen is warm or if you prefer a thicker cookie).
- Can I use unsalted butter? Yes, you can. If using unsalted butter, I recommend adding ¼ to ½ teaspoon of fine salt to your dry ingredients to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
- What if I don’t have a stand mixer? A hand mixer will work just as well, though it might take a little longer to cream the butter and sugar to a light and fluffy consistency. If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can cream the butter and sugar by hand with a sturdy whisk or a wooden spoon, though it will require more effort.
- Can I use gluten-free flour? While this recipe hasn’t been specifically tested with gluten-free flour, many all-purpose gluten-free flour blends can be used as a 1:1 substitute. Look for blends that contain xanthan gum for best results. Be aware that the texture might vary slightly.
- How do I get the sprinkles to stick? Gently pressing the cookie dough balls into the sprinkles works best. You want a good layer of sprinkles to adhere. If your dough is too dry, they might not stick; ensure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for optimal dough consistency.
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
: 30 minutes
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Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup salted butter room temperature (2 sticks)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1½ cups Christmas sprinkles
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 2 Baking Sheets
- Stand Mixer
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, and baking soda together. Set aside.2½ cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Add the butter and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for about 4 minutes, until the butter is light and fluffy.1 cup salted butter, 1½ cups granulated sugar
- With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is well incorporated. Add the almond extract and mix.2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon almond extract
- Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Scoop and roll about 1 heaping tablespoon of cookie dough into balls, slightly flattening the balls.
- Pour the sprinkles onto a plate. Roll/press each cookie dough ball into the sprinkles, making sure to completely coat the cookie dough.1½ cups Christmas sprinkles
- Place the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 8-11 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Notes
Calories from Fat 90
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There you have it—a comprehensive guide to creating the most delightful, easy, and festive Christmas sprinkle cookies! These cookies are more than just a treat; they’re a symbol of holiday joy, perfect for sharing with family, friends, and even Santa Claus himself. Their soft, chewy texture, combined with vibrant, cheerful sprinkles, makes them an instant classic that will brighten any holiday table.
So, whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner looking for a simple yet impressive recipe, these Christmas sprinkle cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions. Happy baking, and may your holidays be filled with sweetness and joy!