Baked Sprinkle Butter Cookies

What Makes sprinkle butter cookies So Special

You know that feeling when you bite into a cookie that’s just… perfect? The kind that’s soft and crumbly, with that unmistakable, rich butteriness that makes you close your eyes for a second? That’s the magic of a great sprinkle butter cookies recipe. It’s not just a cookie; it’s a little edible celebration.

For me, these festive butter cookies are the unofficial start of the holiday season. My grandma would always have a tin full of them, and the second you popped the lid, colorful sprinkles would just spill out. I’m pretty sure her secret was an extra dash of vanilla and a whole lot of love. But honestly, can you even have a Christmas cookie exchange without them?

Ingredients for sprinkle butter cookies

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to cookie bliss. Make sure everything is at room temperature for the best texture! Here’s your shopping list:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups multi-colored holiday sprinkles

Cook Time for these classic holiday sprinkle butter cookies

Wondering how long you’ll be waiting for your kitchen to smell amazing? These easy sprinkle cookies come together super quickly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes per batch
• Total Time: About 25 minutes (plus cooling)

It’s the perfect quick bake when you need a last-minute treat for a party. FYI, if you love the flavor of compound butter in your recipes, you’ll adore the pure, buttery base of these cookies.

How to Make sprinkle butter cookies

Ready to create some magic? Follow these steps for the most colorful butter cookies on the block.

Step 1: Prep Your Station

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a dream.

Step 2: Cream the Good Stuff

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is the most important step for that perfect texture, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined. That vanilla is the secret weapon for that classic, warm cookie flavor.

Step 4: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures the baking powder and salt are evenly distributed so every cookie rises perfectly.

Step 5: Combine to Form Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, or your cookies might get tough.

Step 6: The Fun Part – Sprinkles!

Place the holiday sprinkles in a shallow bowl. Roll tablespoon-sized pieces of dough into balls, then roll each ball in the sprinkles to coat completely. Go on, use more sprinkles than you think you need. 🙂

Step 7: Shape and Space

Place the coated dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets and gently flatten slightly with your hand. This helps them bake evenly into perfect little discs.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll be soft but will firm up as they cool!

Pro Tips & Tasty Tweaks

I’ve made these more times than I can count, and here’s what I’ve learned to make them truly unforgettable.

• Flavor Swap: Try using almond extract instead of vanilla for a different, nutty twist. It’s delicious!
• Diet Tweak: For a slightly different buttery treat, check out my buttered popcorn recipe if you’re looking for a savory snack later.
• Prep Fix: If your dough is too sticky, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes. It makes rolling much easier.
• Storage Tip: These freeze beautifully! IMO, making a double batch is always the move.

Nutrition and Health Benefits

Look, I’m not going to tell you these are a health food. But I will say that joy is an important part of a balanced diet, and these cookies deliver it in spades. They’re a treat, perfect for sharing and celebrating.

That said, everything in moderation, right? The recipe uses simple ingredients, and you control what goes in. For a more savory use of butter, my cowboy butter is fantastic on steak and veggies.

Curious about other festive treats? Cooked by Julie has a great roundup of Christmas cookie ideas for every taste.

A Lighter Version of festive butter cookies

Can I make these Christmas sprinkle cookies a bit healthier? Absolutely! With a few simple swaps, you can create a slightly lighter version.

You can replace half the butter with applesauce or Greek yogurt for a softer, cake-like cookie. For sugar, a 1:1 substitute like monk fruit sweetener works well, though it might change the color slightly.

For other recipe inspiration that plays with flavors, my cowboy butter chicken linguine is a family favorite. And for more classic cookie ideas, Bless This Mess Please has wonderful options.

Thoughtful Tips for Special Diets

Baking for friends or family with dietary needs? No problem. Here’s how you can adapt this recipe.

For diabetic or low sugar needs, use a sugar substitute as mentioned above. This helps with glycemic control.

A gluten-free 1:1 flour blend works perfectly in place of all-purpose flour. For a sugar-free option, stevia can be used, but be sure to follow the conversion chart on the package.

How to Serve sprinkle butter cookies

These cookies are stars on their own, but I love serving them with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee. They are the ultimate festive butter cookies for any party platter.

Stack them high on a vintage cake stand for a real showstopper effect at your next Christmas cookie exchange. They also pair wonderfully with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream for a next-level dessert.

For another great cookie option to add to your spread, The Stay At Home Chef has an amazing chocolate crinkle cookie recipe.

Mistakes to Avoid

Even the best bakers can have a cookie mishap. Here’s how to avoid the common pitfalls and ensure your sprinkle butter cookies are perfect every time.

• Using melted butter: Your butter must be softened, not melted. Melted butter will make the dough spread too much and become greasy.
• Overbaking: Take them out when the edges are *just* golden. They might look underdone in the center, but they’ll set as they cool.
• Not creaming long enough: Cream the butter and sugar for a full 2-3 minutes. This incorporates air, which gives you that lovely soft texture.

Remember, baking is a science, but it’s also an art. Don’t stress too much!

How to Store sprinkle butter cookies

To keep your colorful butter cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfect for up to a week.

You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a bag to prevent sticking. You can even freeze the dough balls before rolling in sprinkles for a ready-to-bake treat!

Try This sprinkle butter cookies Yourself

I really hope you give these festive butter cookies a try. There’s something so wonderfully simple and happy about them.

They bring people together and make any day a little brighter. So preheat that oven, pour out those sprinkles, and bake a batch of pure joy.

Frequently Asked Questions