Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
Imported from TikTok
30 minEasy12 servings

Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Festive and addictive simple sugar cookies loaded with holiday sprinkles. They taste just like the classic store-bought Christmas cookies.

Mise turned a cooking video on TikTok into this written step-by-step recipe — 6 ingredients, 7 steps, 30 min, with a generated photo for every step.

Time30min
LevelEasy
Servings12
Method 7 steps
01

In a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

02

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the mixture and beat until well combined.

03

Gradually mix in the flour mixture to form a simple sugar cookie dough.

04

Fold in a generous amount of Christmas sprinkles until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

05

Scoop the dough and roll it into large balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

06

Bake the cookies until the edges are lightly set.

07

Optional: While the cookies are still hot from the oven, swirl a large round cookie cutter around the edges to make them perfectly circular. Let cool before eating.

Mise app icon

Cook it hands-free.

Open this recipe in Mise for full-screen steps, a photo for each one, and built-in timers — no scrubbing through the video.

Open in Mise →
Scan to download
Point your camera here
Notes

These festive sugar cookies deliver a nostalgic experience similar to classic holiday bakery treats. The texture depends entirely on the creaming process where butter and sugar aerate to create a light crumb. While many holiday bakes rely on complex spices, this version focuses on the clean profile of vanilla and buttery richness. The dough is sturdy enough to hold a high density of sprinkles without spreading too thin during the bake. Expect a soft, chewy center with edges that offer a slight crunch when cooled.

Ideal for holiday gatherings or gift tins, these cookies are prized for their visual appeal and consistent results. The inclusion of festive sprinkles throughout the dough provides a colorful mosaic effect in every bite. Using a cookie cutter to swirl the warm cookies ensures a uniform shape that looks professional on a dessert platter. The ease of the method makes this a reliable choice for batch cooking during busy winter months.

Before you start

  • Stop creaming the butter and sugar once the mixture turns pale and expands in volume to ensure the cookies do not end up dense or oily.
  • Add the egg slowly and scrape the bowl sides to ensure the fat and liquid emulsify correctly before you begin incorporating the dry flour mixture.
  • Avoid overmixing once the flour is added because developing too much gluten will make the cookies tough instead of keeping them tender and soft.
  • Check the cookies at the minimum baking time; they are ready when the edges are firm to the touch but the centers still appear slightly underbaked.

Swaps that work

  • Replace granulated sugar with an equal amount of light brown sugar to create a denser, chewier cookie with a mild molasses undertone.
  • Substitute vanilla extract with half the amount of almond extract to give the dough a distinct, nutty aroma and professional bakery flavor.
  • Swap Christmas sprinkles for nonpareils or sanding sugar if you prefer a different crunch texture and a more subtle decorative finish.

Keeping it

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to maintain their soft texture. For longer storage, they freeze well for two months if layered between sheets of parchment paper. To refresh stale cookies, microwave them for ten seconds to soften the butter content. While they are safe to eat for several days, the sprinkles may eventually bleed color into the dough if kept in a humid environment.

Questions

Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?

Excessive spreading usually happens if the butter was too soft or melted before creaming. If your kitchen is warm, chill the rolled dough balls for fifteen minutes before placing them in the oven to help the fats hold their shape while the edges set.

Can I make the dough in advance?

You can prepare the dough up to two days ahead and keep it refrigerated in a sealed container. Bring the dough back to room temperature for twenty minutes before rolling it into balls to ensure the sprinkles distribute evenly and the cookies bake at a consistent rate.

How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding into the dough?

Folding the sprinkles in gently by hand at the very end prevents the color coating from breaking. Use high-quality jimmies rather than nonpareils if you want the colors to remain distinct, as the larger sprinkles are less likely to dissolve during the mixing and baking process.

More recipes
Cook step-by-step in Mise →