Our kids LOVE everything sprinkle – especially these sprinkle sugar cookies!
Each bite is a soft, sweet sugar cookie explosion, jazzed up with a rainbow of colorful sprinkles mixed right into the dough. And the best part? They’re easy to make! We started with a basic sugar cookie (with a short chill time) and ditched the frosting, to make it even more simple.
Whether you’re having a big birthday bash or a small family gathering, these cookies are a simple yet special treat that fits right in.
For more sprinkle cookie fun, try our 3-ingredient Sugar Cookies and Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Make any day a fun day! They’re easy to grab, fun to eat, and they just scream “celebration!” Even better, they are super soft and perfectly sweet.
- Extra easy. These easy cookies are ready to share in only an hour, and the dough can easily be made and chilled ahead of time! Plus, they’re super kid-friendly (and let’s be honest, adult-friendly too!
- For birthdays! What makes these sprinkle sugar cookies so perfect for birthdays? Well, they’re inherently festive!
Sprinkle Sugar Cookie Ingredients
- Butter, softened (½ cup): Creams light with sugar for a soft, tender crumb.
- Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens and helps the edges set delicately crisp.
- Egg, large (1): Binds the dough and adds moisture for chew.
- Vanilla (1 teaspoon): Warm bakery aroma that rounds out sweetness.
- Flour (1½ cups): Structure for a cookie that holds shape yet stays soft.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances sweetness and brightens flavor.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Gentle lift for a slightly puffy cookie.
- Baking soda (½ teaspoon): Aids spread and browning for perfect texture.
- Cream of tartar (½ teaspoon): Adds subtle tang and tenderness, classic sugar cookie vibe.
- Rainbow sprinkles (½ cup): Colorful crunch in every bite, and extra on top for sparkle.
How to Make Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
PREP. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
BATTER. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer (using the paddle attachment) cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar, and mix until the dry ingredients are incorporated and a dough forms. Fold in sprinkles until well distributed.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
BAKE. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls (we usually do this with a cookie scoop) and place on the prepared baking sheets, sprinkling with additional sprinkles if desired.
- Bake 10 minutes. Remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to wire racks. The cookies will look very soft and undercooked when pulled out, but they will cook more as they cool on the pan. Enjoy!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- We used soft rainbow jimmies; for a crunchier texture, try using nonpareil sprinkles. Holiday-shaped sprinkles are also fun to use.
- Use a gentle hand folding in sprinkles so colors do not streak.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps the flavors meld.
- Easily switch up the flavor of the dough by using different types of extracts, like almond or lemon extract.
- Pull at 10 minutes while centers look soft, they finish on the pan.
- For bakery looks, press a few extra sprinkles on top right before baking.
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1½ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar, and mix until a dough forms. Fold in sprinkles until well distributed.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheets, sprinkling with additional sprinkles if desired.
- Bake 10 minutes, then remove and let cool for 5-10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a cooling rack. The cookies will look very soft and undercooked when you pull them out, but they will cook more as they cool on the pan. Enjoy!
Notes
- We used soft rainbow jimmies; for a crunchier texture, try using nonpareil sprinkles. Holiday-shaped sprinkles are also fun to use.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and helps the flavors meld.
- Easily switch up the flavor of the dough by using different types of extracts, like almond or lemon extract.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
The cookie dough can be mixed up ahead of time, covered, and refrigerated for 1-2 days. You can also store cookie dough balls in the freezer for 3-4 months. See How to Freeze Cookie Dough for tips.
Baked cookies can be stored in an airtight container for about 4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
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This recipe was first shared May, 2025.
I want a plate of these right now! And such an adaptable recipe; you could change the sprinkles to match the holiday. Thanks!
Totally could! That’s why I love them! Hope you try them soon! Thank you!