If you’re on the hunt for a delightful treat that brings a burst of color and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, this Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe is just what you need. Imagine soft, buttery sugar cookies generously dotted with cheerful sprinkles that add a little crunch and festive flair to every bite. These cookies are easy to whip up and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy night in, a party, or just a moment when you need a sweet pick-me-up. Let me take you through this Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe that’s guaranteed to become your new favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, straightforward, and each ingredient plays a starring role in creating the perfect texture, sweet flavor, and that iconic sugar cookie base. From the creamy butter to the sparkling sugar coating, every component is a building block of deliciousness.
- Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds richness and tenderness to your cookies, making them delightfully soft.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Sweetens the dough and helps create a perfect sugar crust when rolling the dough balls.
- Brown sugar (3 tbsp): Brings a subtle molasses flavor and moisture for chewy goodness.
- Egg white (1 large): Binds the ingredients together and keeps the cookies light and airy.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Infuses the dough with warm, comforting flavor that’s classic in sugar cookies.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The backbone of the dough, providing structure without toughness.
- Baking soda (1/2 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just enough to stay soft and tender.
- Baking powder (1/4 tsp): Works alongside baking soda for a gentle lift.
- Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Sprinkles (1/3 cup): The star of the show, adding vibrant pops of color and fun texture.
- Additional granulated sugar: For rolling the dough balls to get that sparkly, sweet outer crunch.
How to Make Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Space
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple preparation step prevents sticking and helps your cookies bake evenly, setting you up for success right from the start.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process, which takes about 2-3 minutes, creates air pockets within the dough so your cookies turn out tender and perfectly textured.
Step 3: Mix in the Egg White and Vanilla
Next, add the egg white and vanilla extract to your buttery sugar mixture. Beat just for 30 seconds or until everything is blended smoothly—this brings moisture and a lovely aroma to your cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Carefully
Slowly add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the wet ingredients. Mix gently just until the flour disappears. Overmixing can make your cookies dense, so take care to keep the dough nice and tender instead.
Step 5: Fold in the Sprinkles and Shape the Dough
Gently fold the colorful sprinkles into the dough for that joyful burst of fun in every bite. Then, scoop out dough balls about 2 tablespoons in size, roll each in granulated sugar to add sparkle and a little crunch, and space them evenly on your prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your sprinkle sugar cookies for 8 minutes. They’ll look a bit soft when you take them out, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool, creating that lovely tender bite we all love.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes to set properly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool fully. After that, it’s time to indulge or package them up as a wonderful homemade gift!
How to Serve Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, consider dusting your cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar after baking. You can also drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the top to make them look even more enticing. Edible glitter can add some whimsical sparkle perfect for parties or holidays.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a hot cup of tea or cozy milk. For a decadent dessert setup, serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dollops of whipped cream for complementary textures and flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Display your Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe on a colorful platter or stack them in a clear jar tied with a ribbon for a charming gift. You can even sandwich small dollops of frosting between two cookies for delightful cookie sandwiches.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cookies fresh and tasty, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Adding a slice of bread to the container helps maintain moisture, keeping the cookies soft and chewy longer.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the dough balls before baking. Simply shape them, roll in sugar, place on parchment-lined trays, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags. When you’re ready, bake directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
Warm cookies for just a few seconds in the microwave or a gentle oven heat to refresh their soft texture and melt those sprinkles slightly for an irresistible treat.
FAQs
Can I use regular eggs instead of just egg whites?
Yes! Using a whole egg instead of just the egg white will make the cookies a bit richer and slightly denser but still delicious. Just know that it might change the texture a touch.
What kind of sprinkles work best?
Any small, colorful jimmies or nonpareils are perfect because they distribute evenly throughout the dough and withstand baking without losing their color or crunch.
Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Definitely! Adding a few drops of your favorite food coloring to the wet ingredients before mixing in the flour is a fun way to customize the cookies and make them more vibrant.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for up to one week at room temperature. For longer storage, just freeze the dough or baked cookies as mentioned earlier.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can try substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum, but the texture may vary slightly. It’s best to experiment with your preferred gluten-free flour brand for ideal results.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about homemade sprinkle sugar cookies that brighten any day with their cheerful colors and tender sweetness. This Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe brings together simple ingredients and straightforward steps to deliver a batch of cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat. I can’t wait for you to try this recipe and make it your own – trust me, your kitchen and your loved ones will thank you!
Print
Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are soft, tender, and perfectly sweet with a delightful crunch from the sugar coating and colorful sprinkles throughout. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and baked to golden perfection, these cookies are perfect for sharing or enjoying as a cheerful treat any time of year.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 large egg white
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup sprinkles
For Coating
- Additional granulated sugar, for rolling dough balls
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and set it aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step helps create tender cookies with a perfect texture.
- Add Egg White and Vanilla: Add the egg white and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix again for about 30 seconds or until fully incorporated, ensuring an even flavor and moisture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix just until the flour disappears to avoid overworking the dough, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Sprinkles and Portion Dough: Gently fold the sprinkles into the dough. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon (about 2 tablespoons), scoop out equally sized dough portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then roll in granulated sugar for extra sparkle and crunch. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. They will look soft but will firm up during cooling.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies rest on it for 5-10 minutes. This helps them set perfectly. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container to keep fresh.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy creaming.
- Do not overmix after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
- Rolling the dough balls in granulated sugar adds a lovely texture and sparkle on top.
- Spacing dough balls 2 inches apart prevents cookies from sticking together as they bake.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to avoid breakage.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
