The Ultimate Soft-Batch Sprinkle Sugar Cookies (Better Than Bakery!)
These soft and chewy sprinkle sugar cookies bring joy to any occasion! Made with simple ingredients and plenty of rainbow sprinkles, they stay perfectly soft for days. The recipe is easy enough for beginner bakers but delivers bakery-worthy results every time.
As a mom who loves baking with my kids, these sprinkled sugar cookies have become our go-to recipe for creating sweet memories in the kitchen.
I love how the dough comes together easily with basic pantry ingredients, making it perfect for spontaneous baking sessions when the craving hits or for any fun family gathering.
The rainbow sprinkles add such a festive touch, and my children’s faces light up every time we make them—whether it’s for after-school treats, birthday celebrations, or holiday cookie exchanges.
If you love holiday baking as mochas we do, try out this delicious pumpkin chai bread, easy quick cinnamon rolls, cut-out sugar cookies with buttercream icing, and this delish homemade hot cocoa recipe!
What Are Soft and Chewy Sprinkle Sugar Cookies?
These delightful cookies are a colorful twist on classic sugar cookies. They feature a buttery, tender crumb that stays soft for days.
They’re generously studded with rainbow sprinkles that add both visual appeal and a subtle crunch to every bite.
Unlike crispy sugar cookies, these are intentionally soft and chewy thanks to the perfect ratio of butter to flour and the careful mixing technique that prevents tough cookies.
Why Make These Soft and Chewy Sprinkle Sugar Cookies?
These cookies are the perfect balance of simplicity and joy, requiring basic ingredients that deliver impressive results. They’re incredibly forgiving for beginning bakers but sophisticated enough to impress at any gathering with family and friends. Plus, they stay soft and fresh for up to a week when stored properly!
- Simple ingredients; spectacular results: These cookies use common pantry staples to create bakery-worthy cookies.
- Kid-friendly fun: These are perfect for baking with children (of any age!), with sprinkles adding excitement.
- Make-ahead magic: The cookie dough freezes beautifully for up to 3 months for last-minute treats.
- Consistently perfect: This reliable recipe turns out soft and chewy cookies every time.
- Versatile treat: Great for everyday snacking, parties, or gifting to friends and family.
- Fun to gift: These cookies are so colorful and fluffy-no one can resist them! This make them a great option for gifting and sharing.
If for no other reason, make these cookies for the fun memories! I personally remember baking Christmas cookies with my mom, sister, and grandmother every year. I looked forward to the event and all the fun we would have baking! Now, we continue the tradition in our own home.
Sprinkle Sugar Cookie Ingredients
- Butter: You’ll want unsalted for this recipe. If you don’t have unsalted, you can use salted butter and omit the salt from the recipe.
- Granulated sugar: If you choose to use a coarser sugar like coconut or sucanat, it is helpful to run it through the blender or food processor to get finer granules. You can use it in either form, but the bigger sugar crystals result in a slightly different end texture.
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour: I like to buy pantry staples like organic flour, maple syrup, and vanilla extract from Azure Standard or Thrive Market because of the great prices.
- Baking soda, Baking powder: These act as leavening agents to help the cookies become soft and fluffy.
- Salt
- Rainbow sprinkles: We adore rainbow sprinkles for these cookies, but choose whatever you like best! Mixing in the red and green for the holidays is always a fun twist.
Sprinkle Sugar Cookie Variations
- Holiday theme: Swap rainbow sprinkles for seasonal colors (red and green for Christmas; orange and black for Halloween).
- Birthday blast: Use confetti sprinkles and add ½ teaspoon almond extract for a birthday cake flavor.
- Double the sprinkles: Roll the dough balls in extra sprinkles before baking for even more confetti.
- Vegan friendly or gluten-free: To make this recipe vegan, simply use a flax egg and vegan butter. To make gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. I like the one from Bob’s Red Mill!
How to Store Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Proper storage ensures your sprinkle sugar cookies stay fresh, soft, and delicious for days. Here’s how to keep them at their best:
- Room Temperature Storage: Once the cookies have completely cooled, place them in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent the sprinkles from smudging or sticking. (This is especially important if you add icing!) Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: While refrigeration isn’t necessary for these cookies, you can refrigerate them in an airtight container to extend their freshness up to a week. Allow cookies to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: If you’d like to freeze the baked cookies, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1–2 hours. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with parchment paper between layers. They can be stored for up to 3 months.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: If you’d like to freeze the dough, portion it into balls, and freeze on a baking sheet. If desired, roll them in sprinkles before freezing. Once frozen, store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When you want to bake them, bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 1–2 minutes to the bake time.
Tips for Reviving Baked Cookies
- If cookies become slightly dry, place a slice of bread in the storage container to add moisture.
- To enjoy that “just-baked” taste, warm them in the microwave for 5–10 seconds.
By following these tips, you can enjoy your sprinkle sugar cookies fresh, whether you’re saving them for later or preparing in advance!
I hope you love this recipe!
Soft and Chewy Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
These soft and chewy sugar cookies are perfectly butter with crisp edges, soft centers, and plenty of colorful rainbow sprinkles throughout.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (or your favorite type of sprinkles)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of a stand mixer as needed. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold the sprinkles into the cookie dough using a spatula or a wooden spoon, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Roll the dough out onto a piece of parchemnt unt about 1/2 inch thick, then cut into shapes, if desired. (We did stars in this recipe!)
- If not cutting into shapes, simply roll about 1 & 1/2 tablespoons of dough into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. If you want a slightly flatter cookie, gently press down on the top of each dough ball with your fingers.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still look soft. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Swap rainbow sprinkles for seasonal colors.
- Use confetti sprinkles and add ½ teaspoon almond extract for a birthday cake flavor.
- You can roll the cookie dough balls in extra sprinkles before baking for an even more colorful appearance.
- Store the sprinkled sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
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