Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe

These Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles are a holiday classic in my house. They’re soft, chewy, and packed with vanilla flavor, with a festive touch from colorful sprinkles. I love how easy they are to make, with just a few simple ingredients and no chilling time required. They’re the perfect treat for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy night in with a cup of hot cocoa.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles

• Simple and Delicious: These cookies are incredibly easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients. But don’t let the simplicity fool you, the flavors are amazing!
• Festive and Fun: The colorful sprinkles make these cookies perfect for the holiday season.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are great for bake sales, potlucks, or just a casual get-together with friends and family.
• Freezer-Friendly: You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months, making them a great make-ahead treat for the holidays.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles

Here’s what I use to make these delightful cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter for baking so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Shortening: This helps to create a soft and tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our cookie dough.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: This is the secret ingredient that gives these cookies their unique texture and flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
• Christmas Sprinkles: Adds a festive touch and a pop of color.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:

• Different Flavors: Use different flavors of pudding mix, like chocolate or pistachio.
• Chocolate Chips: Add some chocolate chips to the dough for extra chocolatey goodness.
• Chopped Nuts: Mix in some chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
• Different Sprinkles: Use different types of sprinkles, like nonpareils or sanding sugar.

How to Make Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

I start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, I cream together the softened butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy. Then, I beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and instant pudding mix until well combined. In a separate bowl, I whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. I gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

Step 3: Coat in Sprinkles

I place the sprinkles in a small, shallow bowl. Then, I use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to scoop out the dough and roll it into balls. I roll each dough ball in the sprinkles until it’s fully coated.

Step 4: Bake

I place the sprinkle-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets and bake them for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden brown.

Step 5: Cool and Enjoy

I let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.¹

Tips and Tricks

• Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter and eggs are at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can make the cookies tough.
• Even Baking: Make sure the cookies are spaced evenly on the baking sheet so they bake evenly.
• Cooling Time: Allowing the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack will help them to firm up.

How to Serve

These Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas for serving them:

• Milk and Cookies: A classic pairing!
• Coffee Break: These cookies are perfect for an afternoon coffee break or a sweet treat with your morning tea.
• Dessert: Serve them as a simple and satisfying dessert after dinner.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
• Storing: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of pudding mix?
Yes, you can use any flavor of pudding mix you like, such as chocolate or pistachio.

2. Can I add other ingredients to the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Try adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even oats.

3. Can I make these cookies without sprinkles?
Yes, you can leave out the sprinkles or use a different type of decoration, like colored sugar or sanding sugar.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Christmas Cookies with Sprinkles. I hope you enjoy them!

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