There’s just something magical about cookies that shimmer with a sprinkle of festive joy — that’s why I’m excited to share this Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe with you. These buttery, soft cookies studded with colorful sprinkles bring that perfect sparkle to your holiday baking, making them as fun to make as they are to eat!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it combines soft, creamy flavors with that delightful crunch and color of sprinkles. Every time I’ve made these, they’ve been the star at gatherings—people just can't resist reaching for more.
- Perfect Soft Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese and butter combo, these cookies stay tender and melt in your mouth.
- Beautiful Sparkle Finish: The mix of sanding sugars and sprinkles gives a festive look that’s instantly eye-catching.
- Easy to Customize: You can swap sprinkles, skip almond extract, or even try glazes to add your personal twist.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Chill the dough ahead of time, and you’ll have fresh cookies ready to bake whenever a craving strikes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe really lies in how the ingredients come together for that perfect balance of rich, soft cookie base and bright, festive sparkle. Plus, I’ve got some tips for each ingredient to help you shop and succeed in baking.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base that holds everything together; spoon and level it for accurate measurement—this keeps cookies from turning out dense.
- Baking powder: Adds just the right lift so your cookies aren’t flat but have a pleasant lightness.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Super important to soften to room temperature so it creams smoothly with cream cheese.
- Cream cheese: Adds moisture and that irresistible tender crumb; don’t skip this!
- Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness without overpowering and helps with that slight crisp on the edges.
- Egg: Binds ingredients together and keeps cookies soft and chewy.
- Vanilla extract: Classic warm flavor that makes every cookie taste homemade.
- Almond extract: Optional but oh-so-good—the subtle nutty note deepens flavor without overwhelming.
- Sprinkles: The star of the show! I love using a blend of sanding sugar and colorful nonpareils for sparkle and a slight crunch.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about the Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I often swap out sprinkles depending on my mood—sometimes more classic red and green, other times multicolor for a fun twist. It's so forgiving, you can trim it to fit your kitchen style.
- Variation: I’ve tried adding orange zest for a citrusy kick once, and it was a delightful surprise that pairs beautifully with the almond extract.
- Dairy-Free Option: For friends who need dairy-free, swapping butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives works great—just watch chilling times as the dough could be softer.
- Holiday Flair: Try swapping sprinkles for crushed candy canes or edible glitter for a glamorous look that wows guests.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love rolling these dough balls in sprinkles—it’s a fun activity and gets them excited about baking.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe
Step 1: Mix dry ingredients with love
Start by whisking together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. I like to do this first because it ensures the leavening is evenly distributed—no wonky lumps! Set it aside while you cream the butter and cream cheese.
Step 2: Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar until dreamy
Using a stand or handheld mixer with a paddle attachment, beat softened butter and cream cheese on high for about 2 minutes until relatively smooth. Then add sugar and beat until creamy and well combined. I always scrape down the bowl sides here to make sure everything mixes evenly.
Step 3: Add egg and extracts
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract on high speed until just combined, about 1 minute. The mixture will look smooth and shiny here, a great indicator you're on the right track.
Step 4: Bring dough together and chill
Lower mixer speed and gradually add dry ingredients. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky. Wrap tightly and chill for at least an hour to let it firm up—that step prevents spreading in the oven and gives perfect shape. If chilling longer, remember to sit the dough out for about 30 minutes before rolling.
Step 5: The sparkly finish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C), line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Roll tablespoon-sized dough balls, then roll them generously in your chosen sprinkles. Place spaced by 2 inches and gently press down with a glass bottom for that classic cookie shape.
Step 6: Bake and cool
Bake for 12-13 minutes until edges are just lightly browned. Trust me, setting the timer is key here—you want soft cookies, not overbaked. Allow to cool on the pans for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack. Resist the urge to eat hot—they’re fragile warm!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few little tricks to make these cookies turn out impeccable every time. These tips might save you some headaches, especially if you’re juggling holiday baking with everything else.
- Don’t Skip Chilling: Chilling the dough isn’t optional here — it’s what keeps your cookies tender and prevents them from spreading too thin.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter, cream cheese, and egg mix more evenly and make for a smoother dough.
- Press Gently but Firmly: When flattening dough balls, a light hand protects the sparkle coating and makes the perfect cookie shape.
- Watch Your Oven Closely: Every oven bakes differently—start checking at 11 minutes so you catch the cookies as soon as edges turn golden.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe
Garnishes
Personally, I keep it simple with an extra sprinkle of sanding sugar or edible glitter on top just before baking for an extra sparkle boost. For festive fun, I’ve also tried decorating cookies with colored royal icing and a handful of miniature edible pearls—they’re showstoppers on any platter.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa, spiced eggnog, or even a fresh pot of holiday coffee. Sometimes I set them out alongside a charcuterie board which surprises guests with sweet bites in the mix.
Creative Ways to Present
I love arranging these sparkly beauties layered on a tiered dessert stand to bring height and festive cheer to the table. Wrapping stacks tied with ribbon in clear cellophane bags makes adorable gifts for neighbors and teachers too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and fully cooled, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered with parchment paper to keep the sparkles intact. They stay fresh and chewy for up to a week, which is great if you’re making batches early.
Freezing
I’ve frozen both unbaked dough balls (without sprinkles) and baked cookies. For dough, freeze in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a zip-lock bag. When ready, thaw for 30 minutes at room temp, then roll in sprinkles and bake as usual. Baked cookies freeze well too—just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
To refresh day-old cookies, I pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This helps revive that freshly baked softness and brings back the sparkle shine just right.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Cream cheese adds a distinctive tender crumb to these cookies, so I wouldn’t recommend skipping it entirely. But if needed, try substituting with an equal amount of softened butter, though the texture will change slightly.
I love using a mix of sanding sugar and nonpareils because sanding sugar adds subtle crunch and sparkle, and nonpareils bring vibrant colors and charm. Try to avoid large, thick sprinkles as they can affect baking and spread.
Absolutely! The dough benefits from chilling and can be made up to 3-4 days ahead. Just make sure to bring it back to room temperature before rolling if refrigerated longer than a couple of hours.
Rolling each dough ball thoroughly in sprinkles before baking helps the coating stick. Also, gently pressing the dough balls down slightly locks the sprinkles in place as the cookie bakes and spreads.
Final Thoughts
Making this Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe always feels like a joyful event, not just another item on my holiday checklist. From the creamy dough to the vibrant sprinkle coat, these cookies bring smiles and warm hearts around my kitchen table. I hope you enjoy baking and sharing them as much as I do — they truly add that extra sparkle to your holiday season!
Print
Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Yield: 32 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Christmas Cookie Sparkles are delightful and festive cookies featuring a tender cream cheese dough coated with colorful sprinkles. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these cookies offer a soft, buttery texture with a hint of almond and vanilla, making them an irresistible treat for any cookie lover.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 ounces (57g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Coating
- ¾ cup (150g) sprinkles (sanding sugar, nonpareils, and/or jimmies)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together until combined. Set aside.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese together on high speed until relatively smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the granulated sugar and beat until combined and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat on high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to combine.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. The dough will be thick.
- Chill Dough: Cover dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour and up to 3-4 days. If chilling longer than 2-3 hours, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling and baking because the dough will be quite hard and the cookies may not spread properly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- Form and Coat Dough Balls: Pour sanding sugar or your choice of sprinkles into a bowl or multiple bowls if using different colors. Roll balls of cookie dough, about 1 Tablespoon per cookie, then roll each ball in the sprinkles to coat. Place each dough ball 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Using the back of a measuring cup or drinking glass, gently press down on each dough ball to slightly flatten.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 13 minutes or until very lightly browned on the edges.
- Cool: Remove cookies from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Cookies will stay fresh covered at room temperature for 1 week.
Notes
- You can make the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Unbaked cookie dough balls (without sanding sugar coating) will freeze well for up to 3 months. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, then roll in sanding sugar and bake as directed.
- Almond extract is optional but adds wonderful flavor; you can omit it without replacement.
- You can use sanding sugar, nonpareils, or jimmies for coating the cookies, available in most baking aisles.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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