A Holiday Classic with a Sweet Twist

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without the smell of warm cookies wafting through the kitchen—and these Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are guaranteed to become a festive favorite in your home. These buttery, sugar-coated treats are a nostalgic throwback to childhood, yet elegant enough to serve at a high-end holiday gathering. With their colorful sanding sugar sparkle and pillowy soft texture, these cookies offer the perfect balance of taste and holiday cheer.

Whether you’re baking for Santa, hosting a cookie exchange, or just want to surprise your family with something magical, this recipe is ideal. It’s approachable for beginners and enjoyable for seasoned bakers looking for that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth holiday cookie.

Why You’ll Love These Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

These cookies check all the boxes for a flawless festive treat:

Soft and tender: The texture is slightly chewy with a soft center, thanks to the perfect blend of baking soda, baking powder, and cream of tartar.
Festively fun: Rolled in Christmas-colored sanding sugar, they add instant joy and color to any holiday table.
Kid-friendly: Kids love helping with the sugar rolling step—and of course, devouring the final result.
Customizable: With a few tweaks, you can easily adapt this base dough into other variations all year long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to bring these festive cookies to life:

1 1/2 cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 container of Christmas sanding sugar (red, green, gold, or a combo!)

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

To make your baking session as smooth as possible, have the following tools ready:

Stand mixer or hand mixer
Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Measuring cups and spoons
Whisk
Parchment paper
Baking sheets
Small cookie scoop or ice cream scoop
Flat spatula or your palm for pressing
Cooling racks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your cookie sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

2. Cream the butter and sugar in a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer) on medium speed until light and fluffy.

3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cream of tartar.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture while mixing on low speed. Mix just until all flour is incorporated.

6. Scoop out the dough using a small ice cream scoop and roll into smooth balls with your hands. Place them on the prepared baking sheets.

7. Pour your sanding sugar into a large bowl. Roll each dough ball generously in the sugar until coated.

8. Arrange the coated dough balls on the cookie sheets about 2-3 inches apart. Use your palm to gently press each ball into a thick disc.

9. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. They should look slightly undercooked in the center—this keeps them soft!

10. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet or transfer to a wire rack.

11. Enjoy with a cold glass of milk, or store as instructed below.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Cookie

Room temp butter is essential for proper creaming. Cold butter won’t incorporate air properly, and melted butter will lead to flat cookies.
Don’t skip the cream of tartar—it helps give these cookies their soft texture and slight tang.
Want extra sparkle? After baking, dust with a tiny bit of edible glitter or additional sanding sugar.
Underbake slightly. Trust us—when the edges are just golden, pull them out. They’ll continue baking on the sheet for the perfect texture.

Fun Variations and Swaps

Flavor Twist: Swap out the vanilla extract for almond or peppermint extract for a festive twist.
All-Year-Round: Use pastel sanding sugars for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or rainbow for birthdays.
Add-Ins: Stir in mini white chocolate chips or festive sprinkles directly into the dough.
Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

How to Store Your Cookies

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezer-Friendly: Freeze dough balls (before rolling in sugar) for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, roll in sanding sugar and bake as directed—no need to thaw.
Already Baked? Cool completely and freeze in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Best if consumed within 2 months.

Perfect Pairings

These cookies shine with a variety of cozy drinks and other treats:

Milk – A classic, of course.
Hot cocoa – Especially with peppermint extract in the cookies.
Coffee or espresso – Perfect for adult cookie exchanges.
Vanilla bean ice cream – Sandwich two cookies with a scoop for a holiday dessert twist.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! Store the dough in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature slightly before scooping and rolling.

My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?

Make sure your butter isn’t too soft or melted. Chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking can help cookies hold their shape better.

Can I use colored sugar instead of sanding sugar?

Yes! Colored granulated sugar works, though it might not have the same sparkle or hold up as well during baking. Sanding sugar is recommended for the most festive look.

Can I make these without a mixer?

Yes, but be prepared for an arm workout. Use a sturdy spoon and a lot of elbow grease to cream the butter and sugar properly.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely. This recipe scales well—just make sure your mixer and bowl can handle the volume.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about a soft sugar cookie dressed up for the holidays. These Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies bring together timeless tradition and joyful whimsy in every bite. They’re simple enough to make with kids, yet charming enough to package up as edible gifts or showcase on your dessert table.

So go ahead—bake up a batch (or three), pour yourself a cozy drink, and spread the holiday spirit one cookie at a time.

If you loved this recipe, please share it with your friends and family! Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog for more seasonal treats, baking tips, and exclusive holiday recipes straight to your inbox. Happy baking and happy holidays! 🎄