Oh, the joy of baking *Christmas sprinkle cookies*! There’s something so magical about the holiday season that makes me want to fill my kitchen with the sweet smell of baking treats. These cookies are not just any cookies; they’re a burst of festive cheer in every bite! I remember making them with my grandma, who always insisted on using the brightest, most colorful sprinkles. They turned out not just delicious but also a feast for the eyes! Trust me, you’ll love how simple and fun it is to whip these up. With just a handful of ingredients, you can create these delightful, buttery cookies that are perfect for sharing (or keeping all to yourself)!
Ingredients List
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking powder, for a light texture
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to balance the sweetness
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature for easy mixing
- 1 cup granulated sugar, to create that perfect sweetness
- 1 large egg, at room temperature for best results
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for that classic flavor
- 1 teaspoon almond extract, adding a delightful twist
- 1/2 cup assorted colored sprinkles, because every cookie deserves a little sparkle!
How to Prepare Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
Alright, let’s get those cookies baking! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it sets the stage for perfectly baked cookies. While the oven warms up, grab yourself a couple of mixing bowls. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This mix is the backbone of your cookies, giving them that delightful structure.
In another bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy—this should take about 2-3 minutes. You want it airy and smooth, so don’t rush! Now, crack that egg in and add the vanilla and almond extracts, mixing well until everything is combined.
Next, gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. I like to do this in three parts, mixing gently after each addition until just combined. You don’t want to overmix; that’ll toughen your cookies. Now, here comes the fun part! Fold in those colorful sprinkles until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop generous spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one for spreading. Bake in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. When they’re done, let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before transferring them to cool completely. And voilà, you’ve got a batch of festive goodness ready to be enjoyed!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super simple to whip up, even for beginner bakers
- Perfectly festive with vibrant colors and delightful flavors
- Buttery and soft texture that melts in your mouth
- Great for cookie exchanges or as holiday gifts
- Fun to customize with different sprinkles or flavors
Tips for Success
To ensure your *Christmas sprinkle cookies* turn out just right, here are some handy tips! First, consider chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape and gives you thicker, chewier cookies—yum! When it comes to sprinkles, don’t be afraid to get creative! Use a mix of colors or even themed sprinkles to match your holiday decor. Just remember, larger sprinkles might not spread as evenly, so stick with the classic jimmies or nonpareils for best results.
Also, keep an eye on your baking time. Ovens can be a bit quirky, so check your cookies around the 10-minute mark. You want the edges to be lightly golden while the centers look a tad soft; they’ll firm up as they cool. Trust me, these little tweaks can make a world of difference in your cookie game!
Variations
Get ready to make these *Christmas sprinkle cookies* your own! You can easily switch up the flavor by adding a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a refreshing twist or using orange zest for a citrusy kick. If you’re a chocolate lover, try folding in some mini chocolate chips or chunks for a delicious surprise in every bite. For sprinkles, go wild! Use holiday-themed shapes, like stars or trees, to add extra cheer. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for a decadent finish. The possibilities are endless, so let your imagination run wild!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *Christmas sprinkle cookies* fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay tasty for up to a week—if they last that long! If you want to keep them for a longer time, you can freeze them. Just layer the cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature. No need to reheat unless you want that fresh-from-the-oven feel; just a few seconds in the microwave will do the trick!
Nutritional Information
It’s important to note that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you choose. On average, each *Christmas sprinkle cookie* contains about 150 calories, with 8g of sugar, 7g of fat, 20g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein. So, while these cookies are a delightful treat, it’s good to enjoy them in moderation as part of your festive celebrations!
FAQ Section
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter gives these *Christmas sprinkle cookies* their rich flavor, you can substitute margarine if needed. Just make sure it’s at room temperature for easy creaming!
What type of sprinkles work best?
I recommend using traditional jimmies or nonpareils for these cookies. They hold their color well during baking and add that festive touch. Avoid using large sprinkles, as they might not melt evenly.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to soften before scooping.
Why did my cookies spread too much?
Cookies spreading too much can happen if the dough is too warm. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking helps them maintain their shape. Also, ensure your butter is softened, not melted, when mixing!
Can I add other mix-ins to the dough?
Yes, feel free to get creative! Mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried fruit can be great additions to your *Christmas sprinkle cookies*. Just remember to adjust the amount of sprinkles accordingly so they don’t overpower the other flavors!
Christmas Sprinkle Cookies: 5 Tips for Festive Perfection
- Gesamtzeit: 27 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
These Christmas sprinkle cookies are festive and easy to make.
Zutaten
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup sprinkles
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add egg and extracts to the butter mixture, then mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Fold in the sprinkles.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use different colored sprinkles for variety.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes for thicker cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 12 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 150
- Zucker: 8g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 7g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 4g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 20g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterin: 20mg
Keywords: christmas sprinkle cookies
