If you are looking to brighten up your cookie jar with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth treat, this Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe is exactly what you need. These cookies are delightfully soft, with just the right hint of vanilla and almond that awakens your taste buds. The colorful sprinkles add that perfect pop of happy, making every bite feel like a little celebration. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, special occasion, or just to make an ordinary day extraordinary, these cookies bring warmth, sweetness, and an irresistible charm to your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays an essential role: creamy butter for the tender crumb, sugar for sweetness, and a unique mix of vanilla and almond extracts for that signature flavor. The baking powder creates just enough rise, while sprinkles add a joyful splash of color. Here’s everything you’ll need to create these delightful cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, tender base that keeps the cookies soft and flavorful.
- 1½ cups sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps to create a light texture when creamed with butter.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture for softness.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds classic warmth and depth to the cookie’s flavor profile.
- 1 tsp almond extract: A subtle nutty twist that rounds out the sweetness beautifully.
- 2½ tsp baking powder: Makes the cookies rise just enough, ensuring a soft, fluffy result.
- ¼ tsp salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour: The structure of the cookie, ensuring it holds its shape yet stays tender.
- â…“ cup sprinkles: The fun, colorful decoration that delivers a joyful crunch and festive look.
How to Make Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 400ºF. While the oven warms up, place your sprinkles in a small bowl. Setting these aside allows you to quickly coat your cookie dough balls later, making the process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together on high speed until the mixture becomes fluffy. This step is key to a light texture because it whips air into the butter and sugar, laying the foundation for that soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Once your butter and sugar are perfectly fluffy, add in the eggs along with the vanilla and almond extracts. Beat everything until fully combined—these flavors will infuse every bite with a comforting familiarity and a hint of nutty charm.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Next, add the baking powder and salt, beating just until they are mixed in. Then, slowly incorporate the flour on medium speed. The dough should come together smoothly without stiffening too much, ensuring your cookies stay soft once baked.
Step 5: Shape and Sprinkle
Roll your dough into 1½ inch balls—this size gives you a perfect balance of soft center and tender edges. Roll each ball generously in the sprinkles to cover the top completely. Placing the cookies about two inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets gives them room to spread and retain their delicate softness.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies for 10 minutes or until you notice the edges just turning golden brown—a sign they are perfectly baked. Let the cookies cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring them to wire racks. This cooling step helps them set gently, preserving their soft texture while the sprinkles remain vibrant and intact.
How to Serve Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies are already stunning with their sprinkle-coated tops, but you can dress them up with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate for an extra touch of elegance and sweetness.
Side Dishes
Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe pairs wonderfully with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea or coffee. They bring a lovely balance of sweetness and softness that’s fantastic alongside creamy beverages.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, arrange these cookies on a tiered cake stand or place them in decorative tins with colorful parchment paper. They also make brilliant edible gifts when stacked neatly and wrapped with a cheerful ribbon—just like little bites of happiness to share.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe fresh and soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Adding a slice of bread to the container can help maintain moisture, keeping the cookies delightfully tender.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookie dough balls before baking by placing them on a parchment-lined tray and freezing until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. When ready, bake directly from frozen, just add a couple extra minutes to baking time.
Reheating
To refresh the softness of your cookies after storage, warm them in a 300ºF oven for 5 minutes or briefly microwave on low power. This will revive their tender texture and make the sprinkles sparkle once more.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract in the Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe?
Absolutely! If almond extract isn’t your favorite or you have allergies, simply leave it out or replace it with an equal amount of additional vanilla extract. The cookies will still be deliciously soft and flavorful.
Why are my sugar cookies not soft?
If your cookies turn out crunchy, it might be due to overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure to measure flour correctly by spooning it into the cup and leveling it off, and keep a close eye on baking time to pull the cookies out just as the edges start to brown.
Can I use colored sugar instead of sprinkles?
You certainly can! Colored sugars provide a lovely sparkle and a slight crunch and work beautifully with this Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe. Just roll the dough balls in the colored sugar as you would with sprinkles.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, your cookies will maintain their softness and freshness for about 3 days at room temperature. Beyond that, enjoy frozen storage to keep them at their best.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegan?
This recipe relies on butter and eggs for its softness and texture, so to make it vegan, you would need to use plant-based butter and egg substitutes like flax or chia seeds mixed with water, though the texture might vary. Experimenting with vegan versions can be fun but might take a few trials to perfect.
Final Thoughts
Making this Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe isn’t just about baking; it’s about creating moments of joy and sharing little bursts of happiness with those you love. The soft, tender crumb combined with the playful crunch of sprinkles makes every bite a delight. I hope you give this recipe a try and let it become a beloved favorite in your kitchen, bringing smiles and sweet memories every time.
Print
Soft Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 dozen cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Soft Sugar Cookies are tender, buttery, and bursting with sweet sprinkles, making them perfect for any celebration or a delightful everyday treat. With a combination of vanilla and almond extracts, these classic cookies offer a rich, aromatic flavor and a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1½ cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
Topping
- â…“ cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (205ºC) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature by the time you finish preparing the cookies. Place the sprinkles into a small bowl and set aside for easy access during cookie preparation.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender texture. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract, then beat again until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the baking powder and salt to the wet mixture and beat until incorporated. Gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing on medium speed until the dough is fully blended and smooth without overmixing to maintain softness.
- Form and Sprinkle Cookies: Roll the dough into 1½ inch balls using your hands or a cookie scoop. Roll each ball in the bowl of sprinkles to coat the top evenly. Place the sprinkled dough balls on ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them about two inches apart to allow expansion while baking.
- Bake: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 10 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden brown. This timing ensures a soft center with slightly crisp edges.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the sheets for 2 minutes. Then transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely, which helps maintain their soft texture.
Notes
- Softer butter at room temperature results in better mixing and a fluffier cookie.
- Do not overbake; cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
- You can substitute sprinkles with colored sugar or finely chopped nuts.
- For a stronger almond flavor, increase almond extract slightly but be careful as it can become overpowering.
- If you don’t have an electric mixer, you can mix by hand but it may take longer to achieve a fluffy texture.
