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Sprinkle Cookies – Soft, Sweet & Bakery-Perfect

These Sprinkle Cookies are pure happiness in cookie form — soft, buttery, sweet, and full of fun rainbow sprinkles throughout. They have a tender melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to cream cheese in the dough, which keeps the cookies light, smooth, and unbelievably soft. Perfect for birthday parties, holidays, celebrations, or just because you want something joyful and delicious, these cookies are guaranteed to make everyone smile. Every bite is sweet, colorful, and full of warm vanilla flavor — like a bakery sugar cookie but even softer. These are the kind of cookies that feel playful and cozy at the same time. Simple to make, beautiful to serve, and always a hit.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
bake time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup jimmies sprinkles use jimmies, not nonpareils — they hold their color!

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Hand mixer or whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3:
  1. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
Step 4:
  1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Step 5:
  1. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until a soft dough forms.
Step 6:
  1. Fold in the sprinkles — stir just enough to distribute evenly.
Step 7:
  1. Scoop dough into small balls and place on your baking sheet.
Step 8:
  1. Bake 8–12 minutes, until edges look set but centers stay soft and pale.
  2. (Do not overbake — this keeps them soft!)
Step 9:
  1. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container for 5–6 days.
Freeze dough balls for 2 months — bake from frozen (add 1–2 minutes).
To soften baked cookies, microwave 6 seconds.
🥄 Variations
Birthday Cake Flavor: Add ½ teaspoon almond extract.
Holiday Version: Use seasonal sprinkle colors.
Glazed Finish: Add a thin vanilla drizzle after cooling.
Extra Soft: Chill dough 20 minutes before baking.
❓ 10 FAQs
Why cream cheese?
It keeps the cookies ultra-soft and gives bakery-style texture.
Can I skip the powdered sugar?
No — it helps create the soft crumb.
Why jimmies sprinkles?
They hold their color and don't bleed like nonpareils.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes — reduce added salt to ¼ teaspoon.
Do these spread a lot?
Only slightly — chilling makes them thicker.
Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes — use a 1:1 baking blend.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes — white chocolate works especially well.
Can kids help make these?
Absolutely — sprinkles make it fun!
Can I freeze decorated cookies?
Yes — freeze without icing for best results.
How do I get perfectly round cookies?
Gently press the edges into shape right after baking.
🏁 Conclusion
These Sprinkle Cookies are soft, sweet, colorful, and incredibly fun to make and eat. With their tender cream cheese dough and cheerful sprinkle bursts, they bring joy to every cookie tray and every bite.
Bake them for celebrations.
Bake them for smiles.
Bake them because happiness should taste this good