Sprinkle sugar cookies are soft and sweet treats that look as fun as they taste! With a buttery dough and colorful sprinkles, they’re perfect for any celebration or just a special snack.
Making these cookies is a blast! I love rolling the dough in sprinkles – it’s like giving each cookie a little party hat. 🍪🎉 Enjoy them warm with a glass of milk, and you’ll feel like a kid again!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of your cookies. For a gluten-free option, feel free to use a gluten-free flour blend, but the texture might change slightly.
Unsalted Butter: Softened butter is key for a rich flavor. If you’re in a pinch, you can use salted butter but reduce the added salt in the recipe.
Granulated Sugar: Regular sugar keeps cookies sweet and helps them spread. You could use coconut sugar for a caramel-like flavor, or a sugar substitute if you’re looking to reduce calories.
Sprinkles: The fun part! You can swap colored sprinkles with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit if you prefer something different.
How Do I Get the Cookies to Bake Evenly?
Baking cookies can be tricky! To ensure even baking, follow these tips:
- Make sure your oven is preheated to the right temperature. An oven thermometer can be a lifesaver!
- Space the cookie dough balls at least 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to allow room for spreading.
- Use parchment paper on your baking sheet for easy removal and even heat distribution.
- Keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. Take them out when they’re just set but still soft in the center.
These tips will help your sprinkle sugar cookies come out perfect every time! Enjoy baking!
How to Make Yummy Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup colorful sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take you about 20 minutes to prep and about 10-12 minutes to bake. Make sure to set aside some time for the cookies to cool before enjoying them. In total, plan for about 40 minutes to whip up these sweet treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
First things first! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This will help make sure your cookies rise just right when baked. Set this bowl aside for now.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is fluffy and light. This should take about 3-4 minutes. It’s a fun step—watch how creamy it gets!
4. Add Wet Ingredients:
Next, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and sour cream until everything is mixed together well. This will create a deliciously smooth batter.
5. Combine Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until everything is just combined. Be careful not to over-mix; we want soft cookies!
6. Add the Colorful Sprinkles:
Gently fold in the ½ cup of colorful sprinkles, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. This is where the fun really begins!
7. Shape the Cookies:
Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons and roll each scoop into a ball. If you like, you can roll each ball in extra sprinkles to make them even more festive.
8. Prepare for Baking:
Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls onto the lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each one to allow for spreading. Don’t forget to flatten each ball slightly with your hand or the bottom of a glass.
9. Bake to Perfection:
Pop the trays in your preheated oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are just set, but the cookies still look a little soft in the center. They will firm up as they cool, so don’t worry!
10. Cooling Time:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
11. Enjoy:
Now comes the best part—enjoying your sweet sprinkle sugar cookies! They’re wonderful with a glass of cold milk or your favorite beverage. Share them or keep them all to yourself for a sweet treat any time!
Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?
Yes, you can use margarine as a substitute for butter! Just make sure it’s a good quality margarine that can be creamed, and your cookies should still turn out delicious!
What If I Don’t Have Sour Cream?
No worries! You can substitute sour cream with yogurt (plain or Greek) for a similar tangy flavor. Alternatively, use an equal amount of buttermilk or even milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar or lemon juice as a quick substitute.
How Do I Store the Leftover Cookies?
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them in a sealed container. Just thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
Can I Make the Dough in Advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough, roll it into balls, and freeze them before baking. Place the dough balls in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time if you’re baking them directly from the freezer!
