Name: Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 2 h 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup (80g) sprinkles, plus more for topping

There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about these soft, sprinkle-studded treats. The Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe brings all that festive cheer in simple, easy-to-make cookies that smell like holiday magic from the very first bite.

A stack of six round cookies sits in the center, each cookie dotted with small red, green, and white sprinkles inside the dough and more sprinkled on top. Around the stack are loose cookies showing the same colorful texture. In the background, two small clear bowls filled with red, green, and white sprinkles are slightly out of focus. All items are arranged on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. The lighting is soft, highlighting the texture and colors of the cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely adore this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance: soft and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness, all decked out in colorful sprinkles. It’s festive, fun, and so simple to whip up, even if you’re not a seasoned baker.

Effortless Preparation: No rolling or cutting — just drop, chill, and bake, which saves so much time and keeps things stress-free.
Delightfully Soft Texture: Thanks to the balance in ingredients, these cookies stay tender and chewy, perfect for savoring with a warm drink.
Festive and Fun: The sprinkles add holiday sparkle and a playful crunch, making the cookies irresistible for kids and adults alike.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Chilling the dough lets you prep in advance, which is gold for busy holiday days.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe has a role that helps create the perfect festive cookie. From the basic pantry staples to the colorful sprinkles, here’s why these ingredients make this recipe so successful.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with white baking powder, a pinch of salt on a white ceramic plate, a half cup of unsalted butter softly softened and cut into a neat square on a white dish, a small white bowl with granulated sugar sparkling under natural light, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, and a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles scattered evenly, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The foundation of this recipe that balances structure and tenderness when measured carefully (spooned and leveled, not scooped).
Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift so the cookies aren’t dense and hard.
Salt: Enhances the sweetness while balancing flavors.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture — remember to soften it to room temperature for smooth creaming.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with texture; creaming it with butter creates a lovely fluffy base.
Large egg: Binds ingredients together and adds structure; room temperature eggs blend better and make the batter smoother.
Pure vanilla extract: Brings warm, aromatic depth that’s classic and comforting.
Sprinkles: My favorite festive touch! They add bursts of color and just enough crunch to brighten up every bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is. It’s a brilliant starting point for your own holiday creativity — whether you prefer to swap out flavors or add your own twist on toppings.

Variation: Once, I stirred in some finely chopped peppermint candies instead of sprinkles for a minty surprise — it was a hit at our Christmas party!
Dietary Modifications: You can easily substitute butter for dairy-free margarine and sprinkles with allergen-friendly versions to make these inclusive for guests.
Seasonal Changes: I sometimes swap sprinkles for chopped nuts or dried cranberries when I want a nuttier or fruitier vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a metal baking tray with a brown silicone baking mat on a white marbled surface. On the mat, there are 15 round cookie dough balls arranged in three rows of five, evenly spaced. Each cookie dough ball is light beige with small bits of red and green mixed evenly inside. Some of the dough balls are topped with small colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white. The scene looks clean and neat, with the cookies ready to bake. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisking the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This step helps evenly distribute the raising agent and salt, which means your cookies bake up perfectly every time. I always take a moment here to make sure there are no lumps — it really makes a difference in the texture.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed for about a minute until light and fluffy. This is such a key part because it introduces air, giving the cookies that tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality. Don't rush it—if your butter isn't quite soft enough, it won’t cream well.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla extract on high speed until fully combined, which usually takes about a minute. Scrape down the bowl sides to ensure everything blends smoothly; this prevents pockets of flour or butter later on.

Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients, Then Fold in Sprinkles

Mix the dry ingredients into the wet on low speed until combined—you want to avoid overmixing here, or the cookies could get tough. At this stage, stir in half a cup of sprinkles gently. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky, which is exactly what you want!

Step 5: Form Dough Balls and Chill

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll them into balls. Here’s a fun tip: dip the tops lightly in more sprinkles for extra festive sparkle. Place these on a baking sheet or plate, cover, and chill for at least 2 hours. I learned that chilling is critical — it helps the cookies hold their shape and enhances flavor, plus it’s a great way to prep ahead.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Arrange the chilled dough balls with about 3 inches between them — they’ll spread slightly. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes until the edges start to turn golden, but the centers still look soft. That softness means they’ll finish baking on the sheet and stay chewy inside.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Cooling this way helps prevent breaking and lets them firm up just right. Once cooled, watch how quickly these cookies disappear — everyone loves that festive sprinkle crunch with soft middle!

Top Tip

After making this Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe many times, I’ve found a few simple tweaks that make them even easier and tastier. These tips help ensure your cookies come out just right every time.

Butter Temperature: Make sure your butter is fully softened but not melting. This makes the creaming process smooth without oily batter.
Chill Time: Don’t skip the chilling! Even the minimum 2 hours helps prevent cookies from spreading too much and develops deeper flavor.
Sprinkle Application: For extra sparkle, dip the tops in sprinkles after rolling — it keeps them vibrant and fun-looking after baking.
Baking Watch: Pull cookies from the oven as soon as edges brown but centers are still soft for the perfect chewy texture — they’ll firm up as they cool.

How to Serve Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding an extra sprinkle or two right before baking, but once served, a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate takes these cookies up a notch for guests. For a truly festive touch, I sometimes add edible glitter or colored sugar crystals to match holiday themes.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or warm spiced cider. For holiday gatherings, I like setting them alongside fruitcake bites, gingerbread, or even a cheese platter — their sweetness balances out savory treats wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve had fun arranging these cookies on festive platters shaped like Christmas trees or wreaths. Wrapping them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons makes a lovely homemade gift. Plus, layering with wax paper in decorative tins keeps them fresh and ready for sharing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your baked Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies at room temperature in an airtight container layered with parchment paper. Trust me, they stay soft and flavorful for up to a week — though they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, I recommend freezing the dough balls right after shaping. I place them on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a sealed bag. When you're ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to baking time. This has saved me many times during holiday chaos.

Reheating

To refresh day-old cookies, pop them in a warm oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes or microwave briefly wrapped in a damp paper towel to regain softness. It’s a quick trick that makes leftovers taste fresh and just-baked.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a stand mixer or hand mixer for this recipe?

Absolutely! I personally use both depending on what’s clean and handy. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment makes creaming butter and sugar super easy, but a hand mixer works just fine too.

Why is chilling the dough so important?

Chilling solidifies the fats in the dough, which helps prevent over-spreading during baking so your cookies stay thick and soft. It also allows the flavors to meld and results in a more tender cookie texture.

Can I use different types of sprinkles?

Yes! Use your favorite sprinkles to match the season or your mood. I recommend ones that won’t bleed color too much. If using large or heavy sprinkles, add them carefully so they stick well to the dough.

How do I keep my cookies soft and chewy?

The key is not to overbake. Remove them once the edges are lightly browned but the centers still look soft—they’ll finish baking as they cool. Also, proper creaming of butter and sugar helps create a tender crumb.

Final Thoughts

This Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions. It’s one of those recipes you can rely on to bring smiles, sparkle, and a sprinkle-filled burst of joy to your celebrations. So grab your mixing bowl and sprinkles, and I promise you’ll enjoy the warmth and nostalgia with every bite — just like I do!