There’s something truly magical about biting into a soft cookie covered in colorful sprinkles, and that’s exactly why I think you’ll adore this Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe. It’s festive, fun, and delivers on those classic flavors with a tender bite you'll want to make year after year.

A stack of five round, sugar-coated cookies is shown on a white marbled surface. From bottom to top, the first cookie has green sugar crystals with a slightly rough texture, the second cookie is covered in red sugar crystals, the third is again green sugar crystals, the fourth is red sugar crystals, and the fifth on top is a half-eaten green sugar cookie revealing a soft, light yellow interior. To the left, at the base of the stack, there is a half piece of a green sugar cookie showing the same soft inside. Some blurred cookies with red and green sugar crystals appear in the background. The overall image uses soft, natural light to highlight the texture and colors. 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 Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m really excited to share this recipe because it hits all the right nostalgic holiday vibes. These sprinkle sugar cookies are not just about looking cute (though they definitely do). Their soft texture and rich flavor come from a little secret ingredient that took me by surprise — cream cheese. It makes the cookies melt-in-your-mouth tender while still keeping the perfect sprinkle crunch on top.

Soft & Creamy Texture: Thanks to cream cheese, these cookies are tender like little holiday clouds.
Easy To Roll & Bake: Simple dough that’s chilled just enough for easy handling—no sticky messes here.
Super Festive Look: Covered in rainbow sprinkles, these cookies instantly brighten up any cookie tray or gift box.
Flavor Boost: A touch of almond extract adds subtle holiday warmth without overpowering the classic vanilla base.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe plays a special role to create that perfect cookie experience. The balance between butter and cream cheese makes for an ultra-soft dough, while baking powder gently lifts the cookies so they aren’t too dense. And of course, the sprinkles bring the fun factor!

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white bowl of fine baking powder, a tiny white bowl of salt crystals, a square of unsalted butter softened and slightly shiny, a block of full-fat cream cheese with a smooth surface, granulated sugar heaped in a small white bowl, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl filled with clear vanilla extract liquid, a small white bowl holding almond extract liquid, and a small white bowl overflowing with colorful sanding sugar sprinkles, nonpareils, and jimmies, all arranged in perfect symmetry 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 any sturdy cookie that still stays tender.
Baking powder: Provides a light rise so these don’t turn out rock hard.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances richness.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and buttery flavor; softened butter mixes best.
Cream cheese: The secret to the softest, most tender texture—make sure it’s room temperature for blending.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a lightly crisp outside edge.
Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer that brings warmth.
Almond extract: A tiny bit amps up the holiday flavor without overwhelming.
Sprinkles: For that joyful crunch and festive appearance—sanding sugar, nonpareils, or jimmies all work beautifully.

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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 often love tweaking this Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe depending on the mood. For example, I’ve swapped almond extract for a little orange zest, which is a lovely bright twist. Don’t be afraid to make it your own — that’s how holiday memories start!

Variation: Once, I added crushed peppermint candies mixed in with the sprinkles for an extra festive crunch—super delicious and perfect for peppermint lovers.
Dairy-Free Option: To make these dairy-free, try substituting vegan butter and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative; just keep an eye on the dough consistency.
Color Theme: Pick sprinkles in holiday colors like red, green, gold, or even silver to coordinate with your party’s vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe

A white marble slab holds an assortment of round Christmas cookies with colorful sprinkles and sugar coating. The cookies have different layers of texture: some are covered with large red, green, and white round sprinkles; others are dusted with bright green or red sugar crystals; a few have red and white sugar sprinkles. One cookie is broken to show two green layers with a white filling between them. The cookies are placed closely in a scattered pattern, some on the slab and a few on white plates around with more cookies. Two woman's hands hold the slate at the corners, and a red-and-white striped cloth is partially visible on the left. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

First things first—you’ll want to whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. This ensures the leavening and seasoning spread evenly throughout your dough for consistent flavor and texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese & Sugar

In your mixer bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on high speed until they’re blended into a silky smooth mixture—about 2 minutes should do it. Then add the sugar and keep beating until everything is creamy and combined. This creamy step is key to giving your cookies that soft, melt-in-your-mouth feel.

Step 3: Add Egg and Extracts

Next, beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Don’t skip the almond—it adds that festive, cozy aroma that really makes these cookies special.

Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients & Chill

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed so the flour doesn’t fly everywhere. You’ll end up with a thick dough—perfect. Wrap it well with plastic or foil and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour; this resting step helps chill the dough so it's easier to handle and the cookies bake up nice and tender.

Step 5: Shape, Sprinkle & Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper—I always recommend this for easy cleanup. Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll each in your chosen sprinkles until fully coated. Place them spaced about 2 inches apart on the baking tray, then gently press down slightly with the back of a glass. Bake for 12-13 minutes, until the edges are just barely golden.

Step 6: Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies chill out on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after coming out of the oven, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period really helps them firm up just enough while keeping the centers soft.

Top Tip

Over the years of making this Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe, I learned a few tricks that make the difference between *good* cookies and *amazing* ones. Here are my favorites to help you nail it every time:

Chill the dough well: Don’t rush this step—chilling the dough keeps the cookie shape intact and slows spread, so your sprinkles stay put.
Softened ingredients matter: Make sure butter and cream cheese are softened but not melted. This ensures smooth mixing and keeps the texture light.
Press gently: When flattening dough balls, just a gentle press is enough—too much and you’ll lose that soft, fluffy center.
Use parchment paper: I always line my sheets; it prevents sticking and helps the bottoms bake evenly crisp without burning.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas sprinkle cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I personally stick with classic sprinkle mixes—red, green, and white sanding sugar for that traditional holiday sparkle. Sometimes I add a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving for a snowy effect that delights kids and adults alike.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with warm drinks like spiced cider, peppermint hot chocolate, or a rich cup of coffee. I love serving them alongside a cheese board or a plate of homemade fudge for an indulgent holiday spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One fun way I've presented these cookies at parties is arranging them in little stacks tied with festive ribbon or nestled in clear cellophane bags with a Christmas tag. They also look stunning displayed on a tiered cookie stand with sprigs of rosemary or holly for that natural holiday touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and fresh for up to a week. Just make sure the container is sealed well so the cookies don’t dry out or pick up other fridge odors.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unbaked dough balls before, rolled in sprinkles and separated on a baking sheet. Once frozen, I transfer them to freezer bags. This is perfect for last-minute cookie baking—you can pop them straight from freezer to oven, just add a few minutes to baking time.

Reheating

If you want your cookies warm and a tad soft after storing, just heat them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This brings back that freshly-baked feeling—perfect for cookie plates or cozy nights in.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular cream cheese or does it have to be full-fat?

Full-fat cream cheese is best for this Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe to achieve that rich, tender texture. Low-fat versions can make the dough drier and affect the final softness.

Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to handle and helps the cookies bake evenly without spreading too much. It also develops the flavors, which enhances the taste.

Can I substitute almond extract with something else?

Yes! If almond isn’t your favorite, you can swap it for an equal amount of extra vanilla extract or even a tiny bit of orange zest to keep that warm holiday feeling.

What type of sprinkles work best for this recipe?

Sanding sugar, nonpareils, and jimmies all work wonderfully for the classic look and texture. I recommend using multiple types for fun color and crunch contrast. Just avoid ones with large sugar crystals that don’t melt nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies Recipe holds a warm place in my heart — not just because of the delicious, soft cookies but because of the memories it helps create with family and friends. Baking these cookies is like opening a little box of holiday cheer right in your kitchen. Give the recipe a try, and I promise you’ll be reaching for it every year to fill your cookie tins with sweetness and sparkle!