Nothing says holiday joy quite like colorful, sparkling cookies fresh from the oven. That's why I’m excited to share my Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe—a delightful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, bringing a sprinkle of magic to your holiday gatherings.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe isn’t just about its charming appearance—it combines the creamy richness of cream cheese with the buttery softness of classic sugar cookies, then transforms each bite with twinkling sprinkles that add joy and texture.
- Perfect Texture Balance: The cream cheese keeps the cookies soft and tender while ensuring they’re sturdy enough to hold those gorgeous sparkles.
- Fun to Make: Rolling each dough ball in colorful sprinkles is a festive activity that even kids can enjoy helping with.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the dough days in advance and bake fresh cookies whenever the holiday mood strikes.
- Customizable Sparkle: Whether you prefer classic red and green or want to go bold with gold and silver, the sprinkling options let you tailor the look just how you like it.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe plays its part in creating a cookie that’s both flavorful and visually festive. Choosing good-quality basics and knowing why they matter makes all the difference in how your cookies turn out.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookies, providing structure without making them tough.
- Baking powder: Gives your cookies a gentle lift so they’re light and not too dense.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor; make sure it’s softened for easier mixing.
- Cream cheese: This secret weapon adds moisture and a subtle tang, keeping cookies soft.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and contributes to that classic cookie bite.
- Egg: Binds the dough together while adding moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cookie flavor.
- Almond extract: Optional but adds a lovely nutty note—feel free to omit if you prefer.
- Sprinkles: The star of the show, they bring festive color and texture; choose your favorites or mix various types!
Make It Your Way
Over the years, I’ve found that this Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe is wonderfully adaptable, and adding your personal touch really takes it up a notch. I often tweak the sprinkle colors or swap almond extract for orange zest when I want a citrus twist.
- Sprinkle Mix-Up: Once, I combined edible glitter with classic rainbow jimmies for a shimmering effect that everyone loved.
- Dietary Adaptations: If you need a dairy-free version, try coconut oil instead of butter and use a vegan cream cheese alternative; results are just as festive!
- Flavor Swaps: Vanilla and almond are a great duo, but I sometimes replace almond extract with peppermint extract around Christmas for that minty holiday vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe
Step 1: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking your flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until they’re evenly combined. This little step helps distribute the leavening evenly throughout your dough, which means consistent cookie texture every time. Set it aside for now.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together on high speed until mostly smooth—about 2 minutes. Cream cheese can be a bit lumpy at first, but keep mixing until it’s a smooth canvas for your sugar.
Step 3: Add Sugar and Flavorings
Next, add the granulated sugar and beat until creamy and combined. This step is your chance to get that dreamy, fluffy base. Then, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating again until fully incorporated. Be sure to scrape down the bowl so no ingredients get left behind.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet
Slowly add your dry flour mixture to the wet mixture on low speed. Don’t overmix here—just blend until everything comes together into a thick cookie dough. The dough at this point will be quite firm, perfect for rolling.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough tightly with plastic wrap or foil and chill for at least an hour—or up to 3-4 days! Chilling is key for these cookies to hold their shape and get that soft but firm texture. If you chill longer than a few hours, remember to let the dough sit out for about 30 minutes before rolling so it’s easier to handle.
Step 6: Prep to Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Pour your chosen sprinkles or sanding sugar into a bowl or multiple bowls if you want to mix colors.
Step 7: Roll, Sparkle, and Flatten
Using a tablespoon measure, scoop dough, roll into balls, then roll each ball in the sprinkles until fully coated. Place them about 2 inches apart on the sheet, then gently press down with the flat bottom of a glass or measuring cup to flatten just a bit.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 12-13 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Don’t wait for a deep brown—these cookies are soft and delicate. Once out of the oven, let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Top Tip
From my experience baking these festive treats, a few simple tricks make all the difference between a good batch and a perfect batch:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter, cream cheese, and egg beat together more smoothly and trap air better, leading to softer cookies.
- Chilling the Dough: Don’t skip this! It prevents spreading and helps your sparkles stick nicely instead of melting off during baking.
- Gentle Flattening: Press carefully on each dough ball to keep that pretty round shape while ensuring even baking.
- Use Quality Sprinkles: Cheap sprinkles sometimes dull during bake time; look for ones labeled 'baking' or 'sanding sugar' for a true sparkle effect.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe
Garnishes
I usually garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar for extra holiday magic or pair them with mini candy canes placed alongside the platter. Sometimes, a light drizzle of white chocolate elevates them for gift-giving occasions.
Side Dishes
These cookies go wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or mulled wine. For a festive touch on the cookie table, adding a selection of fresh berries or spiced nuts balances the sweetness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra-special presentation, arrange the cookies on a tiered stand layered with greenery like pine sprigs or holly. Wrapping small stacks in festive cellophane bags tied with ribbon also makes charming homemade gifts that guests will appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for up to a week, although they rarely last that long around here!
Freezing
If you want to freeze, both baked cookies and unbaked dough balls freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. For dough, freeze without the sprinkle coating, then thaw and roll in sprinkles right before baking. It’s a lifesaver during busy holiday weeks.
Reheating
Reheat cookies briefly in a warm oven (about 300°F for 3-5 minutes) to restore softness and bring back that freshly baked feel—it’s like magic!
Frequently Asked Questions:
You could, but cream cheese adds moisture and a tender crumb that butter alone can't quite replicate. Using all butter might make the cookies a bit drier and less soft.
Sanding sugars and sprinkles specifically labeled for baking hold up best because they won’t melt or bleed colors as much as typical sprinkles. Look for brands like Wilton, which I often recommend.
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or add a bit yourself for structure.
You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3-4 days. Just remember to let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling and baking to make handling easier.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe has become one of my go-to holiday treats because it’s easy, fun, and brings smiles with every bite. Whether you’re baking with family or surprising friends, these sparkly cookies add a touch of warmth and whimsy to the season. I hope you enjoy making—and eating—every last one as much as I do!
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Festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes
- Yield: 32 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Christmas Cookie Sparkles are delightful festive sugar cookies coated with colorful sprinkles. These soft, buttery cookies with a hint of cream cheese and almond extract offer a perfect holiday treat that’s easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 ounces (57g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract*
Coating
- ¾ cup (150g) sprinkles (sanding sugar, nonpareils, and/or jimmies)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together until thoroughly combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Cheese: Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Sugar and Flavors: Add the granulated sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture. Beat again until combined and creamy. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, beating on high speed for about 1 minute until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed to ensure all ingredients are mixed.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick at this stage.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 3-4 days. If chilling longer than 2-3 hours, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before rolling to soften.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Sprinkles: Pour your chosen sanding sugar or sprinkles into a bowl or multiple bowls if using different colors for coating.
- Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into approximately 1 tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball in the sprinkles to coat thoroughly. Place the coated dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Gently press down on each ball with the back of a measuring cup or glass to slightly flatten them.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-13 minutes or until they are very lightly browned around the edges.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Storage: Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- You can make the cookie dough ahead and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days for convenience.
- Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Unbaked cookie dough balls without the sprinkle coating freeze well up to 3 months; let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before rolling in sprinkles and baking.
- Almond extract adds a lovely flavor but can be omitted without replacement if preferred.
- Use sanding sugar, nonpareils, or jimmies for the sprinkles. Wilton brand sanding sugar is recommended and commonly found in baking aisles.
- For best results, use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Allow dough to soften slightly after chilling to ensure cookies spread properly during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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