Layered Holiday Sprinkle Cookies: A Festive Treat for Christmas

The holidays are the perfect time to gather in the kitchen, bake up sweet treats, and share moments of joy with loved ones. These Layered Holiday Sprinkle Cookies are the ultimate Christmas treat. Soft, buttery sugar cookies coated in festive sprinkles and layered with creamy, colorful frosting—what could be better? Not only do they look beautiful, but they also taste as good as they look! Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, looking for a fun baking activity with the kids, or creating edible gifts for family and friends, these cookies will quickly become your new favorite Christmas tradition.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

• Festive and Eye-Catching: The red, green, and white sprinkles make these cookies perfect for Christmas celebrations.
• Soft and Buttery: The cornstarch keeps the cookies tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
• Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe perfect for bakers of all levels.
• Customizable: You can add optional buttercream frosting for an extra festive touch or keep it simple with just sprinkles.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need for both the sugar cookies and the optional buttercream frosting.

For the Sprinkle Sugar Cookies:

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted butter, softened	1 cup (2 sticks / 225g)
Granulated sugar	¾ cup (150g)
Large egg, room temperature	1
Pure vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
All-purpose flour, spooned & leveled	2 & ½ cups (300g)
Cornstarch	2 tablespoons
Baking powder	½ teaspoon
Salt	½ teaspoon
Christmas-colored sprinkles	For coating

For the Buttercream Frosting (Optional):

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted butter, softened	¼ cup (½ stick / 60g)
Powdered sugar	1 cup (130g)
Salt	¼ teaspoon
Pure vanilla extract	½ teaspoon
Milk	1 to 2 tablespoons
Red and green gel food colorings	As needed
Additional sprinkles	For decorating

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Cookie Dough

The secret to tender, buttery cookies starts with creaming your butter and sugar properly.

1. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
2. Add the egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, blending until smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
4. Mix the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.

2. Roll and Coat in Sprinkles

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Shape the dough: Scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a smooth ball.
3. Coat with sprinkles: Pour Christmas-colored sprinkles into a shallow bowl. Roll each dough ball in the sprinkles, pressing gently to coat evenly.
4. Arrange on baking sheets: Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls on the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

3. Bake the Cookies

1. Bake: Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the centers will still be soft.
2. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

4. Prepare the Buttercream Frosting (Optional)

For an extra layer of sweetness and festive color, whip up this easy buttercream frosting.

1. Beat the butter: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until well combined.
3. Adjust consistency: Stir in the vanilla and salt, then add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until the frosting reaches your desired texture.
4. Add color: Divide the frosting into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other, mixing until evenly tinted.

5. Assemble the Layered Cookies

1. Frost and stack: Spread or pipe a small amount of frosting onto the underside of one cookie. Place another cookie on top, pressing gently to create a sandwich.
2. Decorate: Add decorative swirls of frosting to the tops of the stacked cookies and finish with a sprinkle of festive sprinkles for added flair.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Store at Room Temperature: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Freeze for Later: For longer storage, freeze the cookies (without frosting) for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Make-Ahead Dough: You can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it for 3 months.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Overbake: Take the cookies out when the edges are set, but the centers still look soft. They will firm up as they cool.
• Use Softened Butter: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted for the perfect dough consistency.
• Press Sprinkles Firmly: To ensure the sprinkles stick, roll the dough balls firmly into the sprinkles.
• Get Creative with Colors: Feel free to use any sprinkles or food coloring to match your holiday theme.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Per Serving
Calories	180
Carbohydrates	24g
Protein	2g
Fat	8g
Sugar	12g
Sodium	80mg

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make the cookies ahead of time?

Yes! You can bake the cookies up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container until ready to serve.

2. What if I don’t have Christmas sprinkles?

You can use any festive sprinkles or colored sugar that fits the theme you’re celebrating.

3. Can I freeze the cookies?

Absolutely. Freeze the cookies (without frosting) in a single layer, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 1 month.

4. Can I skip the frosting?

Yes! The cookies are delicious on their own, but the frosting adds an extra layer of sweetness and festive color.

5. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavor.

6. How do I make the frosting thicker?

If the frosting is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a small splash of milk.

Why These Cookies Are Perfect for the Holidays

Layered Holiday Sprinkle Cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat. Their bright, festive colors and buttery taste make them a standout treat at holiday parties, cookie swaps, and family gatherings. They’re easy to customize and are guaranteed to bring smiles to anyone lucky enough to try them.

So, gather your sprinkles, roll up your sleeves, and make these cookies part of your Christmas tradition. Bake, stack, and share the magic of the holidays one cookie at a time!

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