The holiday season is all about creating moments of joy, sharing sweet treats, and celebrating traditions. What better way to spread holiday cheer than by baking Stacked Christmas Sprinkle Cookies? These cookies are not only festive and delicious but also easy to make, making them perfect for any level of baker. Whether you’re hosting a Christmas party, gifting homemade treats, or spending time with loved ones in the kitchen, these cookies are a surefire crowd-pleaser.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of making these delightful cookies, complete with a sprinkle of buttercream frosting magic. By the end of this article, you’ll have a foolproof recipe that is both fun and impressive.
Why You’ll Love These Stacked Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
- Easy to Make: Simple steps with easy-to-find ingredients.
- Festive Appeal: Perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie swaps.
- Customizable: Add your own personal touch with colored frosting and decorations.
- Family-Friendly: A fun baking activity for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients for the Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
To get started, gather all the ingredients. Below is a table to make things simple for you:
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
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 | 300g (measured by spoon & level) |
Cornstarch | 2 tablespoons |
Baking powder | ½ teaspoon |
Salt | ½ teaspoon |
Christmas-colored sprinkles | For rolling |
Optional Ingredients for the Buttercream Frosting
Ingredient | Quantity |
---|---|
Unsalted butter (softened) | 60g (about half a stick) |
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 decoration |
Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough
Creating the perfect cookie dough is essential for soft, flavorful cookies. Follow these easy steps:
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until smooth and fluffy. This step should take around 2–3 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Crack the egg into the mixture and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Incorporate the Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently. Mix until everything is just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can result in tough cookies.
Step 2: Shape and Roll the Cookies in Sprinkles
This step is where the fun begins! Get creative with those colorful sprinkles:
- Preheat Your Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Dough: Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to measure out portions of dough. Roll each portion into a smooth ball.
- Roll in Sprinkles: Take each dough ball and gently roll it in the festive Christmas-colored sprinkles. Ensure the entire surface is fully coated for maximum color and crunch.
- Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. This allows room for them to spread.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Baking these cookies to perfection ensures a soft, chewy center and firm edges:
- Bake Time: Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. The edges should be slightly firm, while the centers remain soft.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Make the Buttercream Frosting (Optional)
If you want to add a festive, sweet layer between your cookies, this buttercream frosting is the perfect addition.
- Beat the Butter: In a small bowl, whip the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until fully incorporated.
- Add Flavor: Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for balance.
- Adjust the Texture: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk, a little at a time, until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency.
- Tint the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two portions. Use red and green gel food colorings to tint each portion, creating festive Christmas colors.
Step 5: Assemble the Stacked Cookies
Turning your cookies into stacked delights is simple and makes for a beautiful presentation:
- Spread the Frosting: Spread a small amount of buttercream frosting on the bottom of one cooled cookie.
- Stack Another Cookie: Place a second cookie on top to form a sandwich.
- Decorate the Tops: For an extra-festive touch, use a piping bag to create decorative swirls of frosting on the tops of the stacked cookies. Sprinkle with additional Christmas sprinkles for added flair.
Step 6: Serve and Store the Cookies
Your stacked Christmas sprinkle cookies are now ready to be enjoyed:
- Let the Frosting Set: Allow the frosting to firm up slightly before serving.
- Store Properly: Place the cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to enjoy them later, you can freeze the cookies for longer storage.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
- Measure Accurately: Spoon and level your flour to avoid dense cookies.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Use softened butter and room-temperature eggs for the best texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Cookies continue to bake on the hot sheet, so remove them when the edges are firm.
- Use Gel Food Coloring: Gel food colorings provide vibrant colors without altering the frosting’s consistency.
Nutritional Information
Here’s a general idea of the nutritional breakdown per cookie (without frosting):
Nutrient | Amount |
---|---|
Calories | 120–150 kcal |
Fat | 6–8g |
Carbohydrates | 15–18g |
Sugar | 8–10g |
Protein | 1–2g |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe by half.
2. How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Ensure the baking powder is gluten-free as well.
3. Can I prepare the dough in advance?
Absolutely! The dough can be chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
4. Can I use other sprinkles or colors?
Yes! You can customize the sprinkles and frosting colors for different holidays or themes.
5. How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chill the dough balls for about 30 minutes before baking to keep them from spreading excessively.
6. How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for up to 7 days at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
These Stacked Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are the perfect combination of festive, fun, and delicious. Whether you’re baking them with your kids, gifting them to friends, or serving them at a holiday party, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles to everyone. Plus, with the optional buttercream frosting, you can elevate them to a whole new level of holiday indulgence.
Get your apron on, gather those colorful sprinkles, and start baking these irresistible cookies. You’ll be spreading cheer with every bite!
PrintStacked Christmas Sprinkle Cookies: A Festive Holiday Delight with Ingredients
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 15–18 cookies
Description
These Stacked Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are festive, fun, and irresistibly delicious! Soft, buttery sugar cookies rolled in colorful sprinkles and stacked with a creamy buttercream frosting make them the perfect holiday treat for parties, gifts, or family baking sessions.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup (2 sticks / 225g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 300 grams all-purpose flour (measured by spooning and leveling)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Christmas-colored sprinkles (for rolling)
For the Optional Buttercream Frosting:
- 60 grams unsalted butter, softened (about half a stick)
- 1 cup (130g) powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk
- Red and green gel food colorings
- Additional sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cookie Dough
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar for 2–3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
2. Shape and Roll in Sprinkles
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop out 1-tablespoon portions of dough and roll into smooth balls.
- Roll each ball in Christmas-colored sprinkles to fully coat the surface.
- Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
3. Bake the Cookies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Make the Buttercream Frosting (Optional)
- In a small bowl, whip the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing until incorporated.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. Add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one red and the other green with gel food colorings.
5. Assemble the Stacked Cookies
- Spread a layer of buttercream frosting on the bottom of one cookie and stack a second cookie on top to form a sandwich.
- Pipe decorative swirls of frosting on top for extra flair and sprinkle with more festive decorations.
6. Serve and Store
- Allow the frosting to set before serving. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- For best results, use gel food coloring to tint the frosting vibrant shades without altering its texture.
- Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes if you want thicker cookies that spread less.
- Customize sprinkles and frosting colors for different holidays, such as pink and white for Valentine’s Day or pastel hues for Easter.
- Store cookies in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American