Name: Birthday Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (plus more for topping)

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These Birthday Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are fun, festive, and full of color. Each soft, chewy cookie is rolled in a rainbow of sprinkles and dotted with chocolate pieces — a guaranteed crowd favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

They are soft and chewy with just the right amount of sweetness. The sprinkles make them visually exciting, especially for kids, birthdays, or festive events. Plus, they’re easy to make with pantry staples.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

all-purpose flour
baking powder
baking soda
salt
unsalted butter, softened
sugar
egg
vanilla extract
rainbow sprinkles
chocolate chips or candy pieces (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, soda, and salt.
Combine wet and dry ingredients to form dough. Fold in chocolate if using.
Roll into balls and coat with sprinkles.
Place on baking sheet and flatten slightly.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until edges are set.
Cool before serving.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: 25–30 minutes

Variations

Use chocolate sprinkles or themed colors.
Add lemon zest for brightness.
Replace chocolate chips with white chocolate or toffee bits.

Storage/Reheating

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Freeze baked cookies or raw dough balls for 2 months.

FAQs

Do I need to chill the dough?

Not necessary, but chilling can help reduce spread.

Can I use margarine?

Butter is best for flavor and texture.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend.

Do the sprinkles melt?

No, they bake into the cookies while retaining color.

What’s the texture like?

Soft in the center, slightly crisp at the edges.

Can I add frosting?

Yes, they’re great with a glaze or buttercream.

What’s the best way to shape them?

Use a cookie scoop for uniform size.

Are they overly sweet?

They’re sweet but balanced, especially if using semi-sweet chocolate.

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, freeze in balls and bake from frozen.

How to make them more chewy?

Underbake slightly and let cool on the pan.

Conclusion

Birthday Sprinkle Sugar Cookies bring joy and flavor to any occasion. With their bright appearance and soft texture, they’re irresistible for kids and adults alike.

Birthday Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

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Birthday Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy sugar cookies bursting with colorful sprinkles, perfect for parties, celebrations, or anytime you want a fun and festive treat.

Author: Emma Harper
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Fold in the sprinkles evenly.
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Press a few extra sprinkles onto the tops for decoration.
Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
Allow cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.