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Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies – The Ultimate Holiday Classic
There’s something magical about pulling a tray of Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies out of the oven on a chilly December afternoon. The aroma of buttery vanilla fills the air, the cookies puff up beautifully golden, and every bite melts in your mouth. These cookies are everything you want in a holiday treat — soft, chewy, and full of festive color thanks to those merry little sprinkles that make everyone smile.
This recipe takes the classic sugar cookie and gives it a joyful upgrade with the help of instant vanilla pudding mix. The pudding mix not only deepens the vanilla flavor but also adds that signature softness that makes these cookies irresistible. Combined with a mix of white and brown sugar, they’re tender in the center, lightly crisp on the edges, and perfectly balanced in sweetness.
I first made these for a Christmas cookie swap years ago, and they’ve been a family tradition ever since. They’re easy enough for kids to help decorate, sturdy enough for gifting, and absolutely perfect with a glass of milk or mug of hot cocoa. Whether you’re baking for Santa, the neighbors, or just to fill your kitchen with holiday cheer, Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are sure to bring joy to every bite.
If you’re looking for more festive baking inspiration, check out Sally’s Baking Addiction’s holiday cookie roundup or Taste of Home’s Christmas cookie collection.
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Chewy & Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
Description
These Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are buttery, chewy, and full of festive color. The secret ingredient—instant vanilla pudding mix—gives them their incredibly soft texture and rich vanilla flavor, making them a holiday favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sprinkles (plus more for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. - Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, beat together butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. - Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla extract. - Add Pudding Mix:
Stir in the instant vanilla pudding mix until fully incorporated. This is the key to that soft, pillowy texture! - Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. - Combine Wet and Dry:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. - Add Sprinkles:
Fold in the ½ cup of sprinkles gently with a spatula — don’t overmix or the colors may bleed. - Chill (Optional):
For slightly thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes. - Shape and Roll:
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, and coat with additional sprinkles for a festive look. - Bake:
Arrange dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until edges are set but centers look soft. - Cool and Serve:
Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
The pudding mix adds moisture and chewiness — don’t skip it!
If using nonpareil sprinkles, chill the dough so colors don’t bleed.
To get perfect shape, lightly press the tops of dough balls before baking.
Advanced Techniques
Getting That Perfectly Soft Center
The secret to keeping your Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies extra tender is slightly underbaking. Pull them from the oven when they still look a bit glossy in the center — they’ll set as they cool. The instant pudding mix helps lock in moisture, creating that melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves.
Balancing Flavors with Vanilla and Brown Sugar
Using both white and brown sugar gives these cookies a deeper flavor. The brown sugar adds a hint of molasses warmth that balances beautifully with the vanilla pudding. For even richer flavor, you can use dark brown sugar or add a touch of almond extract for a bakery-style twist.
Choosing the Right Sprinkles
Jimmies (the long, soft sprinkles) work best because they don’t melt or bleed into the dough. You can mix red, green, and white for Christmas, or swap them for pastel colors during spring — this recipe adapts beautifully to any holiday theme.
Chilling for Thick, Bakery-Style Cookies
If you like thick, chewy cookies, chill the dough for 30–60 minutes before baking. Cold dough spreads less in the oven, creating soft, puffy centers with golden edges. It also enhances the cookie’s flavor as the ingredients meld together.
Adding Festive Flair
Want to make them extra special? Dip half of each cooled cookie in melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. It adds a beautiful presentation and a little peppermint crunch that screams Christmas.
Storage, Shelf Life, and Maintenance Tips
Keeping Cookies Fresh and Soft
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Place a slice of sandwich bread in the container — it keeps the cookies perfectly soft and chewy.
Freezing the Dough for Holiday Prep
You can freeze unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months. Freeze on a tray first, then transfer to a resealable freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra minute to the bake time.
Freezing Baked Cookies
These cookies freeze wonderfully once baked. Stack them with parchment paper between layers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in a 300°F oven for 3–4 minutes.
Reheating for Freshness
If your cookies firm up, microwave one for 8–10 seconds — it revives that fresh-from-the-oven softness instantly.
Perfect for Gifting
Because they stay soft and colorful, these cookies make great holiday gifts. Layer them in festive tins or clear bags with ribbon, and they’ll hold their texture beautifully for several days.
Dietary Adaptations and Substitutions
Making Them Gluten-Free
Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend designed for cookies. Brands like King Arthur Measure-for-Measure work perfectly and still yield chewy, soft results.
Creating a Dairy-Free Version
Replace butter with plant-based butter and ensure your pudding mix is dairy-free (many instant mixes are!). The cookies will still have a buttery flavor and perfect texture.
Reducing Sugar Without Losing Flavor
Replace part of the white sugar with a zero-calorie sweetener like monk fruit. Since pudding mix adds sweetness too, this small adjustment keeps the cookies balanced but less sugary.
Egg-Free Adaptation
To make these cookies egg-free, use two tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce or two flax “eggs” (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water each). The pudding helps maintain structure, so they still bake beautifully.
Adding Holiday Flavors
For a fun twist, mix in white chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, or a pinch of nutmeg. Each variation adds a little holiday magic while keeping the cookie soft and classic.
FAQs About the Recipe
Can I Use a Different Flavor of Pudding Mix?
Absolutely! Try white chocolate or French vanilla pudding for a richer flavor. Even butterscotch pudding adds a fun twist for a caramel note.
Why Add Pudding Mix to Cookies?
Instant pudding acts like a moisture magnet — it keeps cookies soft, chewy, and flavorful for days. It’s a baker’s secret weapon for the perfect texture.
Do I Need to Chill the Dough?
Not necessarily, but chilling helps control spread and makes the cookies thicker. If you’re in a hurry, you can bake them right away for slightly flatter but still soft results.
Can I Make These for Other Holidays?
Definitely! Just change the sprinkle colors. Red and pink for Valentine’s Day, pastel for Easter, or rainbow for birthdays — this recipe is endlessly adaptable.
How Do I Prevent Sprinkles from Melting?
Use jimmies or quins instead of nonpareils. Nonpareils can bleed color into the dough, especially if mixed too long or baked on warm sheets.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
These Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies embody everything we love about holiday baking — warmth, color, and pure joy in every bite. They’re buttery, soft, and festive without being fussy, making them the perfect cookie for busy bakers who still want to spread a little Christmas cheer.
I love how versatile this recipe is: it’s quick to mix up, beautiful enough for gifting, and sturdy enough to survive holiday shipping or cookie exchanges. The instant pudding mix makes them stay chewy for days, which means you can bake ahead without sacrificing freshness.
Whether you’re filling Santa’s cookie plate, wrapping gifts for friends, or simply enjoying a quiet baking day with holiday music playing in the background, these cookies are guaranteed to bring smiles. They’re the kind of simple, joyful recipe that becomes part of your family tradition — year after year.
So grab your sprinkles, preheat that oven, and make these Soft Christmas Sprinkle Cookies. Because nothing says “happy holidays” quite like a plate of buttery, colorful, perfectly soft cookies straight from your kitchen.