Okay, if you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that instantly brings holiday cheer to your kitchen, this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is an absolute winner. I love how these cookies blend the classic sugar cookie mix with a touch of cream cheese for extra softness, making them tender but still sturdy enough to hold those bright sprinkles. They’re perfect for holiday baking marathons, cookie exchanges, or just a cozy afternoon with a cup of hot cocoa.

What makes this Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe truly special is how easy it is to whip up, even if you’re pressed for time or not a seasoned baker. Plus, adding red and green food coloring to your dough gives them that joyful Christmas vibe right before they hit the oven. Trust me, you’ll feel like a holiday pro when you pull these festive beauties out and watch your friends and family light up.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create the perfect balance of sweet, soft, and colorful cookies. I always recommend using a good quality sugar cookie mix and fresh cream cheese for that unbeatable texture.

Sugar cookie mix: This is the base of the recipe, and choosing a trustworthy brand will save you time and ensure consistency.
Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese adds moisture and keeps the cookies tender. Don’t skip softening it beforehand!
Salted butter: Also softened – this enriches the dough with a slight saltiness that enhances the sweetness.
Large egg: Helps bind everything together and adds richness.
Red food coloring: For that classic Christmas red shade — a couple of drops go a long way.
Green food coloring: A little green to balance the red and keep the festive vibes strong.
Christmas sprinkles: The finishing touch! Pick sprinkles that are colorful and festive, but not too big—tiny bits stick better and bake beautifully.

Variations

One of the fun parts about the Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. I love mixing things up depending on my mood or who I’m baking for.

Variation: For a dairy-free version, swap the cream cheese with a non-dairy alternative like vegan cream cheese. I’ve tried this for a friend’s holiday party and it came out great!
Variation: If you want to go bold, try mixing in peppermint extract with the dough for a minty twist that screams Christmas.
Variation: Use colored sanding sugar instead of sprinkles for a more subtle sparkle and crunch—especially fun if you want to coordinate colors for different holidays.

How to Make Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Softened Butter and Cream Cheese

Start by beating your softened butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes. I like using a hand mixer for this step to make it super easy. This is key because it helps give your cookies that melt-in-your-mouth texture we all love.

Step 2: Add Egg and Sugar Cookie Mix

Once your butter and cream cheese are light and creamy, add in the egg and mix until incorporated. Then gradually add the sugar cookie mix. The dough will start to come together here, and you want it smooth but not sticky—if it’s too wet, sprinkle in a tiny bit more cookie mix.

Step 3: Divide and Color Your Dough

Here comes the fun holiday magic. Divide your dough into two bowls and add a few drops of red food coloring to one and green to the other. Knead lightly with clean hands or a spatula until the colors are evenly distributed. Don’t go overboard on coloring—start with a few drops and add more as needed.

Step 4: Roll, Shape, and Sprinkle

Roll out each colored dough separately on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with your favorite cookie cutters or simply use a round cutter if you’re short on time. Then dip the cookie tops in Christmas sprinkles or sprinkle them on top. Press them gently so the sprinkles stick without flattening the dough too much.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place your cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 8–10 minutes, or until edges just start to turn golden. Don’t overbake! I learned the hard way that even a minute too long can toughen these delicate cookies. Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a rack.

How to Serve Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

The image shows six baking ingredients arranged on a white marbled surface. In the center right, there is a white bowl filled with a light, powdery flour. Next to it on the left is a white plate holding a thick, creamy block of butter. In front of these, closer to the bottom left, there is a single brown egg resting on the surface. In the front center, a small white bowl is filled with colorful sprinkles in red, green, white, pink, blue, and purple. Behind the flour, to the top right are two small white ramekins, one with a bright red liquid and the other with a dark brown liquid. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with more sprinkles or a light dusting of powdered sugar to add a snowy touch. Sometimes I drizzle a bit of white chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra festive look—plus, who doesn’t love an excuse for more chocolate?

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with classic holiday drinks like eggnog, hot chocolate, or a spiced cranberry punch. Over the years, I’ve found they perfectly complement these beverages, making every sip and bite feel super festive.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I love arranging these cookies on a bright holiday platter stacked with fresh pine sprigs or candy canes around the edges. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a red ribbon also makes a sweet and simple gift idea that always impresses friends and neighbors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between batches so they don’t stick. They usually stay soft and delicious for up to a week, though mine rarely last that long!

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch, I freeze the unbaked dough balls on a tray first, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, I can bake fresh cookies anytime during the season without starting from scratch. Baked cookies freeze well too—just make sure they’re completely cool and double wrap to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

To freshen up leftovers, I pop cookies in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. It revives their softness and makes them feel just baked. Avoid microwaving for too long, or they may get chewy instead of tender.

FAQs

Can I use homemade sugar cookie dough instead of mix?

Absolutely! If you prefer homemade dough, just make sure your recipe is sturdy enough to hold up with the cream cheese added. The cream cheese adds moisture, so you might need to adjust flour slightly to keep the dough from being too soft.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from melting?

For best results, add sprinkles right before baking and press them gently onto the dough without pushing too hard. Using small-sized sprinkles helps them retain shape and color under heat instead of melting into a blob.
Can I make these cookies vegan?

To make these cookies vegan, substitute the butter with vegan margarine and the cream cheese with a plant-based alternative. Use a suitable egg replacer like flax or chia seed gel to bind the dough. It might take a little experimenting, but the flavor and festive look are worth it.
What’s the best way to soften cream cheese quickly?

If you forgot to take the cream cheese out early, cut it into small cubes and microwave in 10-second intervals, turning the cubes until soft but not melted. Room temperature softening overnight is ideal, but this trick saves time when you’re in a rush.
Can I skip the food coloring?

You can! The cookies will still taste fantastic, and you can rely on your sprinkles to bring the festive colors. However, adding red and green dough makes the cookies even more visually striking and fun for holiday gatherings.

Final Thoughts

This Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is truly one of my holiday go-tos because it’s quick, cheerful, and delivers that perfect balance of soft texture with a crisp edge. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do—they always bring a smile to everyone’s face around here. So grab your apron, play some holiday tunes, and bake up a batch that’s sure to become a Christmas tradition in your home too!

Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 100 reviews

Celebrate the holiday season with these delightful Festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookies. Made with a simple sugar cookie mix enhanced by cream cheese and butter for a tender, rich texture, these cookies are beautifully decorated with vibrant red and green food coloring and topped with cheerful Christmas sprinkles to add a festive flair to your cookie platter.

Author: Mary
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

17.5 ounce bag sugar cookie mix
4 ounce (½ 8-ounce package) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup (½ stick) salted butter, softened
1 large egg

Coloring and Decoration

Red food coloring
Green food coloring
½ cup Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar cookie mix, softened cream cheese, softened salted butter, and the large egg. Mix thoroughly until a smooth dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated for the best texture.
Divide and color the dough: Split the dough into three equal portions. Leave one portion plain, and add red food coloring to the second portion, kneading until the color is uniformly distributed. Repeat the process with green food coloring for the third portion.
Shape the cookies: Take small portions of each colored dough and gently combine or swirl them together to create a festive marbled effect. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Add sprinkles: Lightly press the tops of each dough ball into the Christmas sprinkles, making sure the decorations adhere well to the surface.
Bake the cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges and set in the center.
Cool and serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive, colorful cookies with family and friends!

Notes

For best results, ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature before mixing to create a smooth dough.
If you prefer more vibrant colors, add food coloring a little at a time until you reach your desired shade.
Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Keywords: Christmas cookies, festive cookies, sugar cookies, sprinkle cookies, holiday baking, colorful cookies, easy Christmas treats