Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Introduction to Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

As the holiday season approaches, I find comfort in baking, and nothing feels as festive as Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies. These delightful treats burst with buttery sweetness and colorful sprinkles, making them a joy to bake and share. If you’re a busy mom or professional juggling endless to-do lists, fear not—this recipe is not only scrumptious but also quick! In just about an hour, you can whip up a batch that will impress your loved ones and fill your home with the warmth of holiday cheer.

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

These Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies are a treat that balances taste and simplicity effortlessly. You’ll love how easy they are to prepare, making them perfect for busy days filled with holiday preparations. In less than an hour, the delightful aroma will waft through your kitchen, captivating family and friends. Plus, who can resist the festive touch of vibrant sprinkles? These cookies are sure to become a cherished tradition in your home!

Ingredients for Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step in creating these delightful Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies. Let me walk you through what you’ll need:

• Unsalted Butter: The star of this recipe, it adds richness and a creamy texture. Be sure to use unsalted to control the saltiness.
• Granulated Sugar: This sweetener is key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also helps the cookies spread beautifully.
• Light Brown Sugar: Packed brown sugar adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor, making these cookies even more irresistible.
• Large Eggs: These bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cookies’ soft structure. Make sure they’re at room temperature for the best results.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Adding a warm, sweet aroma, this ingredient enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Almond Extract (Optional): If you’re feeling adventurous, add this for a delightful hint of nuttiness. It’s a subtle twist that amplifies the festive spirit.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your cookie dough. Spoon and level it for accurate measurement to avoid dense cookies.
• Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents work together to give the cookies their soft, fluffy texture. They help them rise while baking.
• Kosher Salt: Just a pinch! Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Holiday Jimmies: These colorful sprinkles will make your cookies pop with festive cheer. Choose classic red, green, or white hues.
• Holiday Nonpareils: Add some extra sparkle with these tiny round sprinkles. They bring a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Additional Sprinkles: Use a mix for rolling the cookies to give them that bakery-style finish. Variety always makes things more exciting!

You can find specific measurements for each ingredient at the bottom of the article, where they’re ready for printing. Now, let’s get baking and spread some holiday joy with these delightful cookies!

How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Step 1: Brown the Butter

First, let’s unlock a rich, nutty flavor by browning the butter. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter carefully. Keep swirling it often and watch it transform. The butter will foam and bubble, turning a beautiful golden brown with an irresistible nutty aroma. This process takes about 5-7 minutes. Trust me, this extra step is worth it! Once browned, pour it into a heatproof bowl and let it cool for about 15 minutes. Browning the butter truly enhances the flavor of your Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies, elevating them from ordinary to extraordinary.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

Next, let’s get our dry ingredients in order. In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. This step is essential; the leavening agents help the cookies rise and achieve that soft, fluffy texture everyone loves. It’s the difference between a flat cookie and one that’s perfectly puffy! Airing out the flour by whisking also prevents clumping, ensuring your cookies bake evenly.

Step 3: Beat Butter & Sugar

Now it’s time to cream that browned butter with the sugars. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the cooled butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed. You want to mix this for 2-3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air into the mixture, leading to cookies that are both tender and chewy. The dreamy aroma that fills your kitchen will have everyone eagerly anticipating a taste!

Step 4: Add Eggs & Flavor

Next, it’s time to introduce the eggs and flavor extracts. Add the large eggs one at a time, ensuring each is well incorporated before adding the next. Then, mix in pure vanilla extract and, if you’re feeling adventurous, almond extract. The eggs provide structure, making the dough cohesive, while the extracts add delightful depth to the flavor profile. A cozy touch, don’t you think?

Step 5: Combine Mixtures

With our wet ingredients ready, let’s marry them with the dry mixture. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Do this until just combined—remember, we don’t want to overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we want them soft, sweet, and full of holiday joy. Stop mixing as soon as you see no flour streaks; this keeps our dough beautifully tender.

Step 6: Fold in Sprinkles

Now for the fun part—adding the sprinkles! Gently fold in the holiday jimmies and nonpareils using a rubber spatula to keep the colors vibrant. After the sprinkles are evenly distributed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This chilling time solidifies the butter, ensuring your cookies hold their shape while baking and gives them that perfect bakery-style appeal.

Step 7: Preheat Oven

While waiting for the dough to chill, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Preheating is vital for even baking. It ensures that the cookies start baking immediately upon hitting the oven, preventing them from spreading too much. You want those beautiful shapes to hold!

Step 8: Shape Cookies

Once the dough is chilled, it’s time to shape your cookies. Using a large cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), portion out the dough to create uniform balls. Roll each ball in extra colorful sprinkles for that delightful bakery-style finish. Placing them on a lined baking sheet, make sure they’re about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows them to spread without merging into one giant cookie, which we’re definitely trying to avoid!

Step 9: Bake

Pop your cookie sheets into the oven and bake for 11–13 minutes. Look for edges that are set and lightly golden, while the centers should still appear slightly soft. Those soft centers mean chewy cookies—a hallmark of deliciousness! Remember, the cookies will continue baking while cooling on the sheet, so don’t worry if they seem a little underbaked.

Step 10: Cool

After baking, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This gives them time to firm up a bit. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step keeps your cookies from becoming too soft and allows them to reach that ideal texture. It’s all about patience, my friends!

Tips for Success

• Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to ensure perfectly shaped cookies.
• Use a cookie scoop for even portion sizes – it helps with consistency and baking time.
• Don’t overmix the dough to keep your cookies tender and soft.
• Switch up the sprinkles according to different holidays for year-round fun!
• Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Equipment Needed for Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

• Mixing Bowls: A few different sizes for mixing and whisking your ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient measurements. Don’t have them? Use a scale for precision!
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugar a breeze. A whisk works too, just more elbow grease!
• Baking Sheets: Choose quality, heavy-duty sheets for even baking. Parchment paper is a great alternative for easy cleanup.
• Cookie Scoop: Helps portion dough evenly. No scoop? Use a spoon and your hands for shaping!

Variations on Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

• Chocolate Chip Addition: Add chocolate chips to the dough for a delightful chocolatey twist. They pair wonderfully with the sweetness of the cookies!
• Nutty Delight: Incorporate finely chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans. This adds texture and a warm, nutty flavor that complements the sweetness.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking blend. This way, everyone can enjoy these festive treats!
• Vegan Version: Replace unsalted butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. Utilize flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) in place of the eggs.
• Flavor Infusions: Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or lemon for a refreshing twist. Just a little bit can transform your cookies into something unique!

Serving Suggestions for Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

• Holiday Milk: Serve these cookies with a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa for a delightful pairing.
• Festive Platter: Arrange cookies on a colorful platter with holiday decor for an eye-catching presentation.
• Gift Option: Package them in festive tins or bags as sweet homemade gifts for friends and family.
• Cookie Bar: Set up a cookie bar at holiday gatherings for guests to enjoy a variety of treats.
• Ice Cream Sandwich: Place a scoop of ice cream between two cookies for a delicious dessert twist!

FAQs about Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies

Can I freeze Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze these cookies either before baking or after. To freeze unbaked dough, scoop the dough balls onto a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer them to a freezer bag for up to three months. Bake straight from the freezer; just add a minute or two to the baking time. If they’re baked, store in an airtight container for up to a week in the freezer.

What’s the best way to store these cookies?
To keep your Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies fresh, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. If stacked, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking. These cookies can also be enjoyed for up to a week, keeping that delectable sweetness intact!

Can I use different types of sprinkles?
Definitely! The beauty of Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies lies in customization. You can choose any type of sprinkles you’d like. From festive jimmies to themed nonpareils for birthdays or other holidays, feel free to unleash your creativity!

What makes these cookies soft and chewy?
The secret to soft and chewy cookies lies in the ratio of ingredients and the chilling time. Brown sugar retains more moisture than granulated sugar, keeping the cookies tender. Chilling the dough also helps prevent over-spreading while baking, so they stay delightfully thick.

Can I make these cookies without eggs?
Yes, you can! To make an egg-free version of these Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies, substitute each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water) or applesauce. Adjustments may slightly alter texture, but they’ll still be delicious!

Final Thoughts

Baking Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies is more than just a culinary task; it’s a delightful experience that fills your home with warmth and laughter. The joy of rolling dough, watching sprinkles dance across those buttery circles, and sharing them with loved ones truly embodies the spirit of the holiday season. Each soft bite offers a sweet reminder of cherished moments spent together. So, whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or simply treating yourself, these cookies will definitely bring a smile. You’ll find that in every colorful sprinkle lies a sprinkle of joy, ready to be shared with those you love!

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