How to Make the Perfect Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies
American · Easy · 27 min · 24 servings
These soft and chewy sugar cookies are rolled in colorful sprinkles before baking, creating a festive treat that children absolutely love to make. The simple dough requires no chilling, so kids can get straight to the fun of rolling and decorating.
Why this recipe works
This Rainbow Sprinkle Sugar Cookies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 27 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 120 calories with 2g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup rainbow sprinkles
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Mix the Dough
Beat the softened butter and sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined. Gradually stir in the flour until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into small balls about 1 inch in size. Pour the rainbow sprinkles into a shallow bowl and roll each dough ball through the sprinkles until fully coated on all sides.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are just set and the centers look slightly underdone.
Step 4: 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. The cookies will firm up as they cool and become perfectly chewy.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- unsalted butter → coconut oil at the same quantity for a dairy-free version
- all-purpose flour → a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Overbaking the cookies which causes them to become hard and crumbly instead of soft
- Using cold butter which prevents the dough from mixing properly and makes rolling difficult
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 120 calories, 2g protein, 16g carbs, 5g fat, 0g fiber.
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