Name: Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 11 min
Total time: 31 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1 3.4 ounces box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix (not sugar free); 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles (or any colors); 3/4 cup Christmas M&Ms (or any color of M&M)

There’s something truly magical about biting into a soft, colorful cookie during the holidays, isn’t there? That’s why I’m excited to share this delightful Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe that’s just bursting with holiday cheer and flavor. These cookies are soft, pillowy, and generously sprinkled with festive colors that make every bite feel like a celebration.

A white plate full of round cookies stacked slightly on top of each other, each cookie light golden brown with a soft texture, decorated with red and green candy-coated chocolate pieces, white and dark chocolate chips, and red, green, and white sprinkles scattered across the surface. Around the plate, more candy pieces and festively colored ornaments are placed on a white marbled surface. In the background, a white bowl with red stripes is filled with red and green candy-coated chocolates. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached for these Christmas Sprinkles Cookies as the perfect holiday treat. They’re easy to make, and the pudding mix adds a softness inside that’s simply addictive. Plus, the candy and sprinkles give them that classic festive look that everyone smiles at.

Soft and Chewy Texture: Thanks to the instant vanilla pudding mix, these cookies stay tender and moist for days.
Festive Vibes: Red and green sprinkles plus Christmas M&Ms bring that unmistakable holiday cheer with every bite.
Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples you probably already have, making this recipe easy to pull together last minute.
Fun to Customize: Swap the sprinkles or M&Ms to match your holiday theme or dietary needs without losing any magic.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a beautiful balance of classic cookie ingredients and a fun twist that makes the texture so dreamy. Ready-to-use pudding mix isn’t just for desserts—it brings a moisture-locking magic here that keeps every bite soft as can be.

Flat lay of a small square of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a whole clean large egg with a smooth shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing bright red and green round sprinkles, a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful Christmas M&Ms, a small white ceramic bowl holding fine all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl with fine white baking soda powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine white salt, and a small white ceramic bowl with light amber vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Softened butter creates the perfect creamy base without extra salt, so you control the flavor.
Brown sugar: Adds rich molasses notes and keeps the cookies chewy.
Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the warm, buttery flavors.
Egg: Binds everything while adding moisture and a tender crumb.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: The star for softness and a subtle vanilla kick.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough and browns the edges nicely.
Salt: Balances out the sweetness perfectly.
All-purpose flour: The main structure; be sure to spoon and level for accuracy.
Red and green sprinkles: For that unmistakable Christmas pop of color and crunch.
Christmas M&Ms: Melty pockets of chocolate and more festive color—feel free to pick your favorite holiday candies.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap out M&Ms for white chocolate chips or even mini peppermint candies for an extra holiday kick. Don’t be shy—make this recipe fit your style and favorite flavors!

Variation: I once made a batch with gluten-free flour blend and it turned out surprisingly tender—just add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for extra structure.
Dairy-free option: Use vegan butter and dairy-free pudding mix for a plant-based twist that everyone enjoyed.
Seasonal swap: Outside of Christmas, try pastel sprinkles and spring candies to turn these into a year-round celebration cookie.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe

A group of round cookies spread out on a white marbled surface, each cookie golden brown with a slightly crispy edge and soft center. The cookies are decorated with colorful red and green candy-coated chocolates embedded on top, along with white and dark chocolate chips scattered throughout. Festive red, green, and white sprinkles add texture and color, spread evenly across the cookies and scattered around them. The cookies have a slightly bumpy texture showing the mix of chips and candies in the dough. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream Together the Good Stuff

Start by softening your butter—it’s key for smooth mixing. I usually let it sit at room temperature for about an hour. Then, using a stand mixer (or a hand mixer if that’s what you have), cream the butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step traps air for those perfectly tender cookies.

Step 2: Mix in the Flavor Builders

Next, blend in the egg and vanilla until smooth. Then add the instant pudding mix, baking soda, and salt. These are your secret weapons for extra moist, flavorful cookies. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.

Step 3: Flour & Festive Fun

Stir in the flour until it’s all incorporated—don’t overmix! Finally, fold in your red and green sprinkles along with the Christmas M&Ms. The dough now looks vibrant and full of holiday cheer.

Step 4: Chill & Prep for Baking

Scoop generous 2-tablespoon balls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet—don’t worry about spacing yet because you’ll chill them first. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling locks in shape and makes baking easier.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place chilled dough balls on a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until you see the edges just start to turn golden brown. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Top Tip

From my countless cookie experiments, a couple of handy tips always help me get these Christmas Sprinkles Cookies just right. They’re simple but make a big difference when you want that charming soft texture and festive look.

Chill the Dough: Don’t skip this! Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much, keeping them thick and soft.
Use Instant Pudding Mix, Not Sugar-Free: The instant vanilla pudding adds moisture and tenderness, while sugar-free versions can dry out the dough.
Don’t Overbake: Pull them out when the edges are just turning brown; they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Generous Sprinkles & Candy: Fold them in gently so the colors stay vibrant and the cookies look invitingly festive.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe

Christmas Sprinkles Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a few extra festive sprinkles or chopped candy canes on top right after baking for that extra sparkle and crunch. Sometimes, a light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy touch that kids adore.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a warm mug of hot cocoa. I also enjoy serving them alongside a charcuterie board with nuts and dried fruits to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies in a festive tin layered with parchment paper or stacking them in a glass jar tied with a red ribbon as a charming edible gift. They also make adorable toppers for cupcakes or cake pops!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store these Christmas Sprinkles Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days—ideal for making ahead for your holiday gatherings.

Freezing

To freeze, I lay the unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. This way, I can bake fresh cookies whenever I want, and the cookies themselves freeze well too for up to one month.

Reheating

To revive leftover cookies, a quick 10-15 second zap in the microwave works wonders to soften and warm them. Or pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if you want a just-baked feeling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of sprinkles for this Christmas Sprinkles Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! You can customize the sprinkles to match any occasion or your personal preference. Jimmies, nonpareils, or even pearl sprinkles look lovely and all work well.

Why does the recipe call for instant pudding mix?

The instant vanilla pudding mix adds extra moisture and a tender, soft texture to the cookies that you won’t get with regular cookie dough. It’s a little secret ingredient that makes all the difference!

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Try swapping the butter for a plant-based alternative and using a dairy-free instant pudding mix. The texture might differ slightly, but it’s still delicious and festive!

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

The key is chilling the dough before baking. This firms up the butter and helps the cookies keep their shape, resulting in thicker, softer cookies that don’t spread out too thin.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Sprinkles Cookies feel like a warm hug every time I bake them, and I genuinely hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. They bring such joy not just in flavor but in the fun of creating something festive and delicious. Go ahead and try this recipe—you’ll have a batch of soft, colorful cookies that'll quickly become a holiday favorite in your kitchen, too.