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Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 125 reviews

Delightfully colorful and buttery Rainbow Sprinkle Cookies that are soft, creamy, and festive. These cookies combine the rich flavors of cream cheese and vanilla with a crunchy, vibrant coating of rainbow sprinkles, making them perfect for celebrations or brightening up everyday moments.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
  • 4 Ounces Cream Cheese
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/3 tsp Almond Extract (use 1 1/3 tsp vanilla if you have a nut allergy or prefer no almond flavor)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 Cups Sugar
  • 3 Cups Flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt

Coating

  • Non-Pareils or Rainbow Sprinkles (or both!)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prep Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This ensures a smooth base for your cookie dough.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the cream cheese, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix together thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and salt.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the large bowl with the wet mixture, mixing on slow to medium speed. Add a little at a time until the dough is evenly moistened and forms a cohesive batter.
  6. Prepare Sprinkles: Place the nonpareils or rainbow sprinkles into a small bowl ready for coating the cookies.
  7. Shape and Coat Dough Balls: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. Roll each dough ball in the sprinkles, covering all sides except the bottom. This creates a colorful, crunchy exterior.
  8. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls on the parchment-lined cookie sheets about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading during baking.
  9. Flatten Cookies: Gently press down on each dough ball with the bottom of a glass to flatten to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. This ensures even baking and the desired cookie shape.
  10. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Watch closely to prevent browning; the cookies are done when set but still soft.
  11. Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps them set properly.

Notes

  • For nut allergies, substitute almond extract with additional vanilla extract as suggested.
  • Don’t overbake; the cookies should not brown to keep them soft and tender.
  • Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ease cleaning.
  • Vary cookie sizes by adjusting the amount of dough scooped; bake times may vary slightly.
  • Pressing down cookies before baking helps achieve an even thickness and uniform texture.

Keywords: rainbow sprinkle cookies, cream cheese cookies, festive cookies, soft cookies, colorful cookies, easy cookie recipe