There’s just something magical about bite-sized treats that make the holidays feel complete. This Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe is a festive burst of sweetness with colorful sprinkles and a tender, buttery crumb. Trust me, these little bites will brighten up any cookie tray or holiday gathering!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made plenty of holiday cookies over the years, but these Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites really stand out – they’re quick to put together, so charmingly festive, and the perfect little sweet to enjoy with a cup of cocoa.
- Effortless preparation: This recipe is straightforward enough for beginners but yields bakery-quality cookies.
- Delightfully festive: The sprinkles add that quintessential holiday pop – fun, colorful, and just the right amount of sparkle.
- Soft and tender texture: Thanks to cream cheese and butter working together, the crumb is irresistibly soft but still holds shape.
- Versatile and customizable: Swap out sprinkles or extracts to tailor the flavors to your family’s favorite holiday traditions.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe combines simple, classic ingredients that come together beautifully. Each one plays a part in creating perfect bite-sized cookies full of flavor and fun.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure for the cookies – make sure to spoon and level the flour for an accurate measure to keep texture perfect.
- Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift without over-rising, keeping the bites tender and light.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter makes the dough creamy and tender – room temp is key for easy mixing.
- Cream cheese: Adds moisture and a deliciously soft texture that sets these apart from ordinary sugar cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with slight crispness on the edges.
- Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract: Classic flavor amplifier that you can always count on.
- Almond extract: Optional, but I love the subtle nutty note it adds – you can omit if you prefer.
- Sprinkles: The star of the show – I like using a mix of sanding sugar, nonpareils, and jimmies for festive texture and color.
Make It Your Way
I love to switch things up with this Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe, which makes it even more fun to bake year after year. Whether you keep it classic or try a twist, you’re set for success.
- Variation: One year, I swapped almond extract for orange zest – the citrus flavor combined with sprinkles was an instant hit at my holiday party. You might want to give that a try!
- Diet-friendly swap: I’ve experimented with gluten-free flour blends, and it turned out nicely as long as I chilled the dough a bit longer before baking.
- Sprinkle swap: Try using gold or silver pearlized sugar for an elegant twist that still keeps that festive sparkle.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Get them nicely combined so every bite of cookie gets an even distribution of leavening and seasoning.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Cream Cheese
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together at high speed until smooth and creamy – about 2 minutes. This step is my favorite because you can already start smelling the rich, buttery aroma filling the kitchen.
Step 3: Add Sugar, Egg & Extracts
Next, add the sugar and beat until combined and creamy. Then toss in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and continue beating on high for about a minute. Scrape the sides of the bowl to make sure everything’s fully mixed.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Turn the mixer to low and add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined; the dough will be thick and a bit sticky. Avoid overmixing here or your bites might get tough.
Step 5: Chill Dough
This is key for the best results. Cover the dough tightly and chill for at least 1 hour. If you’re prepping a day or two ahead, chill up to 3-4 days. When ready to bake, let the dough sit out for 30 minutes if it was chilled long-term to soften just enough for rolling.
Step 6: Shape & Sprinkle
Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Roll tablespoon-sized balls of dough, then roll each in your bowl of sprinkles until coated. Place them about 2 inches apart to allow some spreading.
Step 7: Flatten & Bake
Press each ball down gently with the back of a glass or measuring cup – no need to go too flat, just enough for even baking. Bake for 12-13 minutes until you see the edges turning a light golden brown.
Step 8: Cool & Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. I always find this step so tempting because once cooled, they hold their shape beautifully and look so festive!
Top Tip
I’ve baked these cookies dozens of times, and my best tips come from learning what really makes a difference in texture and appearance. These little tricks will help you get them right the first time.
- Chill patiently: Don’t rush the chilling step. Cold dough gives the cookies a soft, tender crumb, and helps the shape hold up under sprinkles.
- Room temperature ingredients: Bring butter, cream cheese, and egg to room temp before mixing to ensure smooth, even blending for tender bites.
- Gentle flattening: Press cookies lightly before baking; too thin and they’ll get crisp, but just right keeps them nice and soft.
- Watch the edges: Take them out as soon as the edges are lightly golden — it’s the cue for that perfect soft center.
How to Serve Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple because these sprinkle-coated beauties don’t need much. Sometimes I dust a tiny bit of powdered sugar on top for extra festivity, or add a small edible pearl for sparkle on special occasions.
Side Dishes
These cookie bites pair perfectly with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or peppermint latte. They’re a crowd-pleaser wherever you serve them - I love putting out a tray next to mulled wine or cider during holiday parties.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, I’ve arranged these cookie bites in circular wreath shapes on large platters or nestled them in holiday-themed cupcake liners for easy grab-and-go treats. They’re also adorable tied with twine in small cellophane bags for gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh up to a week without losing their soft texture. Just make sure the container is well sealed to keep the sprinkles looking fresh and vibrant.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch, these cookie bites freeze beautifully. I like to freeze the unbaked dough balls (without sprinkles) on a tray, then transfer them to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, I let them thaw slightly, roll in sprinkles, and bake as usual.
Reheating
To refresh frozen or stored cookies, I warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This revives softness without crisping the edges too much, perfect for that fresh-baked feel.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Replacing the butter and cream cheese with vegan alternatives can work, but the texture might be a bit different. I recommend trying a vegan cream cheese and plant-based butter that are firm and not too watery, and keep chilling time longer to maintain structure.
Chilling firms up the dough, which helps the cookies hold their shape while baking, plus it helps develop better flavor and texture—especially in a recipe with cream cheese where softness is key. Skip chilling, and your cookies might spread too much or turn out dense.
Absolutely! This recipe is flexible. Using sanding sugar gives a pretty sparkle, but nonpareils or jimmies work great for added texture. If you want a seasonal vibe, use holiday-colored sprinkles or pearlized sugar to dress up your cookies.
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites stay fresh up to one week. For longer storage, freezing is a great option and preserves their texture well.
Final Thoughts
I truly treasure this Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe because it brings such joy not only to make but also to share. When I bake these, the kitchen fills with warmth and a sense of celebration that I hope you’ll experience too. So go ahead, mix up a batch, roll those colorful bites, and make your holiday season a little brighter—your friends and family will thank you!
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Holiday Sprinkle Cookie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 32 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas Cookie Sparkles are buttery, soft, and loaded with colorful sprinkles for a cheerful holiday treat. The dough blends cream cheese and butter for a tender texture, then is rolled in sparkling sugar before baking to a perfect light golden finish. Easy to make and perfect for sharing at holiday parties or gifting.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g), spooned & leveled
- 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (16 Tbsp; 226g), softened to room temperature
- 2 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese (57g), softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Coating
- ¾ cup sprinkles (150g) - sanding sugar, nonpareils, and/or jimmies
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl until fully combined. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add Sugar and Flavorings: Add the granulated sugar and beat until creamy. Then add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract and beat on high speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl's sides and bottom as needed.
- Combine Dry and Wet: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap or foil and chill for at least 1 hour up to 3-4 days. If chilled longer than 3 hours, let the dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before proceeding.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Form Cookies: Roll about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie into balls. Roll each ball in sprinkles to coat completely.
- Arrange and Flatten: Place the sprinkle-coated dough balls 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Using the back of a measuring cup or glass, gently press down each ball to slightly flatten.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can make the dough ahead and chill up to 3-4 days. Let sit 30 minutes at room temperature if chilled longer.
- Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw in fridge overnight and bring to room temperature before serving.
- Unbaked cookie dough balls (without sprinkles) freeze up to 3 months; thaw 30 minutes at room temperature before rolling in sprinkles and baking.
- Almond extract is optional and adds flavor; omit if preferred with no substitution necessary.
- Use your favorite sprinkles such as sanding sugar, nonpareils, or jimmies to decorate these festive cookies.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup and perfect baking.
- Let cookies cool fully on a wire rack to maintain texture and prevent sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
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