Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles Recipe
If you’re searching for the kind of treat that makes every occasion brighter, Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles are about to become your new obsession! Imagine everything you adore about birthday cake — that sweet, nostalgic aroma, buttery crumb, and, of course, the pop of festive color — transformed into thick, chewy cookies topped with a pillowy frosting. Each bite is tender, fun, and pure happiness. Whether it’s a holiday celebration, family movie night, or just because, these cookies bring instant joy and are impossibly hard to resist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the best part: the recipe for Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles is simple and uses pantry staples you probably already have! Each ingredient plays an important role in giving these cookies their signature taste, texture, and the sprinkle-studded appearance that makes them so charming.
- Unsalted butter (1 ½ cups + 1 cup, softened): Plenty of butter ensures rich flavor and a chewy, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.
- Granulated sugar (1 ¼ cups): Adds classic sweetness and helps achieve that beloved chewy texture.
- Light brown sugar (¼ cup): A hint of molasses for depth, softness, and color.
- Eggs (2 large): Bind everything together and add extra structure so the cookies hold their shape.
- Cake batter extract (2 teaspoons + ½ teaspoon for frosting): Infuses every cookie with those unmistakable, bakery-style cake flavors; vanilla extract can be swapped if needed.
- Baking powder (3 teaspoons): Provides the perfect lift for fluffy, tender cookies.
- Salt (1 teaspoon in dough + ¼ teaspoon in frosting): Balances sweetness and enhances every other flavor.
- All-purpose flour (4 cups): The base for thick, sturdy, yet ultra-tender cookies.
- Holiday sprinkles (1 cup): The key to fun, festive cookies with bursts of color in every bite!
- Powdered sugar (5 cups): Essential for fluffy, cloud-like frosting that crowns each cookie.
- Heavy whipping cream (2-4 tablespoons): A little goes a long way for creamy, spreadable, perfect frosting.
How to Make Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Cookie Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While the oven heats, line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This step is crucial — it guarantees cookies that bake up evenly and release easily without sticking.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or a large bowl and hand mixer), beat your softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar on low speed. Keep mixing until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and looks almost like frosting itself. This process gives your Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles their special texture!
Step 3: Add Eggs and Cake Batter Extract
Crack in your eggs and pour in the cake batter extract. Beat on medium speed to blend everything together. The extract gives these cookies their magical cake flavor, so don’t skip it!
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Now, mix in the baking powder and salt, followed by the flour. To avoid a flour cloud, add the dry ingredients gradually. Scrape the sides of your bowl occasionally to make sure no pockets of flour are stuck at the bottom. When done, you’ll have a smooth, thick dough ready for sprinkle magic.
Step 5: Stir in Sprinkles
Gently fold in the sprinkles, mixing just until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough. This simple step transforms ordinary cookies into a party, bringing joy and color in every scoop!
Step 6: Shape and Flatten Cookies
Scoop out balls of dough (about 2–3 tablespoons each) and place them a good 3–4 inches apart on your cookie sheets. Flatten each mound slightly with the bottom of a drinking glass — this helps them bake evenly and makes space for that luscious frosting later.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies for 13–16 minutes if making smaller (2-tablespoon) cookies, or 18–20 minutes for the larger size. Look for edges that are lightly golden and tops that are just set. Let the cookies cool completely on the pan before frosting — patience is worth it!
Step 8: Make the Fluffy Frosting
While the cookies cool, whip up your frosting. Beat the softened butter until smooth, then gradually add in the powdered sugar (it will look dry and crumbly at first, don’t worry!). Add salt, cake batter extract or vanilla, and a couple tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat until you have smooth, fluffy frosting that’s easy to spread — add more cream if needed.
Step 9: Frost and Finish the Cookies
Once your cookies are completely cool, frost them however you like! Use a spoon or butter knife for a simple swirl, or a pastry bag and round tip for bakery-worthy spirals. Add a few extra sprinkles on top for maximum “wow” factor.
Step 10: Storing or Freezing for Later
If you’re somehow able to wait, store the finished Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles in an airtight container for up to three days, or freeze them unfrosted for up to three months. This way, you can always have a batch ready for spontaneous celebrations!
How to Serve Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles
Garnishes
Go ahead and add another shower of sprinkles on top of each frosted cookie to crank up the cheerfulness! If you’re feeling extra, try rainbow nonpareils, shimmer sprinkles, or even edible glitter for a dazzling finish. A quick dusting of colored sanding sugar can also provide a pretty sparkle and fun crunch with every bite.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a tall glass of cold milk, a creamy latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re serving them at a party, add some fresh berries on the side for a pop of tartness that balances all that cake batter sweetness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Put your Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles on parade by stacking them on a tiered stand, lining them up in clear treat bags tied with ribbon, or arranging them in a big, colorful cookie box. For birthdays or baby showers, consider making a “cookie cake” by stacking frosted cookies in a tower, held together with extra dollops of frosting and topped with candles or themed toppers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once decorated, the best way to keep your Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles fresh and soft is by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer parchment or wax paper between cookies to keep the frosting smudge-free. Enjoy within 3 days for ultimate freshness, though they seldom last that long!
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies in advance, freeze unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container for up to three months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw at room temperature before adding fresh frosting and (of course) another dash of sprinkles!
Reheating
If your cookies have been frozen, just let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying. There’s no need to reheat them, but if you love a slightly warm cookie, pop them in a 300°F oven for 2–3 minutes (unfrosted only), then cool and frost for that straight-from-the-bakery feel.
FAQs
Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of cake batter extract?
Absolutely! Vanilla extract will give your cookies a classic sweet flavor. However, for that nostalgic cake batter taste that makes Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles extra special, the cake batter extract is a fun upgrade if you have it.
What’s the best way to get bright, non-bleeding sprinkles?
Opt for “jimmies” style sprinkles rather than nonpareils or sanding sugar for the dough; these hold their color best and won’t bleed into your dough as it bakes. Always fold sprinkles in gently at the end to preserve vivid color.
Can I make the dough ahead and chill it?
Definitely! You can make the cookie dough and refrigerate it, tightly wrapped, for up to 48 hours. Chilled dough often produces a slightly thicker, chewier cookie too!
How should I frost the cookies for a bakery look?
For picture-perfect swirls, use a piping bag fitted with a round or star tip. Start in the center and spiral out. Sprinkle a few extra Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles on top for instant wow!
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Keep in mind that texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious and fun.
Final Thoughts
Baking a batch of Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles is an invitation for joy — bright, festive, and full of childhood memories in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try them, share them with people you love, and make every celebration (big or small) a little bit sweeter. Why not whip up a batch this week and let the sprinkles do the talking?
Print
Cake Batter Cookies Sprinkles Recipe
- Total Time: 38 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Cake Batter Cookies with Sprinkles are a delightful treat that captures the essence of a festive celebration. The soft, buttery cookies are infused with cake batter flavor and adorned with colorful holiday sprinkles. Paired with a creamy frosting, these cookies are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups (339g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons cake batter extract
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups (492g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup holiday sprinkles
Frosting:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 5 cups (575g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon cake batter extract or vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2–4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Prepare oven and cookie sheets – Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix butter and sugars – Cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add eggs and extract – Incorporate eggs and cake batter extract.
- Incorporate dry ingredients – Mix in baking powder, salt, and flour until smooth.
- Add sprinkles – Gently fold in holiday sprinkles.
- Shape cookie dough – Form dough into balls and flatten on the baking sheet.
- Bake cookies – Bake until golden, then cool.
- Prepare frosting – Beat butter, sugar, and cream until smooth.
- Frost cookies – Decorate cooled cookies with frosting.
- Store or freeze cookies – Store in an airtight container or freeze for later enjoyment.
Notes
- You can customize the sprinkles for different occasions or holidays.
- Adjust the frosting consistency by adding more or less cream.
- These cookies make a great gift or party favor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Cake Batter Cookies, Sprinkles, Holiday Baking, Frosting, Party Treat
