Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love these Funfetti Cookies because they’re simple to make with everyday baking ingredients. I don’t need any complicated decorating because the colorful sprinkles do all the work for me.
I also like the texture of these cookies. I bake them just until the edges are set so the centers remain soft and chewy after cooling.
The recipe is also easy for me to customize. I can change the sprinkle colors for different holidays, add white chocolate chips, or use different extracts to create new flavors while keeping the same basic cookie dough.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, optional
- 3/4 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, optional
Directions
1. Prepare the Oven
I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
I whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a medium bowl. I set this mixture aside while I prepare the rest of the cookie dough.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, I beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
I add the egg and egg yolk, followed by the vanilla and almond extract. I continue mixing until everything is smooth and well combined.
4. Make the Cookie Dough
I gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft cookie dough forms.
I avoid overmixing because I want my finished cookies to remain tender.
5. Add the Sprinkles
I gently fold the rainbow sprinkles into the dough. If I’m using white chocolate chips, I fold those in at the same time.
I prefer jimmies-style sprinkles because they usually hold their color better and are less likely to bleed into my cookie dough.
6. Portion the Cookies
I scoop portions of dough and roll them gently into balls. I place them about 2 inches apart on my prepared baking sheets.
For extra color, I press a few additional sprinkles onto the top of each dough ball before baking.
7. Bake
I bake the cookies for approximately 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
I avoid overbaking them because the cookies continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.
8. Cool
I leave the cookies on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
I let them cool completely before storing or serving them.
Servings and Timing
I usually get about 22–24 cookies from this recipe, depending on the size of my cookie dough portions.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 9–11 minutes per batch
- Cooling time: 15 minutes
- Total time: about 45 minutes
- Servings: 22–24 cookies
Variations
Birthday Cake Funfetti Cookies
I add white chocolate chips to the dough and use extra rainbow sprinkles. The combination gives me an even sweeter cookie with a birthday cake-inspired flavor.
Chocolate Funfetti Cookies
I replace a portion of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder and add colorful sprinkles for a chocolate version.
Holiday Funfetti Cookies
I change the sprinkles depending on the occasion. I use red and green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, orange and black for Halloween, or red and pink for Valentine’s Day.
Funfetti Cookie Sandwiches
I spread vanilla buttercream between two completely cooled cookies to make colorful cookie sandwiches. I can also roll the exposed frosting edges in extra sprinkles.
Funfetti Cookies With Chocolate Chips
I fold milk, semi-sweet, or white chocolate chips into the dough along with the sprinkles. I especially like white chocolate because it complements the vanilla flavor.
Storage/Reheating
I store my Funfetti Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days. I make sure the cookies are completely cool before storing them so excess moisture doesn’t collect inside the container.
I can refrigerate the cookie dough for up to 2–3 days before baking. I keep it tightly covered and let it soften slightly if it becomes too firm to scoop.
For longer storage, I freeze baked cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I can also freeze individual cookie dough balls and bake them later.
I don’t need to reheat these cookies, but when I want that warm, freshly baked texture, I microwave an individual cookie for about 5–10 seconds.
FAQs
What kind of sprinkles should I use for Funfetti Cookies?
I prefer rainbow jimmies because they hold their shape and color well during baking. Nonpareils can sometimes bleed their colors into the dough, so I generally save those for decorating rather than mixing them into the cookie dough.
Why did my Funfetti Cookies spread too much?
If my cookies spread excessively, my butter may have been too warm or I may not have measured the flour accurately. I can chill a particularly soft dough for about 20–30 minutes before baking to help the cookies hold their shape.
Can I make Funfetti Cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes. I prepare the dough, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 2–3 days. I can then portion and bake the cookies when I’m ready.
How do I keep Funfetti Cookies soft?
I avoid overbaking them. I take my cookies out when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly underdone. As they cool, the centers finish setting while remaining soft and chewy.
Can I freeze Funfetti Cookies?
Yes. I freeze completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I can also freeze individual balls of unbaked cookie dough and bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time when necessary.
Conclusion
Funfetti Cookies are one of my favorite ways to turn a simple sugar cookie into a colorful celebration. I get soft, chewy centers, lightly crisp edges, plenty of vanilla flavor, and rainbow sprinkles throughout every batch.
PrintFunfetti Cookies
Funfetti Cookies are soft and chewy vanilla sugar cookies packed with colorful rainbow sprinkles. Lightly crisp edges, tender centers, and festive pops of color make them perfect for birthdays, holidays, and parties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9–11 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 22–24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, optional
- 3/4 cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and creamy.
- Add the egg and egg yolk, followed by the vanilla extract and optional almond extract. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Gently fold the rainbow jimmies into the dough. If using white chocolate chips, fold them in at the same time.
- Scoop the dough into balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Press a few additional sprinkles onto each dough ball for extra color, if desired.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers still look slightly soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Jimmies-style sprinkles work best because they hold their color and are less likely to bleed into the cookie dough.
- For birthday cake cookies, add the optional white chocolate chips and extra rainbow sprinkles.
- Customize the cookies for holidays by changing the colors of the sprinkles.
- For cookie sandwiches, spread vanilla buttercream between pairs of completely cooled cookies and roll the frosting edges in additional sprinkles.
- If the dough is very soft or the cookies spread excessively, chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking.
- Do not overbake. Removing the cookies while the centers still look slightly soft helps keep them chewy.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4–5 days.
- Cookie dough can be refrigerated, tightly covered, for up to 2–3 days.
- Freeze baked cookies or individual cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. Frozen dough balls may require a couple of additional minutes of baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
