Name: No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 3 h 18 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick); ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup light brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; 2 tablespoons cream or half-and-half; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (clear imitation preferred); 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste); ¾ cup red, green, and white jimmies (sprinkles), plus more for topping

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 22 reviews

If you’re looking for a festive cookie that’s bursting with holiday cheer but doesn’t require rolling out dough or digging out your rolling pin, you’re going to love this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe. These beauties are soft, buttery, and flecked with colorful sprinkles that scream Christmas spirit. I promise, once you try them, they’ll become your go-to holiday treat because they’re super easy yet look like you spent hours making them.

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Why This Recipe Works

No Rolling Required: Saves you time and limits mess — cookies come together in simple scoops.
Chill Time for Perfect Texture: Chilling the dough prevents spreading so cookies stay thick and soft.
Classic Nostalgic Flavor: Using clear imitation vanilla gives that bakery-fresh holiday vibe every bite.
Sprinkle Fun: The jimmies give a colorful crunch and festive look that’s impossible to resist.

No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, easy holiday cookies, festive Christmas cookies, no-bake Christmas treats, colorful sprinkle cookies - A white plate filled with twelve round cookies stacked in a slightly overlapping way. Each cookie is light golden brown with a soft texture and topped with colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white, scattered evenly across the surface. The cookies have visible darker spots where chocolate chips or similar small ingredients are baked inside. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, adding a clean, bright background to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe mixes pantry basics with a few special touches that make the difference between “meh” cookies and “wow” cookies. Each ingredient plays its part — butter for richness, cream for moisture, cornstarch for that tender crumb, and sprinkles for pure holiday joy.

No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, easy holiday cookies, festive Christmas cookies, no-bake Christmas treats, colorful sprinkle cookies - Flat lay of a small mound of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of packed light brown sugar, one large uncracked brown egg, a small white ceramic bowl of cream, a small white ceramic bowl of clear imitation vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of cornstarch, a small white ceramic bowl of baking soda, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl filled with red, green, and white jimmies sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically 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 gives these cookies a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Don’t substitute with margarine — butter is key here.
Granulated and Light Brown Sugar: The combo adds a subtle caramel note and the right sweetness balance.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds lift.
Cream or Half-and-Half: Adds extra moisture to keep the cookies soft and slightly chewy.
Vanilla Extract (Clear Imitation): Gives that nostalgic bakery vibe, making these cookies feel extra special.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, ensuring structure.
Cornstarch: A little secret ingredient — it softens the cookies and gives them a delicate crumb.
Baking Soda: Provides just enough leavening for a subtle rise without puffing the cookies up.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances sweetness.
Red, Green, and White Jimmies (Sprinkles): Not just for looks — they add a fun crunch and holiday color splash.

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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.

Tweak to Your Taste

I like to keep this recipe pretty classic because the sprinkle colors make them feel so festive already, but I’ve definitely explored a few tweaks over the years. Feel free to make this recipe your own!

Variation: Swapping out the sprinkles for chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips gives a grown-up twist if you want something a bit less sweet or more textured.
Dietary Modifications: I’ve tried using a gluten-free blend instead of all-purpose flour with great results — just make sure it has xanthan gum for structure.
Flavor Boost: A pinch of cinnamon or a bit of almond extract can add a seasonal surprise that’s delightful with the sprinkles.

Step-by-Step: How I Make No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by beating together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture looks pale and fluffy — this usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes on medium-high speed with a stand mixer. Scrape down the sides once or twice so everything gets nicely incorporated. Ever rushed this step? The cookies won’t have that lovely tender crumb, so take your time!

Step 2: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Cream

Next up, add the egg and your clear imitation-vanilla extract — this clear vanilla is my secret weapon for that classic cookie shop taste — and beat again for about 2 minutes. Then stir in the cream or half-and-half. Don’t freak out if the dough looks a little grainy or separated here; it’s totally normal and will come together once you add the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles

Reduce your mixer speed to low and add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, mixing just until everything is combined (about a minute). Overmixing here can toughen your cookies, so keep an eye. Then toss in your festive sprinkles and combine gently, so the colors don’t bleed but get evenly scattered.

Step 4: Chill the Dough for Perfect Shape

This step is *so* important. Use a 2-tablespoon scoop or your hands to make about 17 mounds of dough. I like the scoop because the dough is soft and tricky to handle otherwise. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, up to 5 days. I learned that baking unchilled dough means cookies spread too thin — no one wants flat, sad cookies at Christmas!

Step 5: Bake and Sprinkle

When ready, flatten each dough mound gently about halfway down. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prep your baking sheets (I love a Silpat liner, but parchment works too). Place the cookies spaced about 2 inches apart so they have room to puff just right. Top each cookie with a little extra sprinkle pinch and press lightly so they stick. Bake for about 8 minutes — edges should be set, and centers might still look slightly glossy (that’s okay!). Let cool right on the baking sheet; this gives them time to firm up without losing softness.

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Pro Tips for Making No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Butter: This ensures your sugars cream up nicely, giving the cookies their delicate texture.
Don’t Skip Chilling: I learned this the hard way—chilling helps control spread and boosts flavor absorption.
Gently Fold in Sprinkles: Mixing on low speed or by hand prevents colors from bleeding and keeps them vibrant.
Watch the Bake Time: Cookies may look slightly underbaked in the center coming out of the oven, but they set as they cool, ensuring soft, chewy perfection.

How to Serve No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I keep the garnish simple — extra holiday-themed sprinkles on top are my go-to because they add sparkle and crunch. Sometimes I dust the edges with a dab of powdered sugar for a snowy effect, especially if I’m gifting these cookies.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or spiced eggnog to really capture that holiday spirit. They’re great alongside a fruit platter or nuts if you’re hosting a bigger gathering — the sweetness balances those savory sides nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to stack them in a clear jar tied with a red ribbon or arrange them on a festive plate alongside other treats for a colorful cookie platter. Wrapping small batches in cellophane bags with a pretty tag makes charming homemade gifts that everyone asks for year after year.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (or if you’re just super organized), store your baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to one week, which is great because these cookies tend to disappear fast in my house.

Freezing

I freeze the unbaked dough in portioned mounds, tightly wrapped or sealed in freezer bags. It freezes beautifully for up to 4 months, so I can bake a fresh batch anytime the craving hits without rerunning the whole mixing process.

Reheating

To refresh leftover baked cookies, pop them in a 300°F oven for about 4-5 minutes or microwave them for 10-15 seconds. This brings back a bit of that fresh-baked softness and makes them taste like they just came out of the oven.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of clear imitation vanilla?

Absolutely! Regular vanilla extract will work just fine and still taste delicious. However, the clear imitation vanilla gives these cookies that classic nostalgic ‘bakery’ flavor without darkening the dough, which is why I prefer it for this recipe.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough is key to preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. Without chilling, you’ll get thinner, flatter cookies that don’t have that nice soft center. Plus, chilling helps the flavors meld and improves texture.
Can I substitute sprinkles with other mix-ins?

Definitely! If you’re not a sprinkles fan, try mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit. Just keep in mind that the sprinkles add both color and texture, so your results will look and taste a bit different.
How do I know when the cookies are done?

The edges should look set and just starting to turn golden, while the centers may still look slightly glossy or underbaked. Don’t overbake — the cookies continue to set as they cool, giving you that perfect soft chew.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many holiday cookie trays these No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe have filled in my kitchen over the years. They’re reliable, festive, and so simple that even my busiest friends have made them without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re making them with kids, for a party, or just to keep the holiday joy going at home, trust me — you’ll bake these again and again. Give them a try and see how these cheerful little cookies might just become your new Christmas classic.