Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Is there anything more magical than the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting through your home during the holidays? 🎄✨ These Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are the ultimate festive treat. Buttery, pillowy-soft inside with a delicate crunch outside from the red, green, and white nonpareils, these cookies are everything you want in a Christmas bite—and more. Whether you’re baking for Santa, whipping up something special for a cookie exchange, or just need a cozy treat to go with your mug of cocoa, these cookies are about to become your go-to holiday favorite.

With their sparkling sugar-coated surface and creamy white chocolate chunks peeking through each bite, they’re just as pretty as they are delicious. Let’s roll up those sleeves, preheat that oven, and dive into one of the easiest, tastiest holiday cookie recipes ever.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Let’s be real—there are a lot of Christmas cookie recipes out there. But these? These are special. Here’s why:

Buttery & Soft Inside: The combo of butter and cream cheese creates the silkiest, richest texture you can imagine.
Magical Crunch Outside: Thanks to the sprinkle-sugar coating, every bite starts with a delicate crunch before melting in your mouth.
No Fancy Tools Needed: Just a bowl, mixer, and your hands—no cookie cutters or special molds.

Festive AF: The red, green, and white nonpareils are an instant holiday mood booster.
Kid-Friendly: Easy to roll, fun to decorate, and perfect for little hands.

These cookies don’t just taste like Christmas—they look like it too!

Ingredients Overview

Let’s break down what you’ll need to create these festive beauties:

Butter (1 cup): Softened, unsalted. This gives richness and that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Cream Cheese (4 oz): Also softened. Adds creaminess and soft texture.

Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Provides sweetness and a smooth, tender crumb.
All-Purpose Flour (2 ¼ cups): The structure builder.
Cornstarch (½ cup): The secret to that pillowy softness.
Salt (¼ tsp): Just a touch to balance the sweetness.
Vanilla Extract (1–2 tsp): Use real vanilla for the best flavor.

White Chocolate Chips (¾ cup): Creamy little pockets that melt inside.

Coating:

Nonpareils (Red, Green, White): These tiny sugar balls add crunch and color.
Granulated Sugar (¼–½ cup): Helps the sprinkles stick and adds sparkle.

Each ingredient plays its part to create the perfect festive bite. Don’t skip or swap unless you’re following a variation (we’ll get to that later)!

Let’s Talk About the Sprinkles

So what exactly are nonpareils? These teeny-tiny round sprinkles are a holiday classic. Unlike larger, softer sprinkles, nonpareils have a crunchy texture that holds up during baking and gives a lovely contrast to the tender cookie.

For the best Christmas vibes:

Use a mix of red, green, and white.
Combine them with granulated sugar to help them coat more evenly and stick better to the dough.

Roll firmly so they really embed into the dough ball before baking.

Pro Tip: The sugar gives the cookies a subtle “frosty” look, kind of like they’ve been dusted with snow ❄️.

White Chocolate Magic

You’ll notice we’re not using regular chocolate chips here. Why white chocolate?

It adds creamy richness without overpowering the vanilla base.
It pairs beautifully with the sprinkle coating and adds a festive snowy look when the cookies are cracked open.
White chocolate chunks (if chopped from a bar) can create gooey little pockets—highly recommended!

Want a flavor twist? Add:

A hint of peppermint extract for a minty holiday flavor.

Some orange or lemon zest for a citrus kick.

But the original white chocolate version? Absolute perfection. 🤍

How to Get That Melt-in-Your-Mouth Texture

This recipe is all about texture. We want soft, tender, cloud-like cookies that practically disappear when you take a bite.

Here’s how to get there:

Cream butter and cream cheese well. Don’t rush this step—it’s what makes the cookies so smooth.
Use powdered sugar. It dissolves quickly and contributes to the soft texture.

Add cornstarch. A little cornstarch lightens the flour and keeps the cookies from becoming dense.
Chill the dough. A short chill helps prevent spreading and keeps your cookies round and puffy.

You’ll end up with cookies that are fluffy inside, gently cracked on top, and sparkling on the outside.

Step-by-Step Baking Instructions

Now let’s get to the good stuff: baking these beauties. Here’s the full breakdown:

Cream the Butter & Cream Cheese (2 mins)
Use a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat until smooth, creamy, and slightly fluffy.
Add Powdered Sugar & Vanilla (1–2 mins)
Mix until pale and light. You’re building flavor and air here.

Combine Dry Ingredients (Flour, Cornstarch, Salt)
Whisk in a separate bowl, then gradually add to the wet mix. Mix on low until dough forms.
Fold in White Chocolate (1 min)
Use a spatula or wooden spoon. Evenly distribute chunks or chips throughout.
Chill the Dough (20–30 mins)
Pop the bowl in the fridge. This keeps the cookies from spreading and helps the coating stick better.

Prepare the Coating
In a shallow dish, mix nonpareils and sugar. This is your sparkle station!
Scoop & Roll (5 mins)
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to portion dough. Roll into balls (don’t flatten!).
Coat in Sprinkles (3 mins)
Roll each ball firmly in the sprinkle-sugar mix until fully covered.

Bake (9–11 mins at 350°F)
Cookies should be puffy, lightly cracked, and still pale. Don’t overbake!
Cool (5 mins on sheet, then rack)
Let them rest to finish setting up.

Tips for Rolling the Cookies Perfectly

Making the perfect cookie ball isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little technique—especially when sprinkles are involved.

Here are a few pro tips to help you roll like a holiday cookie master:

Scoop evenly. A 1 to 1½ tablespoon cookie scoop helps make every cookie uniform in size, which means even baking.
Roll with warm hands. If your hands are a bit warm, it helps soften the dough just enough to roll smoothly without cracking.

Press into the coating. Nonpareils can be a bit stubborn. Make sure to firmly press the cookie dough ball into the sprinkle-sugar mixture so it really sticks.
Roll again if needed. After coating, give them one last gentle roll in your hands to secure the sprinkles and smooth the shape.

What you’re aiming for is a perfectly round, fully coated ball—kind of like a snowball rolled in Christmas confetti!

Baking Tips to Nail the Texture

Let’s face it: holiday baking can be stressful. But with these tips, you’ll avoid the most common cookie mistakes and get that heavenly melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time.

Watch the oven like a hawk. These cookies bake FAST. At 9 minutes they may look underdone—but that’s exactly what you want. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Don’t brown them. If they start to turn golden, they’ve gone too far. You want pale, puffy tops and lightly cracked edges.

Bake on parchment. This prevents over-browning on the bottoms and makes cleanup a breeze.
One tray at a time. To ensure even baking, stick to one cookie sheet per batch.

Remember, soft cookies always firm up after resting. So even if they seem too soft straight out of the oven, trust the process. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Storage and Shelf Life

Once your kitchen is filled with the aroma of fresh-baked sprinkle cookies and your countertop is covered with colorful treats… what next?

Here’s how to store them for maximum freshness:

Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep them away from moisture to avoid the sprinkles bleeding.
Refrigerate: Not necessary unless your house is super warm—but if you do, let them come to room temp before serving.

Layer with parchment: If stacking cookies, use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.

These cookies hold their shape and texture beautifully when stored properly. They’re still soft and buttery days later—which is a miracle in the cookie world!

Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips

Planning ahead? Holiday prep just got easier with these freezer-friendly tips.

To freeze dough:

Shape into balls, coat in sprinkles, and place on a tray.
Freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag.
Bake straight from frozen—just add 1–2 extra minutes to bake time.

To freeze baked cookies:

Cool completely.
Layer in an airtight container with parchment.
Freeze up to 2 months.

Thawing tip: Let them come to room temperature naturally. Microwaving can melt the sprinkles and make them too soft.

Freezing means you can have fresh-baked holiday magic on demand. Pull out a few whenever guests drop by or that cookie craving hits!

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

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Author: Lora
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45–55 minutes
Category: Christmas Cookies / Holiday Treats / Easy Soft Cookies

Print Recipe

Description

🎄✨ Soft, buttery, festive, and coated in magical Christmas nonpareils! These cookies are tender inside, sparkly outside, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for gifting, sharing, and holiday snacking! 🍪❤️

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened
4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
2 ¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (60 g) cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
¾ cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate

Coating:

1 cup red nonpareils
1 cup green nonpareils
½ cup white nonpareils
¼–½ cup granulated sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy. 🧈
⏱️ 2 minutes

Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until light and creamy. 🍦
⏱️ 1–2 minutes
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt. Add to the butter mixture and mix on low until a soft dough forms. 🥣
⏱️ 2 minutes
Fold in white chocolate chips to create creamy pockets inside. 🤍
⏱️ 1 minute

Chill the dough to help the cookies keep their shape. ❄️
⏱️ 20–30 minutes
Mix red, green, and white nonpareils with granulated sugar to create the sprinkle coating. 🌈
⏱️ 1 minute
Scoop dough into balls (1–1½ tablespoons each), rolling until smooth. ⚪
⏱️ 5 minutes

Roll each dough ball firmly into the sprinkle mixture until fully coated. ✨
⏱️ 3 minutes
Bake at 350°F (175°C) until puffy, soft, and lightly cracked. Do not overbake. 🔥
⏱️ 9–11 minutes
Cool on the baking sheet before transferring to a rack to finish cooling. ❄️
⏱️ 5 minutes

Notes

These cookies stay very soft thanks to the cream cheese + cornstarch combo.
Chilling the dough is essential to keep the cookies round and thick.
Rolling in mixed nonpareils gives the cookies their signature crunchy festive shell.

Do not overbake — they should look pale and slightly cracked for the meltaway texture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 24 cookies
Calories: 120 kcal

Gifting Ideas for These Cookies

Want to win the holidays? Give the gift of homemade cookies. These Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are practically begging to be shared—and they look just as festive as they taste.

Here are a few fun packaging ideas:

Holiday cookie tins: Line with tissue paper and stack them up for a cheerful presentation.
Clear cellophane bags: Tie with red and green ribbon and add a mini ornament.
Mason jars: Stack cookies and wrap the lid with festive fabric and a tag.

DIY cookie box: Pair with hot cocoa packets, a candy cane, and a handwritten recipe card.

These cookies travel well, don’t crumble easily, and will absolutely wow anyone who receives them. Great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, and cookie exchanges!

You may also read:

Perfect Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies Recipe

Sparkling Twisted Christmas Wreath Cookies

Variations and Add-ins

The original recipe is near perfect—but if you’re in the mood to experiment, here are some fun twists:

Peppermint White Chocolate: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and a few crushed candy canes.
Almond Joy Vibes: Add almond extract and chopped almonds.
Citrus Twist: Fold in orange or lemon zest with the white chocolate.
Milk or Dark Chocolate: Swap the white chocolate for your favorite type.

Sprinkle Swap: Use metallic gold or blue sprinkles for Hanukkah, or rainbow for birthdays!

You can even go gluten-free by using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and checking your other ingredients for compliance.

Let your imagination run wild—just keep the soft dough and sugar coating as your base.

What to Serve with Christmas Sprinkle Cookies

Looking to make a whole cozy vibe out of these cookies? Here’s what pairs perfectly:

Hot Cocoa: Especially peppermint or white chocolate varieties.
Mulled Cider: Warm, spiced, and festive.
Eggnog: A classic Christmas pairing!
Coffee or Espresso: Because sweet cookies + bitter coffee = chef’s kiss.
Vanilla Milkshakes: For an unexpected but delightful treat.

These cookies also hold their own beautifully on a dessert platter with other treats like fudge, peppermint bark, or mini pies. They’ll be the first to disappear—guaranteed.

Similar recipes :

Peppermint Chocolate-Dipped Sandwich Cookies

Soft Christmas Cookies Recipe:

Conclusion

Christmas isn’t complete without cookies—and these Melt-in-Your-Mouth Christmas Sprinkle Cookies are everything you’ve been dreaming of. Buttery, soft, colorful, and cheerful, they bring joy with every bite. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and absolutely perfect for gifting or snacking by the fire.

So go ahead—grab those sprinkles, crank up the carols, and make a batch of cookies that’ll light up the holidays in the most delicious way possible.

Happy baking, and may your cookies be merry and bright! 🎄🍪

FAQs

1. Can I use different sprinkles?
Yes! You can use jimmies, sanding sugar, or even crushed candy canes. But nonpareils give the best crunchy coating.

2. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. Just make sure to chill the dough between batches and use separate baking sheets.

3. Can kids help make these?
Totally! Kids love rolling the dough balls and dunking them in sprinkles—just expect a little mess (and a lot of fun!).

4. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Most likely the dough was too warm. Make sure to chill it for at least 20 minutes before baking.

5. Can I skip chilling the dough?
Technically yes, but they may spread too much and lose that thick, puffy shape. A quick chill is worth it!

Hi, I’m Lora!

I'm so glad you've found your way here. My kitchen is my happy place, and if you're just starting your own cooking journey, I want you to know you're in the right place.

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