The holidays are a time for cozy lights, sweet smells, and yes — easy treats that everyone loves. These Mini Ritz Freckles, also known as Christmas Sprinkle Ritz Sandwiches, hit the perfect balance between sweet, salty, and irresistibly crunchy. They’re so simple that you don’t even have to turn on the oven, but they look like something straight out of a holiday bakery. Think of them as the lazy baker’s cookie… but with 100% holiday magic.
You’ve probably seen treats like these at cookie swaps or tucked into festive tins at Grandma’s house. Now, it’s your turn to bring this delightful snack to the table — literally!
What Are Mini Ritz Freckles?
These no-bake cookies are made by sandwiching Ritz crackers with vanilla frosting (colored in Christmas red and green), then rolling the edges in holiday nonpareil sprinkles to create a “freckled” effect. They’re called freckles because the sprinkles look like bright little holiday spots all around the edges.
They’re small, bite-sized, colorful, and totally snackable. Pop one in your mouth and you’ll get that salty-sweet combo that’s impossible to resist. Plus, look how cute they are in that Santa cookie jar! 😍
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Treat
Here’s why these little sandwich cookies should make it to your holiday “must-make” list:
- Festive and fun: The red, green, and white sprinkles make these cookies scream Christmas!
- Super easy to make: No oven. No fancy tools. Just mix, spread, roll, and chill.
- Kid-friendly: Little hands can help assemble, color frosting, or roll in sprinkles.
- Perfect for parties: These bite-sized snacks are ideal for holiday platters.
- Great for gifting: Wrap them up in cellophane or add to a cookie tin — instant homemade gift!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let’s break down exactly what you need to whip up a batch of Mini Ritz Freckles:
- 2 sleeves Ritz crackers (you’ll get about 60 crackers, which makes around 30 sandwich cookies)
- 1 cup vanilla frosting – Store-bought is totally fine, or you can make your own.
- Red & green food coloring – Gel works best for bright colors.
- 1 cup red, green & white nonpareil sprinkles – The tiny round sprinkles stick the best.
That’s it — four simple ingredients!
Choosing the Best Crackers
Why Ritz? Because they’re the perfect mix of buttery, salty, and crispy. Plus, their size makes them ideal for sandwich cookies. The lightly salted tops also give that sweet-and-salty balance when paired with frosting.
Alternatives? You could use other round butter crackers if needed, but avoid ones that are too sweet or crumbly. Ritz has just the right snap!
Store-Bought vs. Homemade Frosting
If you’re short on time, grab a tub of vanilla frosting. But if you’ve got a few extra minutes, homemade frosting adds an extra layer of deliciousness.
Here’s a quick vanilla frosting recipe:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tbsp milk (adjust for texture)
Whip everything until smooth and fluffy. Then divide and tint with red and green food coloring.
How to Color the Frosting
Gel food coloring is the way to go — it gives you bold color without making the frosting runny.
- Use a toothpick to add a small amount of red or green gel to each bowl.
- Mix well and add more if needed.
- Make sure your colors are bright and vibrant — you want them to pop between the crackers!
Let’s Make Mini Ritz Freckles (Step-by-Step Recipe)
Alright, let’s dive into the fun part! You can knock these out in under an hour, with plenty of time left for holiday movies.
Step 1: Prepare the Frosting
- Divide your frosting evenly into two small bowls.
- Add red coloring to one, green to the other.
- Mix until the colors are vibrant and smooth.
Step 2: Assemble the Sandwich Cookies
- Lay out half your crackers (flat side up).
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of colored frosting onto each.
- Top with another cracker (flat side down), gently pressing so the frosting spreads to the edge.
Step 3: Roll in Sprinkles
- Pour your nonpareil sprinkles into a shallow bowl or plate.
- Gently roll the edges of each cookie sandwich in the sprinkles.
- The frosting on the sides should be just sticky enough to catch the sprinkles easily.
Step 4: Chill and Set
- Place your finished cookies onto a tray or plate.
- Chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to firm them up.
Step 5: Serve or Store
- Once set, you can serve them right away or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–4 days (or fridge for up to a week).
Sprinkle Tips and Tricks
Want to avoid a sprinkle explosion in your kitchen?
- Use a tray with high sides to catch excess sprinkles.
- Work over parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Use nonpareils instead of jimmies or sanding sugar — they stick best and look festive.
You can even mix in some edible glitter or mini snowflake sprinkles for extra sparkle!
Creative Variations
Want to jazz things up even more? Try these fun twists:
- Chocolate-dipped edges: After rolling in sprinkles, dip half the cookie in melted chocolate and chill.
- Peppermint twist: Mix in a drop of peppermint extract to the frosting for a minty bite.
- Peanut butter surprise: Add a thin layer of peanut butter before the frosting for a salty-sweet combo.
- Color overload: Make more colors – blue, gold, or white for a snow-themed treat.
Mini Ritz Freckles
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Category: No-Bake Holiday Dessert / Christmas Treats
Description
🎄🥨 Sweet, salty, crunchy, and completely addictive! These festive little sandwich crackers bring back the joy of holiday trays on the kitchen counter, fingers sneaking one more before dinner. They’re simple, cheerful, and always vanish faster than expected ✨
Ingredients
2 sleeves Ritz crackers 🧂
1 cup vanilla frosting (store-bought or homemade) 🍦
Red food coloring ❤️
Green food coloring 💚
1 cup red, green & white nonpareil sprinkles 🎄
Instructions
Divide the frosting into two bowls and tint one red and one green until vibrant and festive (5 minutes) 🎨
Spread about 1 teaspoon of frosting onto the flat side of a Ritz cracker, then top with another cracker to form a sandwich, gently pressing until the frosting reaches the edges (10 minutes) 🥨
Roll only the frosted edges of each sandwich into the nonpareil sprinkles so they cling beautifully all around (10 minutes) ✨
Arrange the crackers on a tray and chill until the frosting firms up nicely (20–30 minutes) ❄️
Serve right away or tuck them into an airtight container for sharing, gifting, or sneaking later (2 minutes) 🎁
Notes
These bite-sized Ritz sandwiches are a perfect balance of sweet and salty, which makes them incredibly addictive.
Ideal for holiday cookie trays, classroom parties, or homemade gift boxes wrapped in cellophane.
You can switch the frosting colors to match any holiday or event (pastels for Easter, red and pink for Valentine’s Day).
They store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, making them great for prepping ahead during busy holiday weeks.
Kids love helping with the sprinkle-rolling step—it’s messy, joyful, and full of memories in the making.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 30 sandwich crackers
- Calories: 160 kcal per serving
How to Make These with Kids
This recipe isn’t just a holiday treat — it’s a holiday activity! Kids absolutely love helping in the kitchen, especially when sprinkles are involved. These Mini Ritz Freckles are the perfect edible craft project:
- No baking = Safe fun. There’s no need to deal with hot ovens or sharp tools.
- Coloring the frosting is an easy way to get little ones involved. Let them pick their favorite color combos — who says you have to stick to red and green?
- Sandwiching the crackers can be a game. How many can they make in 5 minutes without breaking one?
- Rolling in sprinkles is messy — but that’s part of the joy! (Tip: Set up a “sprinkle station” over a tray or rimmed plate to control the chaos.)
💡 Pro tip: Turn on some Christmas music and make this part of a “Holiday Cookie Decorating Hour.” It’s quality time and sweet snacks all in one.
How to Store and Keep Fresh
After you’ve made a big batch, you’ll want to store these cookies properly to keep them fresh and crunchy.
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.
- Refrigerate: Keeps them a bit firmer and lasts up to 1 week.
- Freeze: YES, you can freeze them! Wrap each sandwich in wax paper or store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Let them thaw at room temp before serving.
🥶 Freezing tip: If you’re planning to freeze, use a slightly firmer frosting (homemade works best) so they hold up better.
You may like also :
Ritz Cracker Christmas Treats
Ritz Cracker Caramel Peanut Stacks (No-Bake Style)
Perfect for Gifting
These cheerful sandwich cookies are practically made for gifting! Whether you’re visiting family, bringing a little something for the neighbors, or surprising teachers and delivery drivers — these Mini Ritz Freckles hit the sweet spot.
🎁 Gifting ideas:
- Pack a dozen in clear holiday treat bags and tie with festive ribbon.
- Add a personal note or tag that says “Homemade with love 💕.”
- Pair with hot cocoa mix or mini marshmallows for a themed treat.
- Drop into holiday cookie tins alongside fudge, chocolate bark, or sugar cookies for a homemade assortment.
These treats hold up well and don’t crumble easily, so they travel great and look super professional — even though they’re easy-peasy to make!
Serving Ideas
There are so many creative ways to serve Mini Ritz Freckles this holiday season:
🍪 Holiday Dessert Board:
Add them to a festive charcuterie-style dessert platter alongside chocolate-dipped pretzels, peppermint bark, and sugar cookies.
🎉 Party Snack Bowl:
Toss them into a big holiday bowl for grab-and-go snacking at gatherings or movie nights.
☕ Cocoa Bar Companion:
Set them beside your hot chocolate bar. Their salty crunch goes perfectly with a sweet mug of cocoa!
🎄 Christmas Eve Treat Tray:
Lay them out with milk for Santa — these are guaranteed to keep him coming back every year. 😉
Conclusion: Make This Holiday Extra Sweet
Whether you’re a seasoned holiday baker or someone who just wants to make something cute without the oven, Mini Ritz Freckles are the answer. They’re quick, simple, and oh-so satisfying. The combination of buttery crackers, sweet creamy frosting, and crunchy sprinkles is like a Christmas miracle in your mouth.
They’re perfect for parties, cookie swaps, cozy nights, or just sharing some cheer with friends and family. With just a few ingredients and some creative fun, you can turn ordinary crackers into magical holiday treats.
So go ahead — whip up a batch (or three). 🎄🥨✨
Similar recipes : Creamy Cranberry Pecan Christmas Tree Appetizers 🎄
FAQs
1. Can I make these in advance?
Yes! You can make them up to a week in advance. Just store them in an airtight container. If you’re making them for a party, make them the night before and chill overnight.
2. Can I use different frosting flavors?
Absolutely! Try peppermint, chocolate, or even lemon frosting for a fun twist. You can also mix in a drop of flavor extract into vanilla frosting for custom flavors.
3. Do they need to be refrigerated?
Not necessarily. They’ll hold up fine at room temp for a few days. But refrigerating them helps keep the frosting firm and the cookies crisp.
4. How long do they last?
Stored properly, they last 4–5 days at room temperature, up to a week in the fridge, and about a month in the freezer.
5. Are they gluten-free?
Ritz crackers aren’t gluten-free by default, but you can easily make a gluten-free version using gluten-free butter crackers and a gluten-free frosting!
