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 vanilla 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· 4.7 from 68 reviews

If you’re like me and want to skip the mess and fuss during the holidays but still crave colorful, festive treats, you’re going to love this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe. These cookies are super simple, packed with nostalgia, and the perfect way to add that cheerful sprinkle sparkle to your cookie platter without getting out the rolling pin. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll become your go-to holiday cookie — soft, sweet, and just the right pop of sprinkles every bite!

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Why This Recipe Works

No-rolling required: Saves time and prevents mess—perfect when your kitchen is already crowded with holiday chaos.
Chilled dough for perfect shape: Refrigerating the dough ensures these cookies bake up thick and soft instead of thin and spread-out.
Clear imitation vanilla extract: It gives these cookies a nostalgic bakery quality that’ll remind you of childhood treats.
Loaded with sprinkles: Because what’s the holiday season without a little color and crunch?

No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, festive holiday cookies, easy Christmas cookie recipe, no-bake holiday treats, colorful sprinkles 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

Choosing the right ingredients is the secret to making these No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe irresistible. Each component plays its part in creating that soft texture, sweet flavor, and festive appearance.

No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, festive holiday cookies, easy Christmas cookie recipe, no-bake holiday treats, colorful sprinkles 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: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level exactly and creates a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookie base.
Granulated and light brown sugar: The combo balances sweetness with a moist chewiness from the brown sugar’s molasses.
Egg: Acts as a binder and adds richness to the dough.
Cream or half-and-half: Adds moisture and tender crumb without making the dough soggy.
Clear imitation vanilla extract: This nostalgic choice provides that bakery taste we all love, without altering the dough color.
All-purpose flour: The structure-builder for soft but firm cookies.
Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies tender by softening the gluten in the flour.
Baking soda: Gives a slight lift, keeping cookies from being flat and dense.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances sweetness perfectly.
Festive jimmies (sprinkles): Adds color, crunch, and that unmistakable holiday vibe right in every bite.

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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 love how flexible this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is. Over the years, I’ve played around with add-ins and flavors, so don’t be shy about making it your own. Sometimes I swap the sprinkles for mini chocolate chips when I’m craving something more classic, or add a pinch of cinnamon for extra holiday warmth.

Sprinkle swaps: Try different colored sprinkles or holiday shapes for various occasions — I used pastel ones last Easter and it was so cheerful!
Dietary tweaks: You can substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative and the half-and-half with oat milk to keep these cookies vegan-friendly.
Flavor boost: Adding citrus zest, like orange or lemon, is a game-changer if you want a zesty twist.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars to Perfection

Start by beating the softened butter with both granulated and brown sugars. I use my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for this; it takes about 3 to 4 minutes on medium-high speed to get that light, fluffy texture. Don’t rush this step — properly creamed butter and sugar give your cookies the perfect tender crumb.

Step 2: Add Egg, Vanilla, and Cream

Next, scrape down the bowl, then add the egg and your clear imitation vanilla extract — this little trick adds that nostalgic bakery flavor that I swear makes these cookies stand out. Beat again until combined, then add the cream and blend at medium-high speed for about a minute. You might notice the batter looks a little grainy or separated here — that’s totally fine, it will come together when you add the dry ingredients.

Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients Gently

Add your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt, then switch your mixer to low to combine everything. Overmixing here can lead to tough cookies, so just mix until you can no longer see flour. Finish by adding the festive jimmies and folding them in gently. The dough will be soft and colorful — I like to use a cookie scoop to portion it out.

Step 4: Chill the Dough — Don’t Skip This!

This is where the magic happens. Form about 17 mounds of dough with your cookie scoop or hands, place them on a tray, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 5 days. Trust me, baking with unchilled dough leads to sad, flat cookies that spread too much. Chilling keeps the cookies thick and soft — it’s a game changer for this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe.

Step 5: Bake and Garnish

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat. Flatten each chilled dough mound gently to half its height, place on the baking sheet with plenty of space, and top each with a generous pinch of sprinkles. Bake for about 8 minutes until edges are set and tops look just set but still slightly glossy. Avoid the temptation to overbake — these cookies keep their soft center as they cool.

Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. I personally skip the wire rack here because the cookies need to cool slowly to keep their softness and those sprinkles stay perfectly intact.

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Pro Tips for Making No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Use softened butter: If your butter is too cold, the sugars won’t cream properly, resulting in dense cookies.
Don’t skip chilling: This step is crucial — it controls spreading and keeps cookies thick and soft.
Clear vanilla enhances appearance: Using imitation vanilla keeps your cookies a lovely light color, letting those festive sprinkles truly shine.
Bake just until edges set: Underbaking slightly preserves that soft, chewy center that’s oh-so-delicious.

How to Serve No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love adding extra sprinkles on top just before baking — it gives the cookies that whimsical, snowy look that’s really festive. Sometimes I brush the cookies lightly with a simple glaze and sprinkle a few edible glitter flakes for holiday parties; it’s subtle but elevates the presentation beautifully.

Side Dishes

Pair these fun cookies with a hot cup of cocoa, spiced apple cider, or even a classic eggnog for an authentic Christmas snack spread. They also go great alongside plates of other holiday cookies, fresh fruit, or cheese boards for a festive gathering.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I like to stack these cookies in a clear box with some festive tissue paper, tied with a ribbon. For parties, arranging them on a tiered stand with strings of fairy lights around makes for a charming display. You could even cut a large cookie sheet into fun shapes or press sprinkles into buttercream-topped cookies for a more elaborate festive treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay soft and flavorful for up to a week. If you live in a humid climate, storing in a slightly cooler spot of the kitchen helps maintain texture.

Freezing

I often freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. This way, I can bake fresh cookies right from frozen whenever I want — just add a couple of minutes to the baking time. The flavor and texture come out beautifully every time.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, a quick 10-second zap in the microwave or 3 minutes in a preheated 300°F oven does wonders. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll dry out. Enjoy them fresh and gooey for that homemade feel.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla instead of clear imitation vanilla?

Absolutely! Regular vanilla extract will work just fine, but it may slightly darken the dough. I use clear imitation vanilla because it maintains the soft, pale color of the cookies and gives a nostalgic bakery flavor, but either option tastes delicious.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling solidifies the butter and hydrates the flour, which helps control spreading during baking. Without chilling, your cookies might bake flat and thin rather than thick and soft — and that’s a big part of what makes this recipe special.
Can I use other types of sprinkles?

Yes! I recommend jimmies (the longer, thin sprinkles) because they hold up well in the dough and give a nice texture, but if you prefer nonpareils or larger shapes, just keep in mind they might affect texture and baking slightly.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?

Besides chilling your dough well, avoid using melted butter or overmixing the dough once the flour is added. Also, baking on parchment or a silicone mat rather than greased baking sheets helps cookies keep their shape.
Is this cookie recipe kid-friendly to make?

Definitely! Kids will love scooping the dough and sprinkling on the colorful jimmies. Just be sure to handle the chilling and baking steps yourself, but this recipe is a great holiday activity to do together.

Final Thoughts

This No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe has become a holiday favorite for me — it’s easy to make, festive, and just plain fun. I love how it fits right into a busy season without complicated prep, and how the sprinkles add that extra smile around the cookie plate. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll be reaching for this recipe every holiday season — your friends and family will thank you for the cookies, and you’ll thank yourself for keeping things simple yet special!