Colorful Sprinkle Cookies
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Soft and chewy sprinkle cookies start with snickerdoodle dough coated in nonpareils or jimmies. These have been my go-to cookie for parties, work potlucks, and bake sales for years. They’re eye-catching and easy to make.
The recipe was inspired by the rainbow polvorones at our local Mexican bakery, just softer and chewier. The snickerdoodle-style dough gives these cookies their signature chew, and the cream of tartar adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the nonpareils.
Chewy Sprinkle Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup salted butter softened
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 3/4 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 5 – 10 ounces nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F.
- Prepare a cookie sheet by covering with parchment paper or non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar, until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stopping to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl between eggs.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, and baking soda.
- Add this mixture to the butter mixture and blend just until combined. Over mixing makes cookies tough.
- Place nonpareils in a bowl.
- Form cookies into balls and slightly flatten balls into small disks.
- Roll dough disks in nonpareils and lightly press both sides into nonpareils.
- Place on baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
- Bake cookies at 400 Degrees F for 8 to 12 minutes or until cookies have spread are puffed slightly and do not look wet. You should be able to see some of the cookie dough between nonpareils.
- Remove from oven.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the baking sheet and place onto a cooling rack.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before stacking or placing into containers. Any heat left may cause steam and the colors from the nonpareils will stain the other cookies.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may vary based on exact ingredients used. For accuracy, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
Pro Tips
Flatten dough balls into disks before coating. Press both flat sides into sprinkles, then roll the edges to coat the sides completely. Press lightly one more time to cover any bare spots.
Don’t overmix the dough after adding flour. Mix just until incorporated or cookies will be tough.
Give cookies 2 to 3 inches of space between them on the baking sheet. They spread as they bake.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with baking spray for easy removal.
Cool cookies completely before stacking or storing. The nonpareil colors can bleed onto other cookies if they’re still warm.
Make a double batch of dough and roll half in cinnamon sugar for snickerdoodles at the same time.
Jimmies and nonpareils both work for this recipe. Jimmies are the rod shaped sprinkles, while nonpareils are the tiny round balls. Both stick well to the dough.
Storing
Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment or wax paper between layers. Keep at room temperature up to five days.
The sprinkles stay bright and the cookies stay soft if the container is sealed well.
Freeze for up to two months with parchment or wax paper between layers. When ready to serve, remove cookies from the freezer container and let thaw completely at room temperature. Make sure there’s no condensation on the cookies before serving or the colors will bleed.
Nonpareils come in endless color combinations, making these cookies work for any season. Use red, green, and white for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or match your favorite team colors for game day.
More Colorful Desserts
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This recipe was written and tested by a human.
Editor: Oliver Baysinger
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller
Elizabeth (Beth) Mueller is a food journalist, CEO of Pear Tree Kitchen, and co-creator of Food Blogger Help. She also has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a registered nurse licensed in the State of Oklahoma. When she has free time between writing, blogging, and cooking, she can be found volunteering as an RN with the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps.
