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· 4.8 from 4 reviews

Hey friend, if you love a festive treat that’s easy to whip up and downright irresistible, you’re going to fall head over heels for this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe. Seriously, no rolling, no fuss, just soft, tender cookies bursting with holiday sprinkles. I first made these last year on a whim, and they quickly became my go-to for cookie swaps and last-minute gift trays — everyone raves about them! Stick around, and I’ll show you exactly how to get them perfect every single time.

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Why This Recipe Works

No-Roll Simplicity: You save time and mess by skipping the rolling and cutting—just scoop and chill.
Perfect Texture: The mix of cornstarch with baking soda gives cookies a tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Nostalgic Sprinkle Delight: The colorful jimmies add fun, holiday cheer, and that slight crunch you’ll love.
Chilling Makes a Difference: Refrigerating dough prevents spreading, so your cookies stay thick and pretty.

No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, Easy Holiday Cookies, No-Bake Festive Cookies, Christmas Cookie Ideas - 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

Every ingredient in this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe plays a part in creating textures and flavors that just sing holiday vibes. I always emphasize quality butter and a good sprinkle mix to make that pop of festive color and sweetness.

No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, Christmas Sprinkle Cookies, Easy Holiday Cookies, No-Bake Festive Cookies, Christmas Cookie Ideas - 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, it blends smoothly into the batter for rich flavor and tender crumb.
Granulated Sugar: Gives the cookies crisp edges and balances sweetness.
Light Brown Sugar: Adds moistness and a subtle caramel depth.
Large Egg: Binds everything and adds richness.
Cream or Half-and-Half: Keeps the dough soft and moist—don’t skip this!
Vanilla Extract (I use clear imitation): I love clear imitation vanilla here—it lends a bakery-style nostalgia you don’t get with real vanilla.
All-Purpose Flour: The base for your cookie structure.
Cornstarch: The secret to that tender, melt-away texture.
Baking Soda: A leavening agent that ensures perfect rise and chew.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors.
Red, Green, and White Jimmies (Sprinkles): The stars of the show—adding color, texture, and festive fun.

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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

One thing I adore about this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Whether you want to swap sprinkles for a different holiday color palette or sneak in a little extra flavor, the dough is forgiving and incredibly adaptable.

Variation: I like adding a teaspoon of almond extract for a subtle nutty twist—my friends always ask what’s different!
Dietary Modification: Try swapping half the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend if you need a gluten-free version.
Seasonal Flair: Swap sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or chopped peppermint candies around Christmas for a fun twist.

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

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars to Fluffy Perfection

Start by beating your softened butter with granulated and brown sugars on medium-high speed for about 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t rush here—this step adds air and ensures your cookies rise just right. You want a light, fluffy mixture that’s fully combined with no streaks. I always scrape down the bowl sides a couple of times so nothing is left behind.

Step 2: Add the Egg, Vanilla, and Cream

Mix in the egg and your vanilla extract until smooth—clear imitation vanilla is my secret weapon in this recipe for that nostalgic bakery flavor! Then add the cream, keeping the mixer on medium-high speed. The batter might look a little grainy or like it’s just barely coming together after this, but trust me, that’s exactly what you want.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

Next, add your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt into the bowl. Switch your mixer to low speed and blend just until everything comes together. Overmixing at this stage will toughen your cookies, so keep it gentle and quick.

Step 4: Fold in the Sprinkles

Finally, add the festive jimmies and beat on low speed just until they’re evenly distributed. This is where those bright red, green, and white colors come alive.

Step 5: Chill Before Baking (The Key to Thick Cookies)

This step is a game changer—use a 2-tablespoon scoop or your hands to form about 17 dough mounds. Place them on a tray, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or up to 5 days. Chilling firms up the dough and keeps the cookies from spreading too thin. Trust me, unchilled dough led me to sad, flat cookies once, and I never repeat that mistake.

Step 6: Bake and Watch the Magic Happen

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with a Silpat or nonstick spray. Flatten each dough mound to about half its original height, top generously with sprinkles, then bake for 8 minutes or until the edges are just set and tops slightly glossy. The centers may look a little underdone but they’ll firm up as they cool, promising that soft, chewy texture we’re after.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

I always let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before touching them; it helps them set perfectly and ensures you don’t break that delicate crumb. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to have an extra cup of cocoa while you wait.

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Pro Tips for Making No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Stick to the Chill Time: Don’t skip chilling the dough! It’s what keeps your cookies thick and prevents a spread-out mess.
Use a Cookie Scoop: Using a 2-tablespoon scoop helps you get uniform cookies that bake evenly every time.
Clear Imitation Vanilla as a Secret Ingredient: In my experience, it adds a bakery-style nostalgia that real vanilla sometimes can’t match in this recipe.
Watch Don’t Overbake: Take cookies out when centers still look a touch glossy—they firm up nicely as they cool.

How to Serve No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

For garnishes, I love adding an extra pinch of sprinkles right after flattening the dough balls. If you want to get fancy, a dusting of powdered sugar or even a drizzle of white chocolate over cooled cookies adds a lovely touch (and an extra flavor wow-factor without overpowering the sprinkle fun).

Side Dishes

These cookies shine alongside a mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows or a cup of spiced chai tea—perfect for cozy winter afternoons. They also make great friends with a cheese board if you’re feeling adventurous; the hint of sweet in the cookie pairs surprisingly well with buttery aged cheddar.

Creative Ways to Present

During the holidays, I package these cookies in small cello bags tied with festive ribbon for quick gifts. For parties, arranging them stacked on a bright platter with mini candy canes and pine sprigs makes a cheerful centerpiece everyone loves to nibble on.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll stay fresh and soft for up to a week. I recommend layering them between sheets of parchment paper if you’re stacking, so those sprinkles don’t stick together.

Freezing

If you want to prep dough in advance, freezing works like a charm. I scoop and flatten my dough balls onto a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 4 months. When ready, pop them in the fridge to thaw overnight before baking — just add a minute or two to the bake time.

Reheating

Reheat leftover cookies briefly in a warm oven (about 300°F for 5 minutes) or microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive that soft, fresh-baked feel. Be careful not to overdo it, or they’ll dry out.

FAQs

Can I use regular vanilla instead of clear imitation vanilla in this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While I personally love the nostalgic bakery flavor that clear imitation vanilla brings to this recipe, regular vanilla extract will work just fine and add its own lovely warmth. Just keep in mind the color of the dough might be slightly creamier, but flavor-wise, both create delicious results.
Why do I need to chill the dough before baking these cookies?

Chilling the dough helps the butter solidify again, which controls how much the cookies spread during baking. Without chilling, you’ll end up with thinner, flatter cookies that can lose their soft, tender texture. Plus, chilled dough is easier to handle and shape.
Can I substitute sprinkles with other add-ins?

Yes! Sprinkles bring that festive look and a tiny crunch, but feel free to mix in mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even crushed candy canes to give these cookies your own spin. Just keep the amount roughly the same so it doesn’t affect dough consistency.
How do I know when these cookies are done baking?

Watch for edges that look set and lightly golden with tops still a bit glossy or slightly undercooked—this means they’re perfectly soft. They firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake or you’ll lose that tender texture.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend this No-Roll Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Recipe enough if you want a fuss-free, crowd-pleasing holiday cookie that looks adorable and tastes like it came from your favorite bakery. It’s become a staple at my house, and I promise it’ll be at yours too once you see how simple and fun baking these are. Go ahead, scoop up some dough, sprinkle some joy on top, and get ready for all the happy faces at your cookie exchange!