These Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies are everything I crave in a holiday cookie: soft centers, lightly crisp edges, and sparkly bursts of color in every bite. The dough comes together in one bowl with simple pantry staples, so you can be nibbling on warm, festive cookies in under 30 minutes.
Whether you bake them for cookie swaps, Santa’s plate, or cozy movie nights, this recipe delivers bakery-style results with zero fuss.
Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies
Equipment
- 2 Baking Sheet
- 1 Parchment Paper for lining pans
- 1 hand mixer or stand mixer
- 2 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Cookie scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon
- 1 Wire rack
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temp
- 0.75 cup granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs room temp
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp almond extract optional; swap with 1/4 tsp peppermint extract or omit
- 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp fine sea salt
- 0.75 cup red and green jimmies sprinkles avoid nonpareils in the dough
Optional Mix-Ins
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 0.5 cup holiday M&M’s
Instructions
Preheat and Prep
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for best texture.
Cream Butter and Sugars
- In a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Beat in Eggs and Extracts
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each. Beat in vanilla and almond extract. Scrape the bowl.
Whisk Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry
- Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture on low speed until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix.
Fold in Sprinkles and Mix-Ins
- Fold in the jimmies and, if using, white chocolate chips or M&M’s. Distribute evenly without overworking the dough.
Scoop and Bake
- Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions (about 35 to 40 g) and space 2 inches apart on prepared trays. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly glossy.
Cool and Optional Finish
- Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. While warm, press a few extra chips or sprinkles on top for a bakery look. For extra sparkle, lightly dust with sanding sugar.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies
- Soft and chewy with perfectly crisp edges every time.
- One-bowl, no-chill dough for quick holiday baking.
- Colorful jimmies hold their shape without bleeding.
- Customizable mix-ins like white chocolate chips or M&M’s.
- Freezer-friendly for stress-free entertaining.
Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies Ingredients & Substitutions
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temp (226 g) – Use salted butter and reduce salt below to a pinch if needed.
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 g)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed (150 g)
- 2 large eggs, room temp – For egg-free, use 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp ground flax + 5 tbsp water, rest 10 minutes).
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract, optional – Swap with 1/4 tsp peppermint extract for a minty vibe or simply omit.
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (330 g) – A 1:1 gluten-free baking blend works well; avoid almond flour here.
- 2 tsp cornstarch – Helps tenderness and thickness; can omit if needed.
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 3/4 cup red and green jimmies sprinkles (about 120 g) – Jimmies resist bleeding; avoid nonpareils in the dough as they can streak color.
- Optional: 1 cup white chocolate chips (170 g) or 1/2 cup holiday M&M’s (85 g) for extra pops of sweet crunch.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies
Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Make sure butter and eggs are at room temperature for best texture.
Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Proper creaming traps air for lift.
Beat in Eggs and Extracts
Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until combined after each. Beat in vanilla and almond extract. Scrape the bowl so everything mixes evenly.
Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry
Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture on low speed until just combined and no dry streaks remain. Do not overmix or the cookies can turn tough.
Fold in Sprinkles and Mix-Ins
Fold in the jimmies and, if using, white chocolate chips or M&M’s. Distribute evenly without overworking the dough.
Scoop and Bake
Scoop 1 1/2 tablespoon portions (about 35 to 40 g) and space 2 inches apart on prepared trays. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, until edges are set and centers still look slightly glossy. They will finish setting on the pan.
Cool and Optional Finish
Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack. While warm, you can press a few extra chips or sprinkles on top for a bakery look. For extra sparkle, lightly dust with sanding sugar.
Tips for Success
- Measure flour accurately. Spoon and level or use a scale. Too much flour makes dry, puffy cookies.
- Do not overbake. Pull them when the centers look just a bit soft for the perfect chew.
- Use jimmies, not nonpareils, in the dough to avoid color bleeding.
- Warm kitchen? Chill scooped dough 15 minutes to reduce spreading.
- Rotate pans halfway for even baking if your oven has hot spots.
Variations of Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies
- Peppermint White Chocolate: Use 1/4 tsp peppermint extract and white chips. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes after baking.
- Chocolate Confetti: Replace 1/4 cup flour with 1/4 cup cocoa powder and use red and green jimmies plus chocolate chips.
- Brown Butter Bliss: Brown the butter, chill until just firm, then proceed for nutty, toffee-rich flavor.
- Gluten-Free: Use a quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and check that sprinkles and chips are certified GF.
- Sparkle Sugar Tops: Roll dough balls lightly in coarse sanding sugar before baking for a frosted look.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies
- Hot cocoa with whipped cream or peppermint marshmallows.
- A cold glass of milk or oat milk for classic dunking.
- Holiday coffee or chai for a cozy afternoon treat.
- Vanilla ice cream for cheerful cookie ice cream sandwiches.
- Add to a festive cookie board with truffles, fudge, and fruit.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Room Temp: Store cooled cookies in an airtight tin up to 5 to 7 days. Add a slice of bread to keep them soft; replace as it dries.
- Freeze Baked Cookies: Freeze in layers with parchment up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp. Refresh at 300°F for 3 to 4 minutes if you like them warm.
- Freeze Dough: Scoop onto a tray, freeze until firm, then bag up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 350°F, adding 1 to 2 minutes.
Memories Made Around the Table
Every December, my little helpers take turns shaking the sprinkle jar like jingle bells. We laugh when a few extras tumble in, because more confetti always means more joy.
FAQs
Which sprinkles work best? Use classic jimmies. They keep their color and texture in the oven. Save nonpareils for decorating the warm tops.
Why did my cookies spread too much? Butter may have been too warm or flour under-measured. Chill the scooped dough 15 minutes and be sure to measure flour correctly. Also verify your oven hits 350°F.
Can I make the dough ahead? Yes. Refrigerate covered up to 48 hours. Let it sit at room temp 15 to 20 minutes before scooping if it is very firm.
Can I use salted butter? Absolutely. Reduce added salt to a pinch and proceed.
How do I get thicker cookies? Add 1 to 2 tablespoons flour to the dough or chill the scooped balls briefly before baking.
Final Thoughts
These Joyful Easy Christmas Confetti Cookies are a bright, reliable crowd-pleaser that feel as festive as fairy lights. Keep a batch of dough ready to bake and you will have holiday cheer in minutes.