Name: The BEST Soft Funfetti Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ⅛ cups (300g) all-purpose flour; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon fine salt; 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; ⅔ cup (130g) granulated sugar; ¾ cup (85g) powdered sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; ½ cup sprinkles (or up to ⅔ cup)

These soft, chewy Funfetti cookies are bursting with colorful sprinkles and vanilla flavor. With their perfectly soft centers and slightly crisp edges, these cookies bring the joy of birthday cake in a handheld treat that’s perfect for any celebration or everyday indulgence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Funfetti cookies are guaranteed to become a family favorite for several reasons. First, they strike the perfect balance between soft and chewy with just a hint of crispness around the edges. The colorful sprinkles don’t just make them visually appealing; they add tiny pops of sweetness and a fun texture contrast. These cookies are incredibly simple to make with basic pantry ingredients, making them accessible even for beginner bakers. Whether you’re preparing them for a birthday celebration, bake sale, or just a sweet treat to brighten someone’s day, these festive cookies are sure to bring smiles all around.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour forms the foundation of these cookies, providing structure while maintaining a tender crumb. For the softest cookies, be careful not to overmeasure your flour – using a kitchen scale is the most accurate method.
Baking soda helps these cookies rise slightly and contributes to their soft texture by reacting with the acidic components in the dough.
Salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the flavors in the cookie. Even this small amount makes a significant difference in the final taste.
Unsalted butter brings richness and that distinctive buttery flavor that makes homemade cookies so irresistible. Make sure it’s properly softened to room temperature for the best incorporation with the sugars.
Granulated sugar adds sweetness while also helping create those slightly crisp edges that contrast beautifully with the soft centers.
Powdered sugar contributes to the uniquely soft texture of these cookies. Unlike cookies made with only granulated sugar, the powdered sugar helps create that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Egg binds all the ingredients together while adding moisture and richness. Be sure to use a large egg for the proper ratio of liquid to dry ingredients.
Vanilla extract provides that warm, aromatic flavor that’s essential in great cookies. Pure vanilla extract gives the best flavor, but imitation will work in a pinch.
Sprinkles are what transform these from ordinary sugar cookies into festive Funfetti treats. You can use jimmies (the long, thin sprinkles) or the smaller nonpareils, though jimmies tend to hold their color better during baking.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar on medium-low speed for 4 minutes until fluffy.
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract just until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Stir in the sprinkles. Do not overmix.
Shape the dough into balls about 1.5 tablespoons each (using an ice cream scoop makes this easy). Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to brown, but the center is still soft. Be careful not to overbake.
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 24 cookies. Preparation takes about 15 minutes, baking time is 12 minutes, for a total time of 27 minutes. Each cookie contains approximately 150 calories.

Variations

Chocolate Funfetti Cookies: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the flour mixture and reduce the flour by the same amount for a chocolate version.
Funfetti Cookie Bars: Press the dough into a 9×13 inch baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes for easy cookie bars.
Funfetti Sandwich Cookies: Make smaller cookies and sandwich vanilla frosting between two of them for an extra decadent treat.
Lemon Funfetti: Add 1 tablespoon of lemon zest and replace the vanilla extract with lemon extract for a citrusy twist.
Holiday Themed: Customize your sprinkle colors to match different holidays – red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or red and pink for Valentine’s Day.

Storage/Reheating

Room Temperature Storage: Keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain moisture.
Freezer Storage: These cookies freeze exceptionally well. Store completely cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers for up to 2 months.
Cookie Dough Storage: You can refrigerate the unbaked dough for up to 3 days in an airtight container or freeze the shaped dough balls for up to 3 months. Label with the date and baking instructions.
Reheating: To enjoy a warm cookie experience after storage, microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds or place in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes. For frozen cookies, allow them to thaw at room temperature or heat directly from frozen by adding a minute or two to the reheating time.
Reviving Stale Cookies: If your cookies have become slightly stale, place them in an airtight container with a slice of bread overnight, or microwave them for 10 seconds to refresh their texture.

FAQs

Why did my Funfetti cookies spread too much?

If your cookies spread too much, your butter may have been too warm or you might not have used enough flour. Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help prevent excessive spreading. Also, make sure your baking sheets are cool before placing new dough balls on them.

Can I use different types of sprinkles?

Yes, but with some considerations. Jimmies (rod-shaped sprinkles) work best as they maintain their color and shape during baking. Nonpareils (tiny round sprinkles) tend to bleed their color into the dough, and some specialty sprinkles might melt completely during baking.

How do I know when the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are done when the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown while the centers still look slightly underdone. They will continue to cook from residual heat after removing from the oven. Remember that overbaking will result in crunchier, less soft cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days or freeze shaped cookie dough balls for up to 3 months. If baking from refrigerated dough, you may need to add 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

My sprinkles are bleeding color into the dough. How can I prevent this?

To minimize color bleeding, fold in the sprinkles very gently and as the last step. You can also try freezing the sprinkles for 15 minutes before adding them to the dough, which can help reduce bleeding.

Can I make these cookies without a stand mixer?

Yes, you can use a hand mixer or even mix by hand with a wooden spoon. If mixing by hand, make sure your butter is very soft but not melted, and be prepared for a bit of an arm workout to properly cream the butter and sugars.

Are these cookies soft or crunchy?

These cookies are designed to be primarily soft with just slightly crisp edges. The key to maintaining their softness is not overbaking them. They should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out of the oven.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Look for blends that contain xanthan gum for the best texture results.

Why did my sprinkles fade during baking?

Some lower-quality sprinkles can fade during baking due to heat exposure. Using higher-quality sprinkles or specialty jimmies labeled “baking sprinkles” can help maintain vibrant colors. Alternatively, you can press additional sprinkles onto the tops of the cookies immediately after baking.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, this recipe doubles well. Just make sure to use a large enough bowl for mixing and maintain the same baking temperature and approximate baking time (though you may need to add 1-2 minutes).

Conclusion

These Soft Funfetti Cookies capture the magic of celebration in every bite. Their tender, buttery texture paired with colorful sprinkles makes them irresistible for both kids and adults alike. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility – make them for birthdays, holidays, or any day that needs a little extra joy. With just the right balance of sweetness and a foolproof method, even novice bakers can achieve perfect results. Whether you’re sharing them at a party or enjoying them with your afternoon coffee, these cookies are sure to become a recurring favorite in your baking repertoire.