Name: Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup unsalted butter, room temperature; ¼ cup shortening; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs, room temperature; 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding mix, one box; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup Christmas sprinkles

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 68 reviews

If you’re dreaming of festive treats that instantly put you in the holiday mood, I’ve got just the thing. This Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe is my go-to for adding a pop of color and a burst of flavor to any holiday cookie platter. These cookies are soft, cakey, and studded with those merry sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. Honestly, once you try them, you’ll be hooked—my family absolutely goes crazy for these, and I can’t wait to share every little tip to help you nail them perfectly.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft and Cakey Texture: Thanks to the instant pudding mix, these cookies stay tender and moist—a game changer!
Festive Appearance: The Christmas sprinkles add joyful color, making these perfect for holiday parties or gifting.
Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe beginner-friendly but impressive.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap sprinkles or pudding flavors to keep things fresh and exciting season after season.

Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays a key role here—like how the pudding mix keeps the cookies irresistibly soft, and the shortening adds to that tender crumb. I always choose good-quality butter and vibrant sprinkles to get the best result.

Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe - Ingredients

Unsalted butter: Using room temperature butter helps it cream smoothly with sugar for the perfect cookie base.
Shortening: Adds tenderness and extends freshness; I never skip it in this recipe.
Granulated sugar: For just the right sweetness and that classic cookie crumb.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs incorporate better and help create that soft texture.
Vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors—don’t skimp here!
All-purpose flour: Acts as the sturdy foundation for structure.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: The secret ingredient for added moistness and flavor complexity.
Baking powder: Gives these cookies a subtle lift and helps them stay fluffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and rounds out flavor.
Christmas sprinkles: The festive finishing touch that coats each cookie in holiday cheer.

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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.

Variations

One of the things I love about the Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize—with just a few tweaks, you can make it your own special tradition.

Change the Pudding Flavor: I’ve experimented with chocolate or butterscotch pudding mixes, and it changes the vibe entirely—chocolate adds a rich depth, perfect for cozy nights.
Sprinkles Swap: Try different shaped or colored sprinkles to match other holidays or theme parties; my kids love unicorn sprinkles for birthdays!
Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour for those with dietary needs—we still got that soft texture.
Adding Mix-Ins: Toss in mini chocolate chips or nuts for extra texture; just don’t go too heavy or you might lose the cookie’s tender crumb.

How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Together the Butter, Shortening, and Sugar

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper—that step makes cleanup so much easier, trust me. Then, in a large bowl, cream the room temperature butter, shortening, and sugar together with a stand mixer or hand mixer. This should take about 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming step is crucial because it traps air that helps your cookies stay light without losing that soft texture I love.

Step 2: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Instant Pudding Mix

Beat in your eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and the instant vanilla pudding mix, continuing to blend until everything’s combined. The pudding mix is the “magic” ingredient here—it keeps the cookies soft, moist, and just a bit richer than your everyday cookie.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients and Combine

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of rising agents and seasoning so your cookies will rise evenly and taste balanced. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, folding it in a little at a time to avoid overmixing, which can make the cookies tough. When it’s just combined, stop mixing to keep that tender crumb.

Step 4: Roll the Dough in Sprinkles

Pour your Christmas sprinkles into a small, shallow bowl—that makes rolling so much easier. Using a cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll each into a ball with your hands. Then roll each dough ball in the sprinkles until fully coated, and arrange them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. This little ritual is honestly so fun, especially if you get the family involved—it’s festive and hands-on!

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until they’ve set and show a light golden edge. It’s tempting to overbake, but I’ve learned that catching them just as they turn golden keeps them chewy and soft inside. Let them cool right on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This short cooling helps them firm up slightly so they don’t break apart.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temp to help everything blend smoothly, leading to better texture.
Don’t Overmix: Stir flour in gradually and stop as soon as it’s incorporated to avoid tough cookies.
Use Parchment Paper: This prevents sticking and ensures even baking without burning the bottoms.
Watch Baking Time Closely: Every oven is different—start checking at 12 minutes to avoid overbaked and crumbly cookies.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I usually leave these cookies sprinkled as-is because they’re so festive and colorful already. But if I want to dress them up, I drizzle a little melted white chocolate over the top or dust with a pinch of powdered sugar for an extra holiday touch. It makes them feel a bit more special on a dessert tray.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with hot beverages—think spiced cider, peppermint hot chocolate, or a classic cup of coffee. At holiday parties, I love serving them alongside a cheese and fruit platter for a sweet contrast that guests rave about.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive touch, I arrange these cookies in a circle around a small bowl of warm chocolate ganache for dipping—kids and adults alike love this interactive twist. Another fun idea is stacking them with wax paper layers in a holiday tin, perfect for gifting or festive cookie exchanges.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once completely cooled, I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for up to 5 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house! A tip is to separate layers with parchment or wax paper to keep them from sticking together.

Freezing

I often freeze the baked cookies when I want to prep ahead. Just pop fully cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy—easy and hassle-free!

Reheating

If you want that “fresh-baked” vibe after freezing, warm cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave briefly for 10–15 seconds. This revives their softness and just-baked feel—my favorite trick for impressing guests with make-ahead cookies.

FAQs

Can I use any flavor of instant pudding mix for this recipe?

Absolutely! While the original recipe calls for vanilla, I’ve had great results with chocolate, butterscotch, or even lemon pudding mixes, each adding its own unique twist. Just keep in mind the flavors should complement the sprinkles and the overall sweetness you want.
What’s the best way to prevent sprinkles from bleeding color into the cookie dough?

Fresh and good-quality sprinkles usually don’t bleed much, especially when rolled on the outside as in this recipe. But to be safe, don’t mix them directly into the dough—rolling dough balls in sprinkles, as described, keeps the colors vibrant and festive.
Can I make the dough ahead for Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe?

Yes! I often prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months; just thaw in the fridge before baking. This makes holiday baking so much easier and less stressful.
Why do these cookies stay soft longer than traditional cookies?

The instant pudding mix adds extra moisture and a tender crumb, preventing these cookies from drying out quickly. The shortening also helps keep the texture soft over time, which is why I love this recipe for gifting and parties.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe has become a cherished holiday staple for me—and I’m excited to pass it on to you. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself making year after year because it’s not just delicious, it’s fun and festive too. I encourage you to try it with your loved ones, tweak it to your taste, and enjoy the smiles these colorful, soft cookies bring to the table. Happy baking, friend—I know you’ll love it as much as I do!