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

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If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that just shouts holiday cheer, I can’t recommend this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe enough. The magic here isn’t just in the classic buttery, soft texture, but the surprise of instant vanilla pudding mixed right into the dough – it makes these cookies wonderfully moist and tender every single time. Plus, those festive sprinkles scattered throughout? They add that colorful, joyful crunch that makes every bite feel like a party.

Whether you’re baking up a storm for a family gathering or looking for a sweet project to share with the kids, this recipe really shines. I love how it’s simple enough for a weekday treat but special enough to bring out for Christmas cookie exchanges or last-minute hostess gifts. You’ll find yourself reaching for this one year after year—it’s that good!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe come together to create a cookie that’s soft, flavorful, and loaded with festive flair. You might already have most of these in your pantry, and the pudding mix? It’s the real secret weapon that elevates the texture.

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the salt level and adds rich, creamy flavor.
Shortening: This keeps the cookies tender and helps them hold their shape better during baking.
Granulated sugar: Provides the sweetness and helps with that slight crisp edge I adore.
Eggs: Bring moisture and help bind everything together, so the cookies don’t fall apart.
Vanilla extract: A splash amps up the flavor and pairs perfectly with the vanilla pudding.
All-purpose flour: Your base for structure; make sure to measure properly to avoid dry cookies.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: This is the heart of the recipe — it adds that pillowy softness and extra vanilla-y goodness.
Baking powder: Gives just enough lift without making the cookies cakey.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
Christmas sprinkles: These bring the festive colors and a fun crunch — pick your favorites for the best effect!

Variations

One of the joys of this recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve played around with different sprinkles, puddings, and even add-ins. Feel free to make it your own and find your perfect holiday combination.

Chocolate pudding mix instead of vanilla: I tried this once and it made the cookies a little richer — a nice twist if you love chocolate.
Using almond or coconut extract: Adding a teaspoon of one of these extracts adds a unique flavor depth that your guests might ask about.
Adding chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips: For extra texture and flavor contrast, I sometimes mix in a handful of chopped pecans or chocolate chips, which is a total winner.
Gluten-free flour blend: I’ve substituted this successfully for family members who avoid gluten; the cookies still turn out tender and yummy.
Dairy-free butter substitute: Works well if you need a vegan option—just keep an eye on baking times.

How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter, Shortening, and Sugar

Start with room temperature unsalted butter and shortening — this makes creaming easier and smoother. Beat them together with the sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy, usually about 3-5 minutes with a hand mixer. This step is important because it traps air, helping your cookies be light with just the right amount of rise.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so they’re fully incorporated. This helps with even texture. Then, pour in the vanilla extract and give a quick mix — the smell at this point always makes me smile.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, and salt. Mixing these well ensures even distribution, so your cookies bake evenly with no surprises of clumps or uneven rising.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. I usually do this in two or three additions to avoid overmixing. Use a spatula or paddle attachment on low speed and mix just until combined. Overmixing can make the cookies tough, which we definitely want to avoid here.

Step 5: Fold in Christmas Sprinkles

Now the fun part — sprinkle time! Gently fold in about one cup of your favorite Christmas sprinkles. I recommend folding rather than stirring aggressively, so those pretty colors stay intact and don’t bleed into the dough.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Spoon the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set and the tops look slightly cracked. Don’t overbake — these cookies should stay soft and tender!

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

The image shows several white bowls and three brown eggs on a white marbled surface. One bowl is filled with a mound of white flour. Another bowl has colorful small round sprinkles in green, red, white, and pink. One bowl contains white granulated sugar, and another has a dark brown liquid, likely vanilla extract. There are two small bowls with butter—one with two stacked square pieces, pale yellow in color, and the other with a pat of cream cheese or a similar soft white block sitting on a spread of the same. Three whole eggs are arranged near the center-right of the composition. The overall setup is clean and organized, with a top-down view. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and let the sprinkles be the star garnish, but you can get creative! A light dusting of powdered sugar adds a snowy finish perfect for Christmas. Or, dip half the cookies in melted white chocolate and sprinkle extra colored sugars on top — it’s always a hit with guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with hot cocoa, coffee, or spiced tea. At holiday parties, I love serving them alongside a cheese board with festive nuts and dried fruit, balancing sweet and savory for a delightful spread.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the cookies in a Christmas tree shape on a large platter — it was such a crowd-pleaser! Wrapping small stacks in clear cellophane tied with a holiday ribbon also makes for charming gifts or party favors your friends will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. They stay fresh and soft for about 4-5 days, perfect for nibbling through the week after Christmas.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead, I recommend freezing the dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to bake, pop them right into the oven (adding a couple of minutes to the bake time). This has saved me more than once during holiday chaos!

Reheating

To revive leftover cookies, I warm them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or briefly in a 300°F oven. This brings back that fresh-baked softness and melts the sprinkles just a bit, reminiscent of straight-from-the-oven freshness.

FAQs

Can I use pudding mix other than vanilla in this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While vanilla pudding mix is classic and enhances the cookie’s flavor nicely, you can experiment with chocolate or butterscotch pudding mixes for a tasty twist. Just keep in mind that different flavors may alter the sweetness and color of the cookies slightly.
Why does this recipe call for both butter and shortening?

Using both butter and shortening balances flavor and texture. Butter adds rich flavor, but shortening helps keep the cookies tender and prevents spreading too much during baking. Together they create the perfect cookie consistency.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color during baking?

To minimize color bleeding, fold the sprinkles gently into the dough near the end. Also, use high-quality sprinkles designed for baking, as some lower-quality varieties tend to melt more and bleed their colors.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free or gluten-free?

Yes! For dairy-free, substitute butter and pudding mix with dairy-free alternatives. For gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just keep an eye on texture, as these swaps slightly alter the outcome.
What’s the best way to store these cookies to keep them soft?

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread inside. The bread helps maintain moisture, keeping the cookies soft for days.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe becomes one of your holiday go-tos like it is for me. There’s something so comforting about that soft, vanilla-infused dough studded with colorful sprinkles—it brings a little festive joy with every bite. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making these for years and loving how easy and reliable the recipe is, even on the busiest holiday baking days.