These cookies bring a celebration feel to an everyday batch of baking. Made entirely from pantry staples, they’re soft, fluffy, and loaded with colorful sprinkles both inside the dough and on top. They’re simple enough for a weeknight treat but festive enough for a birthday or party.
Quick facts
- Prep time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes chilling)
- Cook time: 11 minutes
- Resting time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour 31 minutes
- Makes: 16 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all purpose flour (180g)
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113g)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150g)
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sprinkles (jimmies)
How to Make Funfetti Cookies
Part 1: Make the Dough
1. Mix the dry ingredients. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cornstarch, and baking soda. Set this aside.
2. Cream the butter and sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy.
3. Add the egg and vanilla. Mix these in, then scrape down the bowl and mix once more until everything is well combined.
4. Add the dry ingredients. Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed until almost combined.
5. Fold in the sprinkles. Scrape down the bowl, then add the sprinkles and mix on low just until combined.
Part 2: Shape and Chill
6. Finish the dough. Use a spatula to fold in any remaining loose flour at the bottom of the bowl.
7. Portion and shape. Scoop the dough into two-tablespoon portions (about 40g each), roll into balls, and top each one with a few extra sprinkles.
8. Arrange and chill. Place the dough balls about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with silicone mats or parchment paper. Chill for at least an hour.
Part 3: Bake
9. Preheat. Toward the end of the chilling time, heat the oven to 350°F.
10. Bake. Bake for about 11 minutes, until the edges are set and the cookies look puffed.
11. Cool. The cookies will continue cooking slightly after they come out of the oven, so let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before moving them.
Tips for the Best Funfetti Cookies
Add the sprinkles at the end. Mixing them in too early, or over-mixing once they’re added, can cause the colors to bleed into the dough.
Don’t skip the chilling step. This is what keeps the cookies from spreading too thin in the oven and helps them bake up round and fluffy.
Use room temperature butter and egg. This helps everything mix together evenly and bake consistently.
Don’t leave out the cornstarch. Even though it’s a small amount, it plays a real role in keeping the cookies soft.
Line your pans well. Parchment paper or a silicone mat keeps the cookies from sticking.
Trust the soft centers. The cookies will look a little underdone in the middle when you pull them out, but they firm up as they cool. Baking until the centers look fully set will leave you with cookies that turn crunchy once cooled.
Shape the dough before chilling. The dough becomes harder to work with after it’s been in the fridge, so roll it into balls first.
Chill overnight if needed. This recipe works well as a make-ahead option if you want to prep the dough a day in advance.
Final Thoughts
These funfetti cookies are an easy way to bring a little extra color and fun to a classic soft cookie. The method is simple, the ingredients are things you likely already have, and the result looks and tastes like a celebration. Bake a batch and let me know how they turn out.