Nothing quite says festive like the joyful burst of sprinkles and that unmistakable sweet aroma wafting from the oven. This Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe delivers all the fun of holiday cake in a perfectly soft cookie you can enjoy any time of year. Trust me, these cookies have quickly become a staple in my kitchen during the holiday season!

The image shows several round cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: the bottom layer is a light beige cookie with small red and green bits mixed inside, and the top layer is a thick swirl of creamy white frosting. The frosting is topped with red and green sprinkles scattered over the surface. The cookies are arranged closely together, with one cookie in clear focus in the center. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made countless cookies over the years, but something about this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe feels extra special. Maybe it’s the nostalgic cake batter flavor combined with festive sprinkles or the way the frosting melts just right atop each soft cookie. Either way, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you'll want to bake again and again.

Deliciously Soft Texture: These cookies stay soft and chewy, just like a tender slice of cake.
Fun Festive Flavor: The cake batter extract gives each bite that classic birthday cake vibe, perfect for Christmas or any celebration.
Easy to Customize: You can swap sprinkles, adjust frosting thickness, or even add mix-ins to make it your own.
Show-Stopping Frosting: The creamy cake batter frosting on top brings these cookies from delicious to downright irresistible.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe has its role in creating that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and holiday cheer. I always recommend using the freshest butter you can find and picking colorful holiday sprinkles for that extra pop.

Flat lay of a small pile of fine all-purpose flour, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, two thick slabs of soft unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated white sugar, another small white bowl holding packed light brown sugar, a tiny white bowl containing fine white baking powder, a small white bowl with fine salt, a small white bowl with colorful holiday sprinkles, a small white bowl of smooth heavy cream, and a small white bowl of clear cake batter extract liquid, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Baking powder: This helps the cookies rise just enough to be tender, not cakey.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
All-purpose flour: Provides the right structure for soft but stable cookies.
Unsalted butter: Using softened butter ensures a creamy dough and rich flavor without extra salt.
Granulated sugar & light brown sugar: The combo gives sweetness and a subtle molasses depth for moisture.
Eggs: Adds richness and helps bind everything together.
Cake batter extract: The star of the show! This is that magical flavor that makes you think 'birthday party.'
Holiday sprinkles: Adds festive colors and a fun crunch.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Creates that silky smooth frosting texture.
Heavy cream: Adjust the frosting's consistency for spreading or piping.

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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.

Make It Your Way

I love making this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe my own by playing around with different sprinkles or swapping out the cake batter extract for vanilla for a classic twist. Don’t be shy—these cookies invite your creativity!

Variation: Once, I added mini chocolate chips along with the sprinkles, and the mix of chocolate with cake batter flavor was heavenly—give it a try!
Diet-Friendly: For a dairy-free tweak, swap the butter and cream with plant-based alternatives; just expect a slight texture shift.
Seasonal Twist: Around other holidays, use themed sprinkles or flavored extracts like peppermint or almond to suit the vibe.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

A top view of a metal mixing bowl filled with thick cookie dough that has red and green sprinkles mixed inside, placed on a white marbled texture surface. The dough is creamy off-white, with a slightly rough texture dotted with colorful sprinkles throughout. The inside of the bowl has some dough stuck on the sides, showing the mixing process. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking the baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour together in a medium bowl. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed so your cookies bake up just right without uneven spots.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Pop softened butter into your stand mixer bowl along with granulated and light brown sugars. Mix on low speed first, then increase to medium until the mixture is nice and fluffy—this can take about 3-5 minutes. This step is key to the cookie’s tender texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Cake Batter Extract

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the cake batter extract. This flavor is what makes these cookies taste so irresistibly festive, so don’t skimp on this part!

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly add the flour mixture into your wet ingredients. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together – overmixing can make cookies tough, so be gentle and stop as soon as you see smooth dough.

Step 5: Sprinkle and Scoop

Fold in your holiday sprinkles gently. Then, scoop 2 to 3 tablespoon balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Space them well since these cookies flatten out. I like to press them gently with a glass bottom so they bake evenly.

Step 6: Bake, Cool, and Frost

Bake at 350°F for 13-16 minutes if scooping 2-tablespoon balls, or closer to 18-20 minutes for 3-tablespoon sizes. The edges should be light golden and tops no longer glossy. Let cool fully—patience here means better frosting application!

For the frosting, beat softened butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar slowly until crumbly. Add salt and more cake batter extract, then stir in heavy cream until you have a fluffy, spreadable consistency. Use a pastry bag if you want that bakery-style spiral—so fun and impressive!

Top Tip

From many batches, I’ve learned a few things that really elevate these Christmas Cake Batter Cookies.

Don’t Skip the Cake Batter Extract: This makes all the difference — it transforms plain sugar cookie dough into that celebratory, nostalgic flavor.
Softened Butter is Essential: Using butter that’s too cold makes mixing difficult, too melted makes dough greasy. Aim for room temperature—soft enough to press a finger in but still holding shape.
Don’t Overbake: The cookies will still feel soft in the center when you take them out, but they firm up as they cool—pull them out just as edges turn light golden.
Frost When Completely Cool: Frosting warm cookies leads to melty tops. I always wait for them to reach room temperature—it’s worth it for a neat look and perfect texture.

How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Cake Batter Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with extra sprinkles right after frosting—while it’s still soft—so they stick well and add that extra sparkle. Sometimes I add edible glitter or tiny candy pearls for an extra festive touch that really wows guests.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of cocoa or a peppermint latte. If you’re serving at a holiday party, I like placing them alongside other classic treats like gingerbread or peppermint bark for a colorful dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve arranged these on tiered cake stands or packaged them in clear cello bags tied with festive ribbons for thoughtful baked gifts. Using themed cookie cutters instead of round shapes is also a fun twist to match holiday motifs.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I find layering them with parchment paper in between helps keep the frosting from sticking together and maintains freshness.

Freezing

I like freezing unfrosted cookie dough balls on a sheet pan, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, just thaw and bake fresh. You can also freeze fully frosted cookies in a single layer, then stack with wax paper once frozen solid.

Reheating

To revive chilled cookies, I pop them in the microwave for 8-10 seconds to warm slightly before serving. This softens the frosting and brings back that fresh-baked feeling without melting the buttercream too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What if I don’t have cake batter extract?

You can substitute vanilla extract as a simple alternative, but the unique cake batter flavor will be less intense. For the best results, try to find cake batter extract online or in specialty stores.

Can I use gluten-free flour in this recipe?

Yes! Use a gluten-free flour blend that's meant for baking, and be sure to check if any other ingredients (like your sprinkles) are gluten-free. Texture may differ slightly but still delicious.

How do I get the frosting to pipe like in the photos?

Use a pastry bag fitted with a round tip and make sure the frosting is whipped enough to be fluffy but firm — not runny. If it’s too thick, adjust with a splash of heavy cream; too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Can these cookies be made ahead for a holiday party?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it in the fridge or even freeze it. Bake and frost right before your event for the freshest taste and appearance.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe has become one of those cozy, feel-good treats I’m so happy to share. They're easy enough to whip up on a whim, yet impressively festive and delicious. When you bite into one, I hope you feel that same holiday magic I get every time I bake this batch. Trust me, once you try them, they’ll be a new tradition in your kitchen, too!