Name: Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 2 h 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 2 h 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled); 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 1 large egg, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 1/2 cup (80g) sprinkles, plus more for topping

There’s something truly magical about the smell of freshly baked cookies during the holidays. These soft, sprinkle-studded delights melt in your mouth and bring instant cheer. I’m excited to share my Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe — it’s simple, joyful, and loaded with festive fun.

A stack of six round cookies sits in the center, each cookie dotted with small red, green, and white sprinkles inside the dough and more sprinkled on top. Around the stack are loose cookies showing the same colorful texture. In the background, two small clear bowls filled with red, green, and white sprinkles are slightly out of focus. All items are arranged on a white marbled surface, giving a clean and bright look. The lighting is soft, highlighting the texture and colors of the cookies. 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 Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made countless holiday cookies over the years, but these Christmas drop sugar cookies always bring me back. They’re effortless to whip up, requiring no special tools like rolling pins or cutters — just your hands and a spoon. Plus, the sprinkle mix-in is a festive surprise in every bite!

Super simple preparation: You just whisk, cream, mix, scoop, and chill — no fuss, just holiday fun.
Soft and chewy texture: Balanced perfectly between tender and just enough bite, making them downright addictive.
A sprinkle surprise inside and out: Tiny colorful bursts of sweetness make these cookies lively and kid-approved.
No rolling or cutting needed: Drop cookie style means less mess, less stress, and more time enjoying your kitchen creations.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a role in crafting the perfect Christmas drop sugar cookies. From the tenderizing butter to the sparkly sprinkles, here's a bit about why these pantry staples come together so wonderfully.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with white baking powder, a pinch of salt on a white ceramic plate, a half cup of unsalted butter softly softened and cut into a neat square on a white dish, a small white bowl with granulated sugar sparkling under natural light, a single large brown egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl holding clear vanilla extract, and a small white bowl filled with colorful Christmas sprinkles scattered evenly, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, placed 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

All-purpose flour: Provides the classic structure you want in a sugar cookie without making it heavy.
Baking powder: Adds just enough lift so the cookies puff slightly but stay soft and chewy.
Salt: Balances the sweetness, bringing depth to the flavor.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter ensures the dough creams up fluffy and tender.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a slight crisp edge as it bakes.
Egg: Binds ingredients with richness — always better at room temp for smooth mixing.
Pure vanilla extract: Classic flavor enhancer that brightens every bite.
Sprinkles: Not just decoration — folded into dough and on top for that joyful crunch and color burst.

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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 adding my own little twists to these Christmas drop sugar cookies to keep them exciting year after year. You can easily customize this basic formula to fit your taste or holiday theme.

Variation: I sometimes swap plain sprinkles for peppermint-colored ones, giving the cookies a cool minty vibe. It’s a fun way to dress them up and add a festive hint of flavor.
Dietary modifications: You can swap butter for coconut oil to make these dairy-free, though they’ll be a tad crumblier. Use your favorite allergy-friendly sprinkles to keep everyone included.
Spice it up: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dry ingredients adds a warm, cozy flavor that feels extra Christmas-y.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a metal baking tray with a brown silicone baking mat on a white marbled surface. On the mat, there are 15 round cookie dough balls arranged in three rows of five, evenly spaced. Each cookie dough ball is light beige with small bits of red and green mixed evenly inside. Some of the dough balls are topped with small colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white. The scene looks clean and neat, with the cookies ready to bake. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk together the dry ingredients

Start by mixing your all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures every bite is evenly seasoned and your cookies rise just right. I always whisk them together well so there aren’t any weird clumps later on.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar until fluffy

Using a hand or stand mixer, beat softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for about a minute. This step is crucial — it makes sure your cookies turn out soft and tender, not dense. You want a light, airy texture here.

Step 3: Add egg and vanilla, then combine

Next, add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract. Beat on high until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Don’t skip scraping the bowl here — it ensures everything blends evenly without any pockets of butter or sugar.

Step 4: Slowly mix in dry ingredients and sprinkles

On low speed, add the dry flour mixture into your butter mixture. Then fold in half a cup of sprinkles. The dough will get thick and sticky, which is perfect — that’s how your cookies stay soft and colorful inside.

Step 5: Shape, chill, and prep for baking

Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. Dip the tops gently into extra sprinkles for a festive finish. Pop the dough balls into the fridge for at least 2 hours. This chilling step is a game-changer — it lets the cookies set so they hold their shape and bake evenly.

Step 6: Bake and cool

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C), line your baking sheets, and place the chilled dough balls about 3 inches apart. Bake for 12-13 minutes until sides are lightly browned but centers still look soft. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack. This cooling step helps them firm up without losing that soft chew.

Top Tip

From years of baking these Christmas drop sugar cookies, I learned a few tricks that help make them perfect every time. These tips will save you stress and ensure joyful baking results.

Chill the dough thoroughly: Don’t rush this step. Chilling solidifies the butter and prevents spreading, so the cookies keep their nice shape and texture.
Use room temperature eggs and butter: It makes mixing easier, resulting in a smooth, fluffy batter that bakes evenly.
Don’t overbake: The centers look soft when you pull them out — that’s how they stay tender and chewy after cooling.
Sprinkle at the end: Dipping the cookie dough balls in extra sprinkles gives a festive finish that looks beautiful and keeps the sprinkles from burning in the oven.

How to Serve Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping it simple here — extra sprinkles on top are cheerful, but sometimes I add a tiny dollop of vanilla glaze for a little sheen and sweetness. A dusting of powdered sugar works too, especially if you want a snow-kissed look for your cookies.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a cozy cup of hot cocoa or a warm mug of spiced apple cider. I like serving them alongside holiday fruitcake or a cheese platter for a sweet and savory contrast during holiday parties.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving, I pile these cookies into a rustic tin layered with wax paper and tied with a red ribbon. At parties, I arrange them on a festive platter nestled in evergreen sprigs and mini ornaments for that winter wonderland vibe. Getting creative here makes the experience even more special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for up to a week — perfect for enjoying throughout the holiday season without worrying about spoilage.

Freezing

You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking or the baked cookies themselves. To freeze dough, place balls on a tray, freeze solid, then transfer to a resealable bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to baking time. Baked cookies freeze well wrapped tightly and last up to 3 months.

Reheating

To freshen up frozen or day-old cookies, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or warm in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes. This restores soft chewiness and feels just like fresh-baked.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of sprinkles in this Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! This recipe works great with your favorite sprinkles — whether they are jimmies, nonpareils, or holiday-shaped ones. Just avoid sprinkles that melt too much or discolor since they might affect the final look.

How long do Christmas Drop Sugar Cookies stay fresh?

When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh and soft for up to one week. Chilling the dough before baking helps maintain freshness even longer after baking.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Definitely! This is one of the best parts about this recipe. You can make the dough balls and refrigerate them for up to 4 days before baking. Just make sure to cover them well to keep the dough from drying out.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

No worries! A hand mixer works just fine for creaming the butter and sugar. Just make sure your butter is softened to room temperature to make the mixing easier and to get that fluffy consistency.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas drop sugar cookies hold a special place in my holiday baking lineup because they strike the perfect balance between simplicity and festivity. They’re practical to make, fun to decorate, and always a hit in my family — I’m confident you’ll love them just as much. Give this recipe a try, and I promise you’ll have a plate full of smiles and festive memories to share.