Christmas Sprinkle Cookies Cups Recipe
Celebrate the holidays with these festive Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups, featuring buttery, soft cookies filled with colorful red and green sprinkles and topped with creamy vanilla frosting and extra sprinkles for a joyful touch. Perfect for sharing or gifting during the Christmas season.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 36 cookie cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/4 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup red sprinkles
- 1/4 cup green sprinkles
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- Additional sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray mini muffin pans with baking spray to prevent sticking and set them aside.
- Prepare the Dough Base: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter for about one minute using an electric mixer. Add powdered sugar, baking powder, and salt, then continue beating for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is creamy and well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Flour: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until incorporated. Gradually add the flour and beat just until the dough comes together; avoid overmixing.
- Divide and Add Sprinkles: Split the dough evenly into two portions. Fold green sprinkles into one half and red sprinkles into the other, mixing gently to distribute.
- Shape and Press Dough: Roll dough portions into 1-inch balls. Place each ball in the prepared mini muffin pan wells and press gently with your thumb to form a cup shape.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn light brown. Immediately after removing from the oven, press the centers with the rounded side of a measuring teaspoon to deepen the cups. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies cool, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until creamy. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is smooth and pipeable.
- Frost and Decorate: Using a piping bag fitted with a large star tip, frost the cooled cookies generously. Finish by sprinkling additional festive sprinkles on top.
- Store: Once decorated, store the cookie cups in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Notes
- Pressing the centers immediately after baking helps create a perfect cup shape for the frosting.
- Use fresh sprinkles for the best color and texture in the dough.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a suitable milk substitute in the frosting.
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing and smooth frosting.
Keywords: Christmas cookies, sprinkle cookies, holiday dessert, festive cookies, mini cookie cups, vanilla frosting, holiday baking
