There’s something unmistakably festive about soft, chewy sugar cookies dotted with colorful sprinkles, right? This Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe is my go-to holiday treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. No fuss with rolling pins—just scoop, chill, bake, and enjoy those sparkly bites of Christmas joy!

A stack of round cookies with a light beige base, mixed with red and green sprinkles inside the dough. The top of the cookies is also decorated with red, green, and white sprinkles scattered unevenly. The cookies have a slightly soft texture and are placed on a white marbled surface with a few glass bowls filled with the same colored sprinkles blurred in the background. 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 Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made tons of sugar cookie recipes over the years, but this one feels just right for Christmas. It’s quick to prep, loaded with sprinkles, and yields soft, chewy cookies that don’t spread too thin. Honestly, it’s the perfect cookie to share with family or bring to a holiday party.

Effortless prep: You don’t need any special tools—just a mixing bowl and something to scoop the dough.
Sprinkle-packed joy: Half the dough is sprinkled inside and half on top for double the festive fun.
Soft and chewy texture: These cookies stay perfectly tender, even days later.
Make-ahead friendly: Chilling the dough lets you bake fresh cookies whenever the craving hits.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a simple but crucial role here. I make sure to spoon and level the flour to keep the cookies tender, while the sprinkles bring bursts of color and crunchy bits inside that make these cookies feel truly special.

Flat lay of a small mound of spooned and leveled all-purpose flour, a small pile of fine white baking powder, a tiny mound of fine salt crystals, a half cup of soft unsalted butter shaped in a smooth block, a small white ceramic bowl filled with granulated white sugar, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl overflowing with colorful rainbow sprinkles placed symmetrically alongside another small white ceramic bowl with more rainbow sprinkles, all arranged with perfect symmetry 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 sturdy base, but don’t overpack it—you want light, tender cookies.
Baking powder: Gives just enough lift for puffy, soft cookies without making them cakey.
Salt: Balances sweetness to bring out the buttery flavor.
Unsalted butter: Using softened butter ensures the dough creams properly, creating a rich, tender crumb.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with that classic sugar-cookie bite.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth—a must for any sugar cookie!
Sprinkles: Adds festive pops of color inside and on top of each cookie, making them look as good as they taste.

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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

While I adore these sweet, sprinkle-loaded cookies as they are, I love to mix things up depending on the mood or occasion. It’s your holiday cookie, so feel free to customize it!

Variation: Sometimes, I swap vanilla with almond extract for a little nutty twist that my family surprisingly loves.
Dietary tweaks: For a gluten-free version, I’ve replaced flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend—with equally delicious results.
Sprinkle swaps: Fancy red and green holiday sprinkles or even mini chocolate chips add a fun festive touch.
Flavor add-ins: A pinch of ground cinnamon or ginger adds subtle holiday spice if you want a grown-up version.

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

A metal baking tray sits on a white marbled surface, lined with a brown silicone baking mat. On the mat, there are fifteen evenly spaced dough balls arranged in three rows of five. Each dough ball is light beige in color with small bits of red and green sprinkled on top, giving a festive look. The texture of the dough balls is smooth and round. The overall scene is simple and tidy, focused on the neatly placed dough balls. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl so everything is evenly mixed and ready to blend into your dough. It’s a small step but keeps your cookies from having pesky lumps or uneven rising.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about a minute on medium-high speed. This creaming incorporates air, giving your cookies a great texture!

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract on high speed until the mixture is smooth. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl sides to keep everything blended perfectly. This step ensures no pockets of dry flour later.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry, Add Sprinkles

Mix in the dry ingredients on low just until everything comes together—overmixing here can toughen your cookies. Stir in ½ cup of sprinkles so every bite has a little festive crunch. The dough will be thick and a bit sticky—that’s exactly right!

Step 5: Scoop and Chill the Dough

Scoop roughly 2 tablespoons of dough each and roll into balls. For extra sparkle, gently press additional sprinkles on top before placing them on a plate or lined sheet. Now, here’s a crucial part—cover and chill these for at least 2 hours (up to 4 days!). This chill time helps the cookies hold their shape and develop flavor.

Step 6: Bake Your Christmas Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. Space the chilled dough balls about 3 inches apart—they will spread slightly. Bake them for 12-13 minutes until the edges just start to brown but the centers still look soft—that’s your cue! Let them cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Top Tip

After baking these cookies a handful of times, I’ve realized a few tricks that really help get the best results every time.

Chill Really Matters: Don’t skip the chill! Letting the dough rest prevents overspreading and deepens the buttery flavor.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, stir just enough to combine. Overworking the dough leads to tougher cookies.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Soft butter and eggs blend more evenly, giving you a nicer texture.
Sprinkle Smart: Adding sprinkles inside and on top gives the cookies that irresistible burst of color, making them feel extra festive.

How to Serve Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe

Christmas Sugar Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love to give these cookies an extra pop by topping the dough balls lightly with red and green nonpareils before baking—super simple but makes them scream holiday cheer. Sometimes a little edible glitter or sanding sugar adds sparkle if you’re feeling fancy.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair perfectly with a mug of hot cocoa or freshly brewed coffee. For holiday gatherings, I usually set them alongside spiced cider or eggnog for a classic festive combo that everyone loves.

Creative Ways to Present

For gift-giving or parties, I’ll stack these cookies in pretty tins lined with parchment, sometimes wrapping stacks with festive ribbon. Another fun idea is to arrange them on a holiday-themed platter layered with fresh rosemary sprigs or cranberries—it adds a natural and fragrant touch that really impresses guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookies stay soft and chewy for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Just pop a slice of bread in the container with them—it helps maintain moisture and keeps them fresh longer (a little pantry magic I've learned!).

Freezing

I often freeze the cookie dough balls before baking—just flash freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want fresh cookies, bake from frozen adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a huge time saver during holiday chaos!

Reheating

If you want that just-baked warmth, heat cookies in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes or microwave a cookie for 10-15 seconds. It revives their softness without drying them out—at least that’s how I like to enjoy mine.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use margarine or shortening instead of butter in this recipe?

Butter is best for this Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe because it adds rich flavor and helps with texture. Margarine or shortening might change the taste and make the cookies less tender and flavorful.

Can I freeze the baked cookies or only the dough?

You can freeze both the dough and the baked cookies. For frozen baked cookies, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.

Why should I chill the cookie dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also lets the flavors develop and can improve texture, making the cookies softer and chewier.

Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?

This recipe calls for butter and egg, but you can try substituting vegan butter and a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoon water) to make it vegan or dairy-free. Keep in mind texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Final Thoughts

This Drop Style Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe hits all the right notes for me—the perfect mix of ease, flavor, and festive sparkle. They’re the kind of cookies that bring people together, whether you’re baking with kids or gifting to friends. You’ll enjoy the simple, joyous process and those soft, sprinkle-studded bites that taste like Christmas itself. Go ahead, give it a try—you won’t regret it!