If you’re looking for a fun and festive treat to celebrate spooky season, you’ve got to try this Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe. These cookies are not only adorable with their vibrant orange and black sprinkles, but they’re also soft, buttery, and downright addictive. I absolutely love how these turn out because they’re simple to make, and everyone—from kids to adults—goes crazy for them. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to bake the perfect batch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these in your pantry, making it super easy to whip up.
- Festive & Fun: The orange and black sprinkles give these cookies a perfect Halloween vibe without any extra effort.
- Soft, But Substantial: Unlike some sprinkle cookies that can be crunchy, these stay delightfully soft and chewy.
- Kid-Friendly Activity: Rolling dough in sprinkles is a fun task for kids, so get the family involved!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together perfectly to create a buttery cookie dough that holds the sprinkles beautifully. Using room temperature butter and fresh eggs really makes a difference, and the vanilla adds a lovely warmth.
- Butter: Room temperature is key here so it creams smoothly with the sugar, giving your cookies that tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: For sweetness and a little structure.
- Eggs: Adds moisture and binds everything together.
- Vanilla extract: A small amount packs a flavorful punch that elevates the whole cookie.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our dough — just the right amount to keep cookies soft but not cakey.
- Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift so the cookies aren’t too flat.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Orange and black sprinkles: The stars of the show! I recommend using good-quality sprinkles to avoid melting colors and to keep that crunchy contrast.
Variations
I love making this Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe my own by switching up sprinkles and flavors. Feel free to tweak it to match your taste or dietary needs—you can’t go wrong!
- Use Different Sprinkles: Trying purple and green sprinkles instead of orange and black added a spooky witchy vibe that my niece adored last year.
- Gluten-Free Version: I swapped all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend once for a friend, and it worked beautifully—just be sure to check your blend includes xanthan gum or add a bit for structure.
- Nut-Free: This recipe is naturally nut-free, making it safe for most kids’ parties.
- Add Pumpkin Spice: A teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice mixed into the dough brings a warm, fall flavor twist I found irresistible.
How to Make Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grab your stand mixer or hand mixer and cream together the butter and sugar for about two minutes or until it’s light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air and sets the foundation for tender cookies. I usually pause once halfway to scrape down the sides of the bowl—it helps everything mix evenly.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add your eggs one at a time along with the vanilla. Mix just until combined—overbeating here can make your cookies tough, so keep it gentle. I remember the first time I rushed this step and ended up with dense cookies—it’s worth the patience!
Step 3: Mix in Dry Ingredients
Now, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Adding them to the wet mixture, blend on low speed until everything is just incorporated. Your dough should feel sticky but manageable. At this point, don’t worry if it looks a little messy—that’s normal before the sprinkles get involved.
Step 4: Coat the Dough in Sprinkles
This part is my favorite! Pour your festive orange and black sprinkles into a separate bowl. Scoop cookie dough balls out of the mixing bowl and roll each one around in the sprinkles until completely covered. Then reshape it into a neat ball before setting on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. It’s a bit like rolling cookie dough in a candy coat, and the kids always want to help here.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookies at 350°F for about 10 minutes. They’ll spread quite a bit, so I recommend limiting each cookie sheet to eight cookies to give them room. Once out of the oven, let them cool completely on the pan—if you try to move them too soon, they might break. I learned this the hard way, so patience really pays off!
Pro Tips for Making Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
- Room Temperature Butter: Ensures smoother creaming with sugar, leading to softer cookies—with cold butter, the texture can suffer.
- Don’t Skip Scraping the Bowl: It helps evenly mix ingredients, so no chunks of flour or butter hide in the dough.
- Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Limit Dough per Sheet: Giving cookies enough space prevents merging so each cookie stays distinct and pretty.
How to Serve Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with these cookies, but sometimes I add a little extra orange zest or a light dusting of powdered sugar to brighten them up. For bigger parties, a sprinkle of edible glitter can turn these into real showstoppers without changing taste.
Side Dishes
Pairing these cookies with a warm cup of spiced cider or a creamy hot chocolate is my go-to way to enhance the festive feel. For more substantial treats, a cheese platter or fruit skewers balance out the sweetness nicely.
Creative Ways to Present
For Halloween gatherings, I like putting these cookies on a tiered tray alongside mini pumpkins and little spooky figurines. Wrapping a few cookies up in clear cellophane tied with orange and black ribbons makes for an adorable take-home gift. You can even shape the dough into pumpkins using cookie cutters before baking for added flair!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature, and they stay fresh and chewy for 2 to 3 days. If they start to lose some softness, popping them into the microwave for 10 seconds brings them back nicely.
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies either baked or as dough balls rolled in sprinkles. I like freezing the dough balls on a sheet first, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh chilled or frozen cookies, I warm them in the oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or briefly in the microwave on low power. This revives that just-baked softness and makes them taste like fresh out of the oven.
FAQs
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Can I use other colored sprinkles besides orange and black?
Absolutely! While orange and black give a classic Halloween feel, you can customize sprinkles to match any theme or preference. Just make sure to use quality sprinkles that don’t melt or bleed color when baked.
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How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?
Scooping dough balls and chilling them for 10-15 minutes before baking can help control spreading. Also, avoid using butter that’s too melted or warm, as it can cause cookies to flatten out more.
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Can I make these cookies dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil that’s solid at room temperature. Keep in mind texture and flavor may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious and festive.
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How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields about 24 medium-sized cookies, perfect for sharing at Halloween parties or handing out to trick-or-treaters.
Final Thoughts
This Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe has been a go-to in my kitchen every October because it brings that perfect mix of festive spirit and deliciousness. I love how easy it is to make, yet how impressive the results look and taste. Whether you’re baking with kids or want a quick treat to serve at a Halloween party, these cookies always deliver smiles and sweet memories. Give them a try—you’re going to love how simple trick-or-treating at home can be with a batch of these beauties!
PrintHalloween Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Halloween Cookies with Sprinkles are a festive and easy treat perfect for celebrating the spooky season. Soft, buttery cookies are rolled in vibrant orange and black sprinkles, creating a fun and colorful appearance. Baked to perfection, these cookies are sure to be a hit at any Halloween party or treat table.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Topping
- 1 cup orange and black sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and granulated sugar for about two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, mixing until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough forms and is fully incorporated. The dough will be sticky at this point.
- Coat Dough with Sprinkles: Pour the orange and black sprinkles into a separate bowl. Scoop portions of the cookie dough and roll them in the sprinkles until completely coated. Reshape each coated dough ball before placing on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
- Arrange Cookies: Place the dough balls on the cookie sheets, limiting to about eight cookies per sheet as they will spread during baking.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. The cookies should be set and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool and Store: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the pan. Store in an airtight container to keep fresh for 2 to 3 days.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for easy creaming and better cookie texture.
- Do not overcrowd the cookie sheet, as cookies spread during baking.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before transferring to containers to prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute sprinkles with other festive colors or even chocolate chips for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg