Soft Confetti Cream Cheese Cookies (Festive for Any Occasion)
- SK Carr
- Oct 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 20
Every Christmas, we bake a batch (or two) of these soft confetti cream cheese cookies for our friends and family. They’re buttery, tender, and rolled in bright rainbow sprinkles that make every plate feel instantly festive. The best part? You don’t need to refrigerate the dough. Just mix, scoop, roll, and bake.
We love how they pair with our light blue snowflake or star cookies (which well be sharing soon!) for a cheerful Christmas cookie plate, but these are just as perfect for birthdays, baby showers, or any day that needs a little color and and joy. Once you try them, they’ll likely become your new favorite confetti cream cheese cookie too.
Soft Confetti Cream Cheese Cookies
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, room temperature
¼ cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1¼ cups sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla or vanilla bean paste
¼ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer), beat the butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Scrape down the bowl and mix again until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky which what you want. Don’t add more flour.
Using a #40 cookie scoop (about 1½ tablespoons), scoop heaping portions of dough. Roll each scoop gently between your palms to form a ball.
Press the dough ball into a shallow bowl of rainbow sprinkles, coating the top and sides. (The slight stickiness helps the sprinkles adhere beautifully.)
Place on the baking sheet, spacing cookies about 1½ inches apart.
Use the flat bottom of a glass to gently press each cookie to about ¼–½ inch thickness, keeping the tops even.
Bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on your texture preference. Shorter for soft and chewy, longer for crisp edges.
Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 22–24 large cookies.
For smaller cookies, use a level scoop to yield about 28–30.
Notes from the Kitchen
Sprinkle options: We love using classic rainbow sprinkles. The pink and blue always remind us of snow and Christmas lights. For another holiday theme, use red and green sprinkles or mix two solid colors for a fun contrast. Nonpareils also work beautifully if you prefer a little crunch. The color possibilities are endless for Christmas or any occasion.
Sticky dough tip: The dough should feel soft and slightly sticky. This helps the sprinkles attach and keeps the cookies tender. You can chill the dough for 10–15 minutes if you prefer firmer handling, but it’s not necessary.
Half batch option: This recipe halves easily. Whisk the egg in a small bowl and use about half of it by pouring roughly half the mixture into the dough. Perfect when you just want a small batch for two!
Freezer-friendly: These cookies freeze beautifully. Store baked cookies in an airtight container and thaw a few at a time when the craving hits.
Variations: Try rolling in finely chopped nuts with a touch of cinnamon, mini chocolate chips, or peanut butter chips. The dough is soft enough that most small toppings will stick. Have fun, play, and experiment.
Gifting: These always make our Christmas cookie gift boxes every year, and they’re always one of the first to disappear.
PS: We’re committed to keeping this space ad-free so you can enjoy our recipes without distractions. In lieu of ads, we include affiliate links for products we truly love and use in our kitchen, like our favorite cookie scoop, vanilla bean paste, and sprinkles above. When you purchase through those links, it helps support our work at no extra cost to you.
More Recipes You’ll Love:
Our Favorite Cinnamon Rolls → – soft, gooey, and ideal for holiday brunch.
Easy Southern Biscuits → – flaky, buttery, and perfect for a holiday morning or any morning.
About Us
We’re Kevin and Kate, a husband-and-wife duo who love
good food, great cocktails, and delicious nights at home. Together, we create Date Nite, a collection of curated menus, cocktails, and playlists that bring connection back to the table. We believe in cooking with connection & intention, sharing joy, and making even ordinary nights feel a little special.
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