Birthday Confetti Cookie

There’s something magical about baking cookies that brings joy to both the baker and the lucky ones who get to enjoy them. For me, the Birthday Confetti Cookie is the ultimate celebration treat. It’s vibrant, fun, and packed with nostalgia, reminding me of childhood birthdays and the excitement of blowing out candles. These cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with colorful sprinkles, making them the perfect edible gift or party dessert.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is to make, yet how impressive it looks. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just want to add a little sparkle to your day, these cookies are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Plus, they’re versatile—you can customize the sprinkles to match any theme or holiday. Let’s dive into what you’ll need and how to make these delightful treats!

What You Need To Make This Recipe

Unsalted butter: The base of our cookie dough, unsalted butter provides richness and moisture. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level in the recipe, ensuring the cookies don’t turn out too salty. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.

Granulated sugar: This adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp exterior while keeping the inside soft. It also helps the cookies spread just the right amount during baking.

Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like flavor and contributes to the chewiness of the cookies. Its moisture content helps keep the cookies soft and tender.

Egg: The egg acts as a binder, holding the dough together and adding structure. It also contributes to the cookies’ richness and helps them rise slightly during baking.

Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla enhances the overall flavor, adding a warm, sweet aroma that complements the buttery dough and sprinkles.

All-purpose flour: This is the foundation of the cookie dough, providing structure and stability. Be sure to measure it accurately to avoid dry or dense cookies.

Baking soda: A leavening agent that helps the cookies rise and spread, baking soda ensures they’re light and fluffy rather than flat and dense.

Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the cookies.

Sprinkles: The star of the show! Colorful sprinkles add a festive touch and a bit of crunch. Use jimmies or round sprinkles for the best results, as they hold their shape during baking.

Ingredients List

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sprinkles (plus extra for topping)

How to Make Birthday Confetti Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the dough, making the cookies tender.

Step 3: Add the Egg and Vanilla

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined. The mixture should look smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.

Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles

Gently fold in the sprinkles using a spatula. This ensures they’re evenly distributed without breaking or bleeding their color too much.

Step 7: Scoop and Shape the Dough

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion out the dough into balls. Roll each ball between your hands to smooth it out, then press a few extra sprinkles on top for a festive look.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy with a glass of milk or as a sweet treat any time of day!

Tips for Making This Recipe

Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures the dough comes together smoothly and bakes evenly.
Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
Chill the dough if needed: If the dough feels too soft, chill it for 15–20 minutes before scooping and baking.
Use high-quality sprinkles: Some sprinkles bleed their color during baking. Look for brands that hold up well in the oven.
Adjust baking time for your oven: Ovens vary, so keep an eye on the cookies after 10 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Store properly: Keep the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon to avoid overly salty cookies.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 2 days or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it come to room temperature before baking.

Why did my cookies spread too much?
This can happen if the butter is too soft or the dough isn’t chilled. Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and consider chilling the dough before baking.

Can I use gluten-free flour?
Yes, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture may vary slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.

How do I keep the sprinkles from bleeding?
Use high-quality sprinkles designed for baking, and avoid overmixing the dough once the sprinkles are added.

Enjoy baking these delightful Birthday Confetti Cookies and spreading a little joy with every bite!