Irresistible Funfetti Sugar Cookies Recipe in 30 Minutes

Oh, funfetti sugar cookies—just saying the name makes me smile These cheerful little treats are like a party in cookie form, bursting with colorful sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. I still remember the first time I baked them with my niece for her birthday—her eyes lit up when she saw those rainbow speckles peeking through the dough. And the best part? They’re SO easy to whip up, even if you’re not a baking pro. Just butter, sugar, and a whole lot of sprinkles (because honestly, can you ever have too many?). Trust me, one bite of these soft, buttery cookies, and you’ll be hooked. They’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just because—sometimes you need a little extra joy in your day, right?

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Seriously, these cookies are pure happiness in every bite—here’s why they’re my go-to for any occasion:

  • Effortless fun: No fancy techniques, just mix, scoop, and bake (perfect for last-minute cravings or surprise guests).
  • Instant party vibes: Rainbow sprinkles = automatic cheer. Kids (and let’s be real, adults too) go wild for them.
  • Cloud-soft texture: That melt-in-your-mouth crumb? Thank the perfect butter-to-sugar ratio—Grandma-approved.
  • Versatile superstar: Pack them for picnics, stack them as cake toppers, or eat them straight off the tray (no judgment).

Bonus: They smell like childhood nostalgia while baking. You’re welcome.

Ingredients for Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Okay, let’s gather our colorful cookie squad Here’s everything you’ll need—and yes, every single ingredient matters (especially those sprinkles). I’ve made these enough times to know: stick to the script, and you’ll get those perfect, bakery-style cookies every time.

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softenedNot melted Room temp is key for that dreamy texture.
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar – Measure it like you mean it—no skimping on sweetness here.
  • 1 large egg – Crack it right into the mix; no fancy prep needed.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – The good stuff, please Imitation vanilla? Hard pass.
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour – Spoon and level, friends—no packed cups unless you want hockey pucks.
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – Just a pinch to give these babies the perfect lift.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt – Trust me, it balances the sugar like a charm.
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles – The star of the show Go for the long “jimmies” style—they hold their color better.

Pro tip: Set everything out before you start. Cold butter? No thanks. And those sprinkles? Hide them from sneaky little hands—I speak from experience.

How to Make Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Alright, let’s get these rainbow beauties into the oven Follow these steps, and you’ll have cookies that look straight out of a bakery window. Just promise me one thing—don’t rush the creaming step. That’s where the magic happens

Mixing the Dough

First things first: preheat that oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab your trusty mixer and let’s cream the butter and sugar together until it’s light, fluffy, and almost white—about 3 minutes on medium speed. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through; those sneaky butter clumps love to hide

Next, beat in the egg and vanilla until just combined. Now, whisk together your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, and salt) in another bowl. Gradually add them to the butter mixture on low speed—I do it in three batches to avoid a flour explosion. Stop mixing as soon as the last streaks disappear. Overmixing? That’s your enemy here; it’ll make the cookies tough.

Finally, gently fold in those glorious rainbow sprinkles with a spatula. They should be evenly distributed but not smashed to bits. The dough will be soft but hold its shape when scooped.

Funfetti sugar cookies - detail 1

Baking Tips for Perfect Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—no sticking, no fuss. Scoop the dough into 1-inch balls (a cookie scoop is your best friend here) and space them about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread just enough to become perfect little rounds.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look slightly underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool Let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Resist the urge to eat one immediately—hot sprinkles are sneaky little heat traps. Learned that the hard way

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Listen, I know the urge to improvise is real—but with funfetti cookies, some swaps just don’t sparkle the same. Here’s the scoop:

  • Sprinkles: Stick to classic rainbow jimmies (those long, skinny ones). The cheap, dusty “nonpareils” bleed color faster than my mascara in summer. And natural dyes? Pretty, but they’ll turn your dough tie-dye—not the vibe.
  • Butter: Margarine works in a pinch, but your cookies will spread more and lack that rich flavor. If you must sub, use 3/4 cup coconut oil (solid, not melted) plus 1/4 tsp salt.
  • Vanilla: Almond extract (1/2 tsp) adds funfetti cake nostalgia, but don’t skip the vanilla entirely—it’s the flavor backbone

Pro tip: Gel food coloring (if you’re tinting dough) outperforms liquid every time. Less moisture = no sad, flat cookies.

Storing and Freezing Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Here’s the good news: these cookies stay soft for days—if they last that long Store them in an airtight container at room temperature with a slice of bread tossed in (sounds weird, but it keeps them chewy). They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days… unless my cookie-monster nephews stop by first.

Want to freeze them? You’ve got options Shape the dough into balls, freeze on a tray, then toss into a bag—they’ll bake straight from frozen (just add 1-2 minutes). Already baked? Layer cooled cookies between parchment in a container and freeze for up to 2 months. A quick 10-second microwave zap brings back that just-baked magic.

Funfetti Sugar Cookies Variations

Want to mix things up? These cookies are like a blank canvas for your wildest sprinkle-filled dreams Try folding in zesty lemon or orange peel with the sprinkles—the citrus tang cuts through the sweetness beautifully. Or swap half the vanilla for almond extract to mimic that classic funfetti cake flavor. Feeling extra indulgent? Toss in white chocolate chips—they melt into creamy pockets that pair perfectly with the crunch of sprinkles. Just promise me you’ll keep the rainbows front and center—that’s the whole point, right?

Funfetti sugar cookies - detail 2

Funfetti Sugar Cookies Nutritional Information

Okay, let’s keep it real—these are cookies, people, not kale chips But for those who like numbers (or are balancing that second… okay, third cookie), here’s the scoop per cookie: roughly 150 calories, 7g fat, and 20g carbs. Just remember, values change based on your butter brand or if you go rogue with extra sprinkles (no shame). Now go enjoy that rainbow bite

Can I use margarine instead of butter?

You can, but your cookies will spread more and lose that rich, buttery depth. If you must sub, try half butter, half margarine—but honestly? Just wait for your butter to soften properly

Why did my cookies turn out flat?

Two likely culprits: over-creaming the butter/sugar (stop at pale and fluffy) or using melted butter. Also—check that baking powder isn’t expired. It happens

How do I keep my sprinkles from bleeding color?

Fold them in last, right before scooping, and use quality jimmies (not nonpareils). Natural dyes? They’ll turn your dough pastel—pretty, but not rainbow-bright.

These Irresistible Funfetti Sugar Cookies bring joy to your kitchen in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for celebrations or quick sweet cravings. For more easy cookie ideas, try our classic Chocolate Chunk Cookies or our buttery Toffee Nut Cookies. Find more delightful treats in our dessert recipes collection

Share Your Funfetti Sugar Cookies

I’d love to see your sprinkle-filled masterpieces Tag me on Facebook with your rainbow creations—nothing makes me happier than spotting those colorful cookies in your feed. And hey, drop a review if you tried them Did they pass the kid test? The neighbor test? Spill all the details—I read every one.

Print

Irresistible Funfetti Sugar Cookies Recipe in 30 Minutes

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Colorful and sweet funfetti sugar cookies perfect for any celebration.

  • Author: RecipeZest
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
  4. Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
  5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
  6. Fold in rainbow sprinkles.
  7. Scoop dough into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
  9. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for brighter colors.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft.
  • For thicker cookies, chill dough for 30 minutes before baking.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made

Readers Love These Recipes

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star