Sugar Cookies With Sanding Sugar

Name: Sugar Cookies With Sanding Sugar
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Red sugar sprinkles; Green sugar sprinkles

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These festive Sugar Cookies with Sanding Sugar are buttery, soft, and decorated in sparkly sprinkles for a colorful crunch. Perfectly sweet and so much fun to make, they’re a must-have treat for cookie swaps, holiday platters, or just because!

A stack of sugar cookies coated in red and green sprinkles. Holiday decorations, including baubles and a small Christmas tree, are in the background.

Classic Sugar Cookies for Christmas

Nothing says holiday fun like homemade sugar cookies covered in sparkling sugar! These are the cookies my kids beg to make every year, and honestly, I can’t blame them. Watching these colorful cookies bake and puff up in the oven is such a fun way to kick off the season.

And let’s talk about how easy they are! You simply mix, roll, chill, and bake; no complicated steps or fancy equipment needed. Whether you’re making them for a cookie swap or sneaking one with your coffee, these cookies are always a hit.

Don’t miss my cutout Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe for another festive treat to add to your holiday baking list!

Red and green sugar cookies stacked, with a few scattered on a light-colored surface.

Why We Love This Recipe

Festive and fun: These sugar cookies sparkle with colorful sanding sugar, making them a cheerful addition to any Christmas cookie platter.
Simple ingredients: This is an easy recipe made with basic ingredients like unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and a touch of vanilla.
Perfect for gifting: These cookies look beautiful, taste amazing, and are ideal to give as gifts to family and friends.

Ingredients

All purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Softened unsalted butter
Large egg
Vanilla extract
Salt
Baking powder
Baking soda
Red and green sanding sugar

How To Make These Sugar Cookies

Step 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl with a electric mixer, cream the
softened butter and sugar together. This should take about 2 minutes.

Step 2. Add the egg and vanilla to the mixing bowl and mix until well combined.

Mixing bowl with cookie dough and an egg, surrounded by bowls of flour, red and green sprinkles, vanilla, and salt on a white surface.

A mixing bowl with cookie dough surrounded by bowls of red sugar, flour, green sugar, and other ingredients on a white surface.

Step 3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to
combine.

Step 4. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar and butter mixture and mix until just combined. Avoid over-mixing the cookie dough here.

Bowl of flour, bowl of cookie dough, and bowls of red and green sprinkles on a white wooden surface.

Mixing bowl with flour mixture next to small bowls of red and green colored sugar on a white wooden surface.

Step 5. Place the colored sugar in separate shallow bowl or on plates. Using a small cookie scoop, roll the sugar cookie dough into balls. Roll in sugar sprinkles and place onto a parchment lined plate or baking sheet.

Step 6. Once all the cookies are rolled in sprinkles, place them in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This is a great time to preheat your oven to 350°.

Step 7. After the dough balls have chilled, bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies have crinkles in the top and the sides are set. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack.

Cookie dough balls covered with red and green sugar on a plate. A bowl of red sugar, a bowl of green sugar, and a mixing bowl with dough are on a white surface.

Red and green sugar cookies arranged in alternating colors on a cooling rack.

Step 8. Because these cookies are soft, you should allow them to cool for about 10 minutes on your baking sheet after removing them from the oven. Then you can transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

A plate of red and green cracked cookies on a table, surrounded by festive decorations and a dotted cloth.

Storage Instructions

Room temperature: You can store these sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Just keep them in a cool, dry spot so the sugar coating doesn’t melt.

Fridge: While it’s not required, you can add a few extra days by keeping them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh for about 7 days. Before serving, set them out and let them reach room temperature.

Freezer: These cookies freeze well too. Once baked, let them cool completely, then place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Add parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

A plate of vibrant red and green sugar cookies, with a cracked surface texture, is displayed up close.

Top Tips

Soften your butter: To help create a smooth, creamy cookie dough, make sure your butter is soft and ready to go before mixing.
Be sure to measure flour correctly: There’s no guessing in baking. Scoop and level your flour in a measuring cup instead of packing it down. Too much flour can make the dough too stiff and harder to work with.
Chill the cookie dough balls: This little step keeps them from spreading too much and gives them those pretty crinkles.
Don’t overmix: When you combine the dry ingredients with the wet, mix just until it all comes together. Overmixing can make the sugar cookies dense and tough instead of soft and chewy.
Let them cool: Let the cookies rest on a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them stay intact and keep from breaking.

A bottle of milk with a straw next to a stack of red and green sugar cookies. A Christmas tree decoration is in the background.

Different extracts: Switch things up by swapping vanilla for almond, lemon, or even peppermint extract. It’s an easy way to give your sugar cookies a whole new vibe!
Colored sanding sugar: Change up the sanding sugar to match your cookies to the occasion. Think red and pink for Valentine’s Day or pastels for Easter.
Drizzle with icing: Take your sugar cookies up a notch with a drizzle of royal icing or a simple glaze. Sweet, shiny, and just a little fancy!
Sprinkles: Roll cookie dough in a combination of sanding sugar and nonpareils for extra crunch and even more color.
Add zest: Toss in a little lemon, orange, or lime zest for a fresh, citrusy twist.
Dipped edges: For even more sweetness, you can dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate.

A hand holding a green sugar-dusted cookie above a pile of red and green cookies, with a glass of milk in the background.

FAQs

Can I use a cookie cutter with this dough?

I don’t recommend it. This dough is a little too soft for rolling and cutting out.

Can I freeze the raw cookie dough?

Yes, though I suggest that you wait to roll them in the sugar until you’re ready to bake them. Start by placing the cookie balls on a baking sheet, then place in the freezer ro a couple of hours. Once frozen, drop them into a freezer bag and they’ll stay fresh for up to a couple of months. When ready to bake, let them thaw overnight in a single layer in the refrigerator.

How can I get perfectly round cookies?

Rolling them into balls should give you round cookies. However, if you need to make the cookies a little more round, take a cookie cutter that’s slightly larger than your cookie and place it over the cookie while it’s still warm. Then use a circular motion to nudge your cookie into the round shape that you’re looking for.

How can I make sure my cookies stay soft?

Avoid overbaking! The cookies should look set around the edges but still soft in the center when you take them out of the oven. They’ll firm up as they cool.