If you are looking to add a burst of joy and color to your cookie jar, this Funfetti Cookies Recipe is absolutely the way to go. These cookies are soft yet slightly crisp around the edges, packed with a perfect blend of vanilla and cake batter flavors, and generously sprinkled with vibrant rainbow sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. What makes this Funfetti Cookies Recipe stand out is its delightful texture and irresistibly sweet taste that will make you want to bake batch after batch for family, friends, or simply to treat yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting these Funfetti Cookies Recipe ingredients together is straightforward, and each one plays a crucial role in creating those signature soft, chewy bites with bursts of color. From the choice of two flours to achieve the perfect texture, to the special cake batter extract that amplifies flavor, every ingredient counts.
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour: Provides structure and chewiness, balancing softness perfectly.
- 1½ cups cake flour: Adds lightness and tenderness to the cookie crumb.
- 2 tsp corn starch: Helps keep cookies extra soft by reducing gluten formation.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Gives the cookies a gentle lift and light texture.
- 1 tsp baking powder: Assists in leavening for a slightly puffy bite.
- 1 tsp salt: Enhances sweetness and balances flavors beautifully.
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed): Cold butter is key for that buttery richness and helps maintain dough consistency.
- 1¼ cup sugar: Sweetens and contributes to a slight crisp in the cookie edges.
- 2 large eggs: Bind the dough and add moisture for chewiness.
- 2 large egg yolks: Extra richness and tenderness.
- 1 tsp Cake Batter Extract: The secret to that nostalgic, birthday cake flavor that makes these cookies special.
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor with a warm, sweet aroma.
- 2 cups sprinkles (divided): Adds those signature pops of colorful surprise in every bite.
How to Make Funfetti Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheets
First things first, preheat your oven to 400ºF. It’s crucial to start with the right temperature to ensure the cookies bake evenly and develop that light golden edge. While the oven heats, line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to keep those cookies from sticking and to preserve their delicate texture.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients Carefully
In a large bowl, take your cake flour, all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt, and whisk them together thoroughly. This step might seem simple, but it’s essential to mix these powders evenly to guarantee each cookie has a balanced rise and texture. Set this bowl aside after mixing.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cold, cubed butter until it becomes smooth. Then add the sugar and continue to cream the two together until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This process traps air which helps create those soft and airy cookies we all love.
Step 4: Mix in Eggs and Extracts
Next, add the eggs, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and the all-important cake batter extract. These extracts are what give the cookies their signature nostalgic flavor—like biting into a bite-sized piece of fun and celebration. Mix just until everything is combined; overmixing can toughen your dough.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into your wet batter, folding gently to maintain the dough’s tenderness. Once mostly mixed, fold in ¾ cup of rainbow sprinkles. These sprinkles don’t just add fun colors; they melt in slightly, giving little bursts of sweetness that make the cookie truly sing.
Step 6: Shape Cookies and Apply a Sprinkle Coating
Divide your dough into 8 large balls. Roll each ball in the remaining ¼ cup of sprinkles to coat the outsides, giving the cookies a festive, colorful crust. Then arrange four cookies on each lined cookie sheet with space in between as they will spread slightly while baking.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes. They are ready when the edges begin to turn a light golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft. This timing ensures your cookies maintain a tender and chewy inside with just enough crisp on the outside for contrast.
Step 8: Let Cookies Cool Properly
Once baked, resist the urge to move them immediately. Let your cookies rest on the baking sheets for about 15 minutes so they can set up and finish cooking gently with residual heat. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool fully without becoming soggy.
How to Serve Funfetti Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies shine on their own, you can amp up their festivity by adding a light drizzle of white chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar if you like. For special occasions, a small swirl of colorful frosting on top makes these cookies look as joyful as they taste.
Side Dishes
Serve these Funfetti Cookies Recipe treats alongside a refreshing glass of cold milk, a warm cup of tea, or even a frothy cappuccino. The milky or coffee complement perfectly balances their sweetness and makes the experience extra indulgent and satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking these cookies in cute jars with ribbons for gifts, or display them on a bright cake stand at your next party to add a pop of cheerful color. You can also sandwich two cookies with vanilla or birthday cake-flavored frosting for an irresistible cookie sandwich!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have cookies left (which sometimes doesn’t happen), store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and fresh for up to 3 days, making it easy to grab a fun snack anytime.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking for up to 3 months. Just shape the dough balls, roll them in sprinkles as described, place them on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready, bake them directly from frozen adding an extra minute or two to baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy the cookies fresh from the oven once more, pop them in a 300ºF oven for 3-5 minutes or microwave briefly for about 10 seconds. This warm-up revives their softness and gooey texture beautifully.
FAQs
Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of cake batter extract?
Yes, you can substitute with vanilla extract alone, but the cake batter extract adds a unique, nostalgic carnival-like flavor that makes these cookies truly special. It’s worth seeking out if you want the authentic Funfetti Cookies Recipe taste.
Why does the recipe use two types of flour?
Using both all-purpose and cake flour strikes the perfect balance between structure and tenderness. The all-purpose flour gives a bit of chew, while the cake flour ensures the cookies stay soft and delicate.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the sugar slightly, but keep in mind that the sweetness complements the sprinkles and cake batter flavor. Reducing too much might make the cookies less flavorful and affect texture.
Are these cookies crunchy or soft?
This Funfetti Cookies Recipe yields soft and chewy cookies with just a slight crisp at the edges, which is the ideal texture to highlight the buttery, sweet flavor and to showcase the sprinkles’ colorful texture.
Can I use different kinds of sprinkles?
Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with jimmies, nonpareils, or even seasonal colors to personalize these cookies. Just avoid sprinkles that melt excessively to keep the classic fun texture.
Final Thoughts
This Funfetti Cookies Recipe is a wonderful way to bring a slice of celebration to your everyday baking. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply to brighten your day, these cookies deliver fun, flavor, and nostalgia in every bite. Don’t wait to treat yourself and those you love with a batch of these delightful, colorful cookies—once you’ve tried them, they are guaranteed to become a treasured favorite in your recipe collection.
Print
Funfetti Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 8 large cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these colorful and festive Funfetti Cookies, bursting with vibrant sprinkles and boasting a soft, buttery texture. Perfect for celebrations or a fun treat, these cookies combine the fluffiness of cake flours with the richness of butter and a hint of cake batter flavor for an irresistible taste.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups cake flour
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1¼ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp Cake Batter Extract
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-ins
- 2 cups sprinkles, divided
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, corn starch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Cream butter and sugar: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cold, cubed unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and continue to cream until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for softer cookies.
- Add eggs and flavorings: Mix in the eggs, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and cake batter extract until just combined, ensuring an even distribution of flavors throughout the dough.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing gently. Then fold in 3/4 cup of the rainbow sprinkles carefully to maintain the dough’s texture and colorful specks.
- Form dough balls: Divide the cookie dough into 8 large balls. Roll each ball generously in the remaining rainbow sprinkles to coat the outside, then place 4 balls on each prepared cookie sheet, spacing them adequately for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes until they start to turn a light golden brown around the edges, indicating they are perfectly baked but still soft inside.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 15 minutes after removing them from the oven to firm up, then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Using cold butter helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking, resulting in a thicker and softer texture.
- The combination of cake flour and all-purpose flour creates a perfect balance of tenderness and structure.
- Rolling the dough balls in sprinkles before baking enhances the funfetti appearance and adds extra bursts of color.
- Cool cookies on the baking sheet before moving to a rack to avoid breakage, as they are soft when warm.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
