Soft Funfetti Cookies Recipe

There’s nothing quite like biting into a Soft Funfetti Cookie—each one delivers pure, colorful joy with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that simply begs for celebration. These cookies are perfect for birthdays, parties, or brightening up an ordinary afternoon. The beauty of this treat lies not just in the rainbow sprinkles scattered throughout, but in the buttery dough and festive flair that ensures smiles all around. If you love cookies that are chewy yet tender, with bursts of vanilla and a nostalgia-inducing sweetness, you’re in exactly the right place.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Soft Funfetti Cookies comes from a handful of simple pantry staples, plus the all-important sprinkles. Every ingredient brings something special—whether it’s softness, flavor, or that famous confetti appearance—so let’s see how each component works together for cookie perfection.

• All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and ensures each cookie is soft yet sturdy enough to hold plenty of sprinkles.
• Baking soda: Gives the cookies a subtle lift, helping with that delightfully thick and chewy bite.
• Cream of tartar: Adds a gentle tang and guarantees a super-tender crumb—don’t skip it!
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Unsalted butter (softened): Delivers rich flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture—make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Granulated sugar: For classic sweetness and those crisp-yet-soft edges.
• Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle molasses note and some extra chewiness.
• Egg: Binds all the ingredients and keeps the cookies soft.
• Egg yolk: Adds even more richness and ensures maximum chewiness.
• Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth for that bakery-style flavor.
• Almond extract (optional): Just a hint can make the funfetti flavor irresistible—skip if you prefer a classic vanilla base.
• Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies): The star of the show—use jimmies to avoid color bleeding and get those perfect pops of color.

How to Make Soft Funfetti Cookies

Step 1: Prep Your Workspace

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Taking a moment for this step upfront sets you up for a smooth baking process and ensures your Soft Funfetti Cookies bake evenly without sticking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Giving these dry ingredients a quick mix helps distribute the leaveners and salt, setting the foundation for cookies that rise and brown just right.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat your softened butter with both the granulated and brown sugars. Take your time with this step—a few minutes of mixing creates a light, airy base that leads to delightfully tender cookies.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts

Crack in the egg and the extra yolk, then pour in the vanilla extract (and almond extract if you’re going for a hint of nuttiness). Mix well until the dough looks creamy and cohesive—this is where flavor and texture start to build.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gradually add the bowl of whisked dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Mix on low speed or by hand, just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can make cookies tough, so stop once there are no streaks of flour left.

Step 6: Fold in the Sprinkles

It’s time to make these Soft Funfetti Cookies truly festive! Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles using a spatula—mix just enough to distribute those bursts of color without crushing them.

Step 7: Portion and Bake

Scoop the dough into 1.5-tablespoon balls, spacing them about 2 inches apart on the parchment-lined pans. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. When the edges are set but the centers still look a bit soft, they’re just right. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for the final cooling phase.

How to Serve Soft Funfetti Cookies

Garnishes

To make your Soft Funfetti Cookies even more inviting, gently press a few extra sprinkles onto the tops as soon as they come out of the oven. This makes each cookie look bakery-worthy and brings a little extra pop of color to the plate.

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk, a cozy mug of hot chocolate, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They also shine alongside fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple dessert platter everyone can enjoy.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack these Soft Funfetti Cookies on a cake stand for a party centerpiece, or package them in clear bags tied with colorful ribbons for festive favors. For an extra-special treat, sandwich a scoop of your favorite ice cream between two cookies to create showstopping (and delicious) homemade ice cream sandwiches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Soft Funfetti Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. The cookies stay soft and chewy, and the sprinkles keep their pretty pop of color—even after a couple days.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to three months. You can also freeze scooped dough balls, so you’re never far from freshly baked cookie goodness—just add a minute or two to the bake time straight from the freezer.

Reheating

If you’d like to enjoy your Soft Funfetti Cookies warm and gooey, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. This little trick revives the just-baked texture and makes the flavors extra dreamy.

FAQs

Can I use nonpareil sprinkles instead of jimmies?

It’s best to stick with jimmies because they hold their shape and color when baked. Nonpareils tend to bleed color into the dough, which can muddy the look of your Soft Funfetti Cookies.

How do I make the cookies thicker?

For thick, bakery-style Soft Funfetti Cookies, chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before baking. Cold dough spreads less, resulting in a chunkier, chewier cookie.

Why add cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar gives the cookies an extra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb and a subtle tang that sets them apart from ordinary sugar cookies. Don’t worry—your cookies won’t taste sour, just ultra tender!

Can I make these without almond extract?

Absolutely! The almond extract is optional and just adds a hint of bakery-style flavor. If you prefer, leave it out and enjoy the classic vanilla profile of Soft Funfetti Cookies.

What’s the best way to get perfectly round cookies?

Once the cookies come out of the oven, you can gently swirl a round cookie cutter around them while they’re still warm to shape up any uneven edges—this is a fun little baker’s trick for picture-perfect Soft Funfetti Cookies!

Final Thoughts

There’s something simply magical about sharing a plate of Soft Funfetti Cookies, whether it’s for a birthday, a bake sale, or an impromptu pick-me-up. I hope you’ll give these a try and experience the same giddy delight they bring to my kitchen every time. Happy baking!

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