Easy No-Chill Funfetti Cut-Out Sugar Cookies From Scratch: Your Go-To Recipe for Colorful Delights
Get ready to add a burst of color and joy to your baking with this incredibly simple and fun funfetti cookies recipe. Crafted entirely from scratch with everyday ingredients, these cut-out cookies promise a delightful experience without the hassle of chilling dough or worrying about spreading. Imagine a cookie that’s perfectly crispy on the outside, wonderfully soft and chewy on the inside, and absolutely loaded with vibrant sprinkles – that’s exactly what you’ll get!
I am thrilled to share this fantastic funfetti cookie recipe, a vibrant addition to my ever-growing collection of cut-out sugar cookies. These cheerful treats are not only incredibly pretty and colorful, but they also boast a flawless texture that’s hard to resist. Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch followed by a tender, melt-in-your-mouth interior, all made even better by a generous scattering of sprinkles. Much like my popular Chocolate Sugar Cookies (Cut Out) and Coconut Sugar Cookies (Cut Out), these funfetti versions are sure to become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
One of the biggest advantages of this recipe is that it requires absolutely no chilling. You can mix the dough, roll it out, cut your shapes, and bake immediately! This means less waiting and more enjoying. Even without chilling, these cookies hold their shape beautifully during baking, ensuring your meticulously crafted designs come out perfect every time. They are truly exceptional as homemade gifts, bringing a smile to anyone’s face, and are especially cherished during the festive holiday season or for Christmas cookie exchanges.
Why These Funfetti Sugar Cookies Are a Must-Try
These aren’t just any funfetti cookies; they are a celebration in every bite! Their irresistible combination of a crisp edge and a tender center makes them stand out. The abundance of sprinkles isn’t just for show; they add a playful texture and a hint of sweetness that elevates the entire cookie experience. Beyond their delightful taste and texture, their vibrant appearance makes them perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to everyday treats.
A Simple Path to Perfect Funfetti Cookies: Step-by-Step Guide
Making these gorgeous funfetti cookies is surprisingly straightforward. Here’s a quick overview of the steps that lead to baking perfection:
- **Cream Butter and Sugar:** Start by creaming together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ light texture.
- **Incorporate Wet Ingredients:** Beat in egg yolks one at a time, followed by sour cream and vanilla extract. These ingredients add richness, moisture, and flavor.
- **Add Dry Ingredients:** Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt until a shaggy dough forms. Then, bring it together with your hands to create a smooth, workable dough.
- **Roll the Dough:** Roll the dough evenly between two sheets of wax paper to prevent sticking and ensure uniform thickness, which is crucial for even baking.
- **Add Sprinkles:** Remove the top wax paper, generously scatter rainbow sprinkles over the dough, and gently press them in by rolling one last time with the wax paper on top. This ensures they adhere well.
- **Cut, Bake, and Enjoy:** Use your favorite cookie cutters to create fun shapes, transfer them to a baking sheet, and bake until lightly golden around the edges.
Creative Variations for Your Funfetti Cookie Adventures
While the classic funfetti cookie is a star on its own, this recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Here are some delightful twists you can explore:
Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies / Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies
If you’re looking for an even quicker shortcut, you can adapt a cake mix. This recipe is slightly different from the scratch version below, but equally delicious. Simply follow my Cake Mix Cookies recipe instructions, but instead of chocolate, use a vanilla cake mix as your base. Then, stir in about ½ to ¾ cup of rainbow sprinkles directly into the batter. Brands like Duncan Hines, Betty Crocker, or Pillsbury cake mix work perfectly for this variation, yielding soft, chewy cookies with that distinct cake mix flavor.
Christmas Funfetti Cookies
Transform these cheerful cookies into a festive holiday treat by simply swapping out the rainbow sprinkles for Christmas-themed ones. Think vibrant red, green, and white sprinkles, or even small holiday-shaped sprinkles like stars or trees. These are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a joyful homemade gift during the festive season.
Chocolate Chip Funfetti Cookies
For a delightful combination of two beloved classics, stir in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough along with the sprinkles. The tiny chocolate chips add an extra layer of sweetness and a rich chocolatey counterpoint to the vanilla-flavored funfetti base, creating an utterly irresistible cookie that appeals to everyone.
Funfetti Cookie Bars
Pressed for time or prefer a less hands-on approach to cutting out shapes? Turn this dough into delicious funfetti cookie bars! Simply press the entire cookie dough into a rectangle baking pan (such as a 9×13 inch pan). Bake it until golden brown, then, immediately after taking it out of the oven, use a sharp knife to cut it into square or rectangular pieces. These bars are excellent for sharing and are just as festive and flavorful as their individual counterparts.
Expert Tips for Homemade Funfetti Cookie Success
Achieving bakery-quality funfetti cookies at home is easier than you think with these crucial tips:
- **Use Unsalted Butter:** Opt for unsalted butter. This gives you complete control over the saltiness of your cookies, preventing them from becoming overly salty and ensuring a balanced flavor.
- **Decorating Options:** While these cookies are already stunning with their vibrant sprinkles, they also serve as an excellent base for further decoration. You can ice them with classic Royal Icing for intricate designs, simple Glace Icing for a sweet glaze, or creamy American Buttercream Frosting. For an extra fun touch, consider pairing them with Funfetti Frosting (Sprinkle Frosting).
- **Room Temperature Ingredients are Key:** Ensure all your cold ingredients, especially butter and egg yolks, are at room temperature. This allows them to blend smoothly and thoroughly, creating a homogeneous dough that bakes evenly and yields a superior texture. Cold ingredients can lead to a lumpy batter and a denser, less tender cookie.
- **Don’t Skip the Sour Cream:** The sour cream in this recipe is not optional. It plays a vital role in adding moisture and tenderness to the cookies, preventing them from becoming dry or “rock solid.” It contributes to the soft, chewy interior, making these funfetti cookies truly irresistible.
- **Monitor Baking Times Closely:** Baking times can vary significantly based on your oven’s calibration and the thickness and size of your cookies. Keep a close eye on them; they are ready when the edges are lightly golden brown. Overbaking can lead to dry, hard cookies.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
To keep your funfetti cookies fresh and delicious:
- **Room Temperature Storage:** Once completely cooled, store leftover cookies in an airtight container or cookie jar at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- **Freezing Baked Cookies:** For longer storage, baked and cooled cookies can be frozen. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- **Freezing Dough:** You can also freeze the raw cookie dough. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling and cutting. Alternatively, cut out shapes and freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Funfetti Cookies
- What kind of sprinkles should I use?
- Jimmie sprinkles (the long, thin ones) are usually best as they hold their color and shape well during baking. Nonpareils can bleed color, especially if the dough is too wet or overmixed. Rainbow sprinkles are classic for funfetti!
- Can I use whole eggs instead of just yolks?
- The recipe calls for egg yolks to provide richness and tenderness without adding too much moisture that could make the cookies spread. Using whole eggs might slightly alter the texture and could lead to more spreading.
- Why do my funfetti cookies spread?
- Common reasons for cookie spreading include butter that’s too soft or melted, not enough flour, overmixing the dough, or incorrect oven temperature. This recipe is designed to prevent spreading, especially if you follow the “no chilling” steps as described. Ensure your butter is softened but still cool to the touch, not greasy.
- Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
- While I haven’t tested it personally, you might be able to substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Results may vary slightly in texture.
- How do I ensure the sprinkles don’t melt or bleed?
- Pressing the sprinkles into the dough after rolling, as described in step 5, helps them adhere and stay put. Baking at the correct temperature for the specified time also prevents excessive melting. Using high-quality jimmie sprinkles is also beneficial.
Other Classic Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a cookie enthusiast, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes:
- Small Batch Sugar Cookies
- Stained Glass Cookies
- Pinwheel Cookies
Recipe
Funfetti Sugar Cookies (Cut Out Recipe)
Abeer Rizvi
Pin Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from CakeWhiz
Ingredients
- ½ cup Unsalted Butter Softened to room temperature
- ⅔ cups Granulated sugar
- 2 Large egg yolks At room temperature
- 2 tablespoons Sour cream At room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Rainbow sprinkles (Jimmie sprinkles work best)
Instructions
-
In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
-
Add the egg yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is evenly combined.
-
Stir in the room temperature sour cream and vanilla extract. Mix until these wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth.
-
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined and a shaggy, crumbly dough forms. Avoid overmixing. At this point, turn off the mixer and use your hands to gently knead the mixture together until it forms a cohesive, smooth sugar cookie dough.
-
Divide the dough in half and place one half between two large sheets of wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough evenly to about ¼ inch thickness. Remove the top sheet of wax paper and evenly spread half of the rainbow sprinkles over the flattened cookie dough. Place the wax paper back on top and gently roll over it one last time to press the sprinkles firmly into the dough. Repeat with the remaining dough and sprinkles.
-
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Carefully peel off the top wax paper and use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Gently transfer the cut-out cookies to a cookie tray lined with parchment paper, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie. Re-roll any dough scraps and cut out more shapes until all dough is used.
-
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 6 minutes. Then, rotate your baking tray 180 degrees and continue to bake for another 3-5 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are light golden brown. The center might still look slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake! Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, read all the detailed tips above before you begin baking.
- Leftover funfetti cookies can be stored in an airtight container or a cookie jar at room temperature for up to 1 week, retaining their wonderful texture.
- Baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, then arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid before transferring to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
We hope you love these delightful Funfetti Sugar Cookies as much as we do. They’re truly a joy to bake and even more fun to eat! Until next time, tata my lovelies!