These Rainbow Sprinkle Vanilla Pudding Cookies are pure fun! They're soft in the middle, crispy on the edges, and covered in colorful sprinkles. Perfect for any party or just when you want something sweet.
Why You'll Love These Cookies
Adding pudding mix to these cookies makes them extra soft and full of vanilla flavor. Want them even better? A splash of almond extract makes them taste amazing. They stay fresh for days, freeze well, and taste just like the ones from your favorite bakery.
What You Need
- Butter: 1 cup, soft but not melted
- Sugar: 1 cup regular white sugar
- Eggs: 1 whole egg plus 1 extra yolk
- Vanilla: 1½ teaspoons
- Almond Extract: ¼ teaspoon (skip if you don't have it)
- Flour: 2 cups regular flour
- Pudding Mix: 1 box vanilla instant pudding
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Sprinkles: ½ cup, plus extra for tops if you want
How to Make Them
- Get Ready:
- Put paper on two cookie sheets
- Measure Right:
- Spoon flour into measuring cup, level it off
- Mix Dry Stuff:
- Stir flour, pudding mix, and baking soda in a bowl
- Mix Wet Stuff:
- Beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes until fluffy
- Add Eggs:
- Mix in egg and vanilla until smooth
- Combine:
- Slowly mix dry ingredients into wet stuff
- Add Sprinkles:
- Stir in sprinkles gently
- Make Cookies:
- Roll dough into balls, add extra sprinkles on top if you want
- Chill:
- Put in freezer for 20 minutes
- Get Ready to Bake:
- Heat oven to 350°
- Bake:
- Cook 12-13 minutes until edges look golden
- Cool:
- Let sit 3 minutes, then move to cooling rack
Why Everyone Loves These
These cookies are special. Each bite is soft and chewy inside, a little crispy outside, with fun pops of color from the sprinkles. They're perfect for making someone smile, whether it's for a party or just because.
The Magic of Pudding Mix
Adding pudding mix makes these cookies extra good. It keeps them soft and gives them lots of vanilla flavor. Want to make them even better? Try adding a little almond extract - it makes them taste amazing.
Keeping Them Fresh
These cookies stay soft for days in a sealed container. Want them to last even longer? Put a piece of bread or a few marshmallows in with them. But they're so good, they probably won't last that long!
Saving Cookie Dough
Make extra dough for later. Roll it into balls, freeze them on a plate, then put them in a freezer bag. When you want fresh cookies, just bake them straight from the freezer - add one extra minute to cooking time.
Giving Cookies as Gifts
These cookies make great presents. Put them in a nice box or jar, and you've got a gift anyone would love. They're perfect for birthdays or just to make someone's day better.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use fake vanilla?
Yes, imitation vanilla works just as well as real vanilla for cookies. Real vanilla has a deeper, more complex flavor, but imitation still creates tasty cookies and is a budget-friendly option.
- No almond flavor - now what?
If you’re out of almond extract, don’t worry! Just double the vanilla extract in your recipe. The cookies will still have a lovely flavor with a smooth, classic vanilla taste.
- Must I chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape better and prevents them from spreading too much during baking. If you’re in a rush, you can skip this step, but the cookies may turn out softer and slightly flatter.
- Can I make them early?
Definitely! Roll the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer to a bag or container, and bake straight from the freezer when needed—just add an extra minute or two to the bake time.
- Need dairy-free options?
Yes, you can replace butter with coconut oil in equal amounts. It gives the cookies a subtle coconut flavor and creates a similar texture, keeping them soft and delicious without dairy.
Some More Ideas
Love these? Try making sugar cookies with extra sprinkles next time. Or bake pudding brownies when you want something chocolate. Both use what you've got in your pantry right now!