There’s something magically festive about these Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies that just lights up the holidays. Soft, chewy, and loaded with colorful sprinkles, they bring that perfect balance of sweetness and a little nostalgic crunch. Whenever I pop these into the oven, my kitchen instantly feels warmer and cozier—making them my go-to recipe for cookie exchanges or just a sweet treat with a cup of cocoa.

What I really love about this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe is how the instant vanilla pudding mix transforms the texture, giving you softness that lasts for days—unlike those brittle cookies that get stale too fast. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate that they’re super easy to whip up even on busy holiday mornings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to create the soft, flavorful cookies you’re craving. Plus, many of them are pantry staples, so you might already have most on hand—score! Here’s what you need and some tips to get the best results.

Unsalted butter: Using unsalted butter lets you control the salt level. Make sure it’s at room temperature so it creams properly with the sugar.
Shortening: This helps keep the cookies tender and gives them structure without being too heavy.
Granulated sugar: Classic sweetness—don’t swap it out for brown sugar or the texture will change.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs mix best and help your cookies rise evenly.
Vanilla extract: Always go for pure vanilla for the most natural, rich flavor.
All-purpose flour: Provides the base for the cookie dough. Measure carefully for soft cookies, not cakey.
Instant vanilla pudding mix: This is the secret weapon for super soft, moist cookies. Don’t skip it!
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise just the right amount.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Christmas sprinkles: Choose your favorites—rainbow nonpareils or holiday-themed sprinkle shapes add fun and color.

Variations

One of the best things about this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe is how much room there is to make it your own. I love swapping in different sprinkles or even adding a handful of white chocolate chips for an extra indulgent twist.

Gluten-Free Version: I’ve tried this recipe using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and the texture stays delightfully soft—just be gentle when mixing to avoid density.
Chocolate Pudding Swap: Substituting chocolate pudding mix offers a rich depth that’s perfect for chocoholics in the family.
Nut Addition: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a great crunch—my husband swears by this little upgrade!
Sprinkles Variety: Try mixing holiday shapes with regular sprinkles for a whimsical look that kids love.

How to Make Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Your Butter, Shortening, and Sugar

Start by placing the unsalted butter, shortening, and granulated sugar into a large mixing bowl. Using your stand mixer or hand mixer, cream these ingredients together until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 3-4 minutes. Don’t rush this step; good creaming traps air which makes your cookies tender and helps them rise evenly in the oven.

Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, crack in the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Then pour in the vanilla extract. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature to prevent the butter from curdling—this keeps your batter smooth and consistent.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, instant vanilla pudding mix, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and prevents lumps of pudding mix from ending up in one place.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing can develop gluten and make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as there are no streaks of flour.

Step 5: Stir in the Sprinkles

Gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles with a spatula or wooden spoon. Stirring them in at the end helps keep their colors vibrant and prevents bleeding—this little trick keeps your cookies looking their festive best.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Scoop cookie dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart as they will spread slightly. Bake in a 350°F (175°C) preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The edges should look set but centers still soft. Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely—this keeps them chewy inside but firm enough to handle.

How to Serve Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe

The image shows seven white bowls and three brown eggs arranged neatly on a white marbled surface. The largest bowl is filled with white flour with a slightly uneven surface, placed at the bottom right. Above it, a small bowl holds white granulated sugar, and next to it, a small bowl contains a dark brown liquid, likely vanilla extract. On the top left, a medium bowl holds three stacked blocks of pale yellow butter. Below it, another medium bowl contains cream cheese with a block on top. At the bottom left, a small bowl is filled with tiny round sprinkles in red, green, and white colors. Three brown eggs are positioned above the sugar and vanilla bowls, completing the arrangement. The setup is simple and clean, with even lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple for garnishes, just adding a light dusting of powdered sugar if I want extra holiday sparkle. Sometimes a drizzle of white chocolate pairs beautifully, especially when serving at a party—it adds elegance without overpowering the sprinkle fun.

Side Dishes

These cookies shine on their own, but I love pairing them with a warm cup of spiced eggnog or hot chocolate. For a brunch or holiday cookie tray, add some fresh fruit or nuts to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For Christmas parties, I arrange these Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe on a tiered dessert stand layered with festive greenery sprigs or cinnamon sticks. It makes the display feel extra special and invites people to dig in. I’ve also packaged them in clear cellophane bags tied with candy-cane striped ribbons as little gifts—always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. They stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, which is perfect since they usually disappear that fast!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, either baked or as dough balls. If freezing dough, shape and freeze on a tray before transferring to a bag. When you want fresh cookies, bake straight from frozen adding a minute or two to the baking time. It’s a lifesaver during busy holiday weeks.

Reheating

If you want to enjoy them warm, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds—or warm a few in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and melty sprinkle shimmer, just like the day you made them.

FAQs

Can I use any instant pudding flavor for this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe?

Absolutely! While vanilla pudding is classic and mild, chocolate or butterscotch pudding mixes work well and add a fun flavor twist. Just keep in mind that stronger pudding flavors will alter the cookie’s taste, so choose according to your preference.
Why do these cookies stay soft longer than regular cookies?

The instant pudding mix in the recipe adds moisture and improves the texture, helping the cookies stay soft and chewy days after baking. Plus, the combination of butter and shortening contributes to that tender mouthfeel.
Can I substitute sprinkles for other mix-ins?

You sure can! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries all make tasty alternatives. Just remember, the colorful sprinkles give this recipe its signature fun look, so think about whether you want to keep that festive vibe.
Is it okay to use salted butter instead of unsalted?

You can use salted butter if that’s what you have, but reduce or skip adding extra salt in the dry ingredients to prevent the cookies from tasting too salty.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color into the cookie dough?

The key is to fold the sprinkles in gently right at the end of mixing. Also, buy good quality sprinkles that don’t bleed easily—this keeps your cookies looking cheerful and colorful.

Final Thoughts

Making this Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday traditions because it’s simple and always yields crowd-pleasers. I hope when you try it, you get as much joy from baking and sharing them as I do. Trust me, these cookies bring smiles and a little sprinkle-filled magic every time. So grab your mixing bowl and festive sprinkles—it’s time to bake!

Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies Recipe