Go Back
Round sugar cookies topped with rainbow sprinkles in red, orange, yellow, green, and blue.

Buttery Sugar Cookies with Rainbow Sprinkles

Easy eggless sugar cookies made with butter, flour, and sugar. Ready in 41 minutes, yields 34 cookies at 90 calories each. Includes make-ahead rest time.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Rest Time 15 minutes
Total Time 41 minutes
Servings: 34 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup butter 227 g, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup + 3 tbsp granulated sugar 160 g, split
  • 2 cups + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour 255 g, spooned and leveled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract 4 g, optional but recommended
  • rainbow sprinkles or nonpareils optional but recommended

Method
 

  1. Set oven to 325°F (165°C). Prepare 2 large baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter with 2/3 cup (133 g) sugar until mixed. It may be slightly gritty - that's fine.
  3. Incorporate the flour and mix thoroughly, then mix in the vanilla, if using.
  4. Once the dough is mixed, take a small piece and squeeze it with your fingers. It should hold together easily and be soft, buttery, and smooth. If it seems crumbly, continue kneading a bit more.
  5. With a cookie scoop, form 1-inch balls, then knead and roll them between your palms until they are soft and smooth.
  6. Roll the balls gently in the remaining 3 tbsp (27 g) sugar to coat lightly; place on the baking sheets 2 inches apart.
  7. Flatten the balls by pressing with the bottom of a measuring cup or glass. If using, add nonpareils and press lightly again to adhere. The dough should be between 1/8-1/4 inch thick, specifically 3/16 inch. They will appear small in circumference, but will spread to a normal cookie size.
  8. Bake for 14-16 minutes or until just slightly golden on the edges and bottom.
  9. Take out of the oven and let sit on the baking sheets for at least 10-15 minutes (do not skip this step!). Then eat or move to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy!