Festive Funfetti Cookies

The festive season calls for delightful treats, and what could be more joyful than a batch of homemade Christmas Confetti Cookies? Inspired by the irresistibly soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet confetti cookies from Insomnia Cookies, this recipe brings that beloved texture and flavor right into your holiday kitchen. Imagine biting into a buttery cookie loaded with vibrant red, white, and green sprinkles and rich white chocolate chips – a true celebration in every mouthful. These cookies are not just a dessert; they’re a miniature winter wonderland, designed to bring smiles and holiday cheer. Perfectly paired with a warm glass of milk or a mug of hot cocoa, these cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your holiday traditions, perhaps even convincing Santa to leave a few extra gifts under the tree!

Why These Christmas Confetti Cookies Are a Holiday Must-Have

There’s something truly magical about a cookie that perfectly balances a tender, chewy interior with slightly crisp edges, bursting with sweet flavor. These Christmas Confetti Cookies achieve just that, offering multiple reasons why they’ll be your go-to recipe this holiday season:

• A Spot-On Copycat with a Festive Twist: If you, like many, have a deep affection for Insomnia Cookies’ signature confetti cookies but lament their limited availability, this recipe is your dream come true. We’ve meticulously recreated the exact soft, chewy, and buttery texture that makes the originals so addictive. The only delightful adjustments? Swapping the classic rainbow sprinkles for a vibrant mix of red, white, and green holiday sprinkles and upgrading to rich white chocolate chips for an extra touch of seasonal decadence. The result is a homemade cookie that stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its bakery counterpart, infused with undeniable holiday spirit.
• Perfect for Holiday Gifting: The joy of the holidays lies in sharing, and these cookies are tailor-made for thoughtful gifts. Their beautiful appearance and irresistible taste make them ideal for friends, family, teachers, and coworkers. Imagine packaging a handful in elegant gift boxes, tying a few in cello bags with festive ribbons, or arranging them on a decorative platter. They’re a cost-effective, easy, and incredibly charming way to show appreciation. Always remember to check for any dietary restrictions or allergies your recipients might have, ensuring everyone can safely enjoy these delicious treats.
• Incredibly Versatile for Any Occasion: While we’ve designed these as Christmas Confetti Cookies, their base recipe is a blank canvas for year-round celebration. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Simply change the sprinkles and chocolate chips to match any holiday or event! Think pastel sprinkles for Easter or Mother’s Day, red and pink for Valentine’s Day, patriotic red, white, and blue for Memorial Day or July 4th, or spooky orange, purple, and black for Halloween. You can also experiment with different chip varieties: classic vanilla chips, rich milk or dark chocolate, nutty peanut butter chips, or sweet butterscotch. The possibilities are endless, making this a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
• The Ultimate Comfort Food: Beyond their festive appeal, these cookies offer pure comfort. The combination of sweet butter, a hint of vanilla, and the delightful crunch of sprinkles creates a nostalgic flavor profile that transports you back to childhood Christmases. They’re the perfect pick-me-up on a chilly winter day or a sweet reward after a long day of holiday preparations.

Baking with a Purpose: The Sweetest Season Cookie Exchange

This recipe is more than just a delicious treat; it’s a contribution to The Sweetest Season, an annual virtual cookie swap that unites food bloggers from across the globe. Co-hosted by Erin of The Speckled Palate and Susannah of Feast + West, this event takes place during the first week of December, bringing together a community of bakers to share innovative holiday cookie recipes for you to create, gift, and savor.

Crucially, The Sweetest Season has a heartfelt mission: to raise funds for Cookies 4 Kids’ Cancer. This highly respected 501(c)3 non-profit organization is dedicated to a cause close to many hearts: funding groundbreaking research for new, innovative, and less-toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Every cookie baked, every recipe shared, and every donation made helps bring hope to countless families battling this devastating disease.

Since its inception in 2008, Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has achieved remarkable milestones, granting nearly $18 million to pediatric cancer research. This significant funding has supported over 100 research grants at leading pediatric cancer centers nationwide. These grants have directly led to the development of over 35 new treatments that are currently available to children fighting cancer today, offering them better outcomes and a brighter future.

You can be a part of this vital mission! Please consider helping us raise money for this incredibly important cause. Click here to donate through our fundraising page. Your contribution has an even greater impact, as through the end of 2023, OXO will match every dollar raised for Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, up to an impressive $100,000. This means that any amount you donate will automatically double on our fundraising page, maximizing your generosity and helping twice as many children.

Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Confetti Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is entirely possible with a few insider tips:

• Mastering the Bake Time: When it comes to cookies, especially those intended to be soft and chewy, taking them out of the oven a little too early is always preferable to leaving them in too long. The residual heat from the baking sheet will continue to cook the cookies as they rest, allowing them to firm up without becoming dry or hard. Aim for cookies that look slightly underdone in the very center when you pull them out – their edges should be just lightly golden. This technique ensures a wonderfully tender and chewy texture, characteristic of perfect Christmas Confetti Cookies. Overbaked cookies lose their tenderness and can become crumbly or crunchy.
• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: This seemingly small detail makes a significant difference in your cookie dough. Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature before you begin mixing. Room temperature butter creams together with sugar more efficiently, creating a light, airy, and well-emulsified base. Cold ingredients, on the other hand, don’t combine as smoothly or quickly, increasing the likelihood of overmixing your dough. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to tougher, less tender cookies. Plan ahead by taking your butter and egg out of the fridge at least 30-60 minutes before you start baking.
• Two Convenient Freezer Options: Planning ahead or simply want to enjoy freshly baked cookies whenever the craving strikes? This recipe offers fantastic freezer-friendly solutions:
  • Option 1: Frozen Cookie Dough. Prepare the recipe as instructed through the step of forming the dough balls. Instead of baking, place the scooped dough balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and freeze them for about an hour, or until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe, airtight bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply transfer the desired number of dough balls to the refrigerator overnight to defrost, then bake according to the recipe instructions. This method allows for warm, fresh cookies with minimal effort.
  • Option 2: Fully-Baked and Frozen Cookies. Bake the Christmas Confetti Cookies completely as written in the recipe. Once baked, allow them to cool entirely on a wire rack. To prevent sticking, arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes. After they’re firm, transfer them to an airtight container or a food-safe freezer bag. They will keep well for up to 3 months. To serve, you can reheat them gently in a preheated oven (around 325°F for 5-7 minutes) until warmed through, or simply let them come to room temperature for a softer texture. This is perfect for impromptu gatherings or a quick sweet treat.

More Festive Holiday Baking Ideas

The holidays are the perfect time to experiment in the kitchen and fill your home with the inviting aromas of freshly baked goods. If you’re looking to expand your holiday baking repertoire, here are some other delicious recipes to try:

• Keto Peppermint Layer Brownies
• Fluffy Gluten-Free Gingerbread
• Keto Creme Brûlée
• Christmas Dessert Grazing Board
• Easy 4-Ingredient Cranberry White Chocolate Cookie Bars
• Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies
• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
• Easy Cranberry Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
• Cranberry Bliss Bars
• Gluten-Free Christmas Cookies with Homemade Icing
• Bacon Cookie Butter Cookies

Recipe By: Cheryl Malik

★★★★★

5 from 13 votes

Christmas Confetti Cookies

Soft, buttery, and delightfully festive, these treats are inspired by the chewy white chocolate chip confetti cookies at Insomnia Cookies, with a joyful Christmastime flair.

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Cool: 10 minutes

Total: 35 minutes

Cheryl Malik

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Yields: 24 cookies

Equipment

• Oven
• Large cookie sheet
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Stand mixer bowl or large mixing bowl
• Stand mixer or hand mixer
• Flat beater attachment for stand mixer or beater attachments for hand mixer
• Silicone spatula
• Large metal spoon or large wooden spoon
• #60 (1 tablespoon) cookie scoop or #40 (2 tablespoons) cookie scoop
• Spatula
• Wire cooling rack

Ingredients

For the Christmas Confetti Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon butter emulsion or butter extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (see Notes)
• ½ teaspoon fresh baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup holiday sprinkles
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar. Cream these ingredients together on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes fluffy, smooth, and very pale in color. Periodically pause the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a silicone spatula to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly blended. Be careful not to over-mix.
3. Once the butter and sugar mixture is fluffy and pale, stop the mixer. Crack 1 large egg directly into the mixing bowl, then add 2 tablespoons light corn syrup, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon butter emulsion (or butter extract). Mix these ingredients together on medium speed until they are just combined, ensuring a smooth, uniform wet mixture.
4. After the wet ingredients are combined, pause the mixer. Add 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon fresh baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt to the mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until a soft dough forms. It’s important to mix until just combined to avoid developing too much gluten.
5. When the dough has formed, remove the bowl from the stand mixer. Gently fold in ½ cup holiday sprinkles and ½ cup white chocolate chips using a large metal or wooden spoon. Mix until the sprinkles and chocolate chips are just incorporated throughout the dough. Again, avoid overmixing to maintain the tender texture of the cookies.
6. Using a #60 (1 tablespoon) cookie scoop or a #40 (2 tablespoons) cookie scoop, portion the dough. For a 2-tablespoon cookie, you’ll need two scoops from a #60 scoop or one scoop from a #40 scoop.
7. Roll each portion of dough between your palms to form a smooth ball. Place the dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
8. Continue this process with the remaining cookie dough, ensuring all dough has been rolled into balls and transferred to the cookie sheet. Leave approximately 2 inches of space between each dough ball to allow for proper spreading during baking.
9. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for 6 minutes initially, then begin checking for doneness. Continue baking as needed, checking frequently, until the cookies have flattened slightly and their edges are just lightly golden brown. Refer to the Notes section below for more guidance on bake time.
10. Once the edges of the cookies begin to show a light golden hue, carefully remove the cookie sheet from the oven and set it aside. Allow the cookies to rest on the hot cookie sheet for 5 minutes. This crucial resting period allows them to continue cooking gently and set up without overbaking.
11. After 5 minutes, use a spatula to carefully transfer the cookies from the cookie sheet to a wire cooling rack. Let the cookies cool completely on the rack. Serve and enjoy as desired!

Notes

• Butter: If you choose to use salted butter, remember to omit the ½ teaspoon of salt from the ingredient list to balance the flavor.
• Butter Emulsion/Extract: Butter emulsion or extract enhances the buttery flavor in these cookies. If you can’t find it in your local grocery store’s baking aisle, specialized craft stores like Michaels or Hobby Lobby often carry these baking flavorings.
• Spoon and Level Method for Flour: Accurate flour measurement is critical for cookie texture. To properly measure flour, do not scoop it directly from the bag with your measuring cup. Instead, use a spoon to lightly scoop the flour into the measuring cup until it overflows. Then, use the flat edge of a knife or a straight kitchen tool to level off the top, sweeping away any excess flour. This method prevents packing too much flour into your measurement, which can lead to dry, dense cookies.
• Bake Time Variations: Exact baking times can vary due to factors like your oven’s calibration, the type of baking sheet you use, and even your kitchen’s ambient temperature. As a general guideline, avoid baking these cookies for more than 10 minutes total. They will continue to bake and set up after being removed from the oven. However, you might need to adjust the bake time by 1-2 minutes, depending on your specific conditions. Look for lightly golden edges and a slightly soft center.
• Storage: Once your Christmas Confetti Cookies have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container. They will remain wonderfully fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to 4 days.
• Freezer Storage for Baked Cookies: For longer storage, fully baked and cooled cookies can be frozen. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes until firm. Once firm, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer-safe sealable bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating Frozen Cookies: To enjoy frozen baked cookies, remove the desired quantity from the freezer and place them on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 325° Fahrenheit for approximately 5 minutes, or until they are warmed through and soft. Serve immediately for that fresh-from-the-oven experience.

Approximate Nutrition Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 211 cal
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0.3 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sodium: 81 mg
Potassium: 36 mg
Total Carbs: 28 g
Fiber: 0.4 g
Sugar: 17 g
Net Carbs: 28 g
Vitamin A: 248 IU
Calcium: 16 mg
Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. The result will be the weight of one serving.