Pudding Sprinkle Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats Everyone Will Love.

Saw some leftover pudding mix and remembered my mom’s old cookie tip. Ten minutes of prep and baking later, warm cookies full of colorful sprinkles were ready to dig in!

Emily Watson
Updated on Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:36:38 GMT
Some colorful cookies full of sprinkles stacked on a small white dish. Pin it
Some colorful cookies full of sprinkles stacked on a small white dish. | thefamilycooks.com

These Colorful Sprinkle Vanilla Pudding Cookies bring pure joy! They've got a tender middle with crispy edges and they're decorated with bright, fun sprinkles. They're just what you need for celebrations or whenever you're craving something sweet.

What Makes These Cookies Special

The secret pudding mix in these treats gives them an incredibly soft texture with rich vanilla taste. Want to kick it up a notch? Try a tiny bit of almond extract for amazing flavor. They won't go stale for several days, can be frozen for later, and taste exactly like cookies from fancy bakeries.

Ingredients List

  • Butter: 1 cup, softened but still cool
  • Sugar: 1 cup granulated white sugar
  • Eggs: 1 whole egg and 1 yolk
  • Vanilla: 1½ teaspoons
  • Almond Extract: ¼ teaspoon (optional)
  • Flour: 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • Pudding Mix: 1 box vanilla instant pudding
  • Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
  • Sprinkles: ½ cup, with extra for topping if desired

Easy Cooking Steps

Prep Area:
Line two baking sheets with parchment
Flour Tip:
Scoop flour with spoon into measuring cup and level off
Combine Dry Ingredients:
Mix flour, pudding powder, and baking soda together
Start Mixing:
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy for 2 minutes
Wet Ingredients:
Add egg and vanilla until well combined
Mix Together:
Gradually add dry mixture to wet ingredients
Colorful Touch:
Fold sprinkles in carefully
Form Cookies:
Shape dough into balls, roll in extra sprinkles if you'd like
Quick Freeze:
Chill balls in freezer for 20 minutes
Preheat:
Warm oven to 350°
Cook Time:
Bake for 12-13 minutes until edges turn golden
Rest Time:
Let cookies sit for 3 minutes before moving to cooling rack
Freshly baked cookies decorated with colorful sprinkles are arranged on a cooling rack. Pin it
Freshly baked cookies decorated with colorful sprinkles are arranged on a cooling rack. | thefamilycooks.com

Irresistible Cookie Magic

There's something truly wonderful about these cookies. Every bite gives you that perfect mix of soft chewiness inside and slight crispness outside, plus those happy little bursts of color from the sprinkles. They're guaranteed to brighten anyone's day, whether for a special occasion or just because.

The Pudding Mix Secret

The pudding mix works wonders in these cookies. It keeps the middle incredibly soft and packs in tons of vanilla goodness. For an extra flavor boost, don't skip the almond extract if you can help it - it really makes these cookies stand out.

Storage Tips

These treats stay moist for days when kept in an airtight container. To keep them soft even longer, toss in a slice of bread or a few marshmallows. Though let's be honest, they probably won't stick around long enough for that!

Freezer-Ready Dough

Prep ahead by making extra dough balls. Freeze them on a tray first, then drop them into a freezer bag. Whenever you want hot cookies, just bake them frozen - they'll need about one extra minute in the oven.

Perfect Homemade Presents

Looking for a thoughtful gift? These cookies won't disappoint. Pack them in a cute container or jar, and you've created a heartfelt present. They work great for birthday celebrations or as a simple pick-me-up for someone you care about.

A close-up of a plate stacked with colorful, sprinkle-covered cookies, with additional cookies and sprinkles scattered in the background. Pin it
A close-up of a plate stacked with colorful, sprinkle-covered cookies, with additional cookies and sprinkles scattered in the background. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Is fake vanilla fine to use?

Yes, it’s a good alternative. Although real vanilla gives a richer taste, the artificial kind still makes yummy cookies and saves a bit of cash.

→ No almond extract—help?

Don’t worry if you're out! Just double the amount of vanilla extract. The cookies will still taste great with a smooth, sweet vanilla flavor.

→ Do I need to chill it?

Chilling prevents too much spreading and helps shape the cookies, but skipping it is okay if you're in a hurry. The cookies might just be flatter and a little softer.

→ Can I prep them ahead?

Sure thing! Shape the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray, then store in containers or bags. Bake from frozen and just add an extra minute or two to the bake time.

→ Are dairy-free swaps possible?

Yes! Coconut oil can replace butter equally. It adds a hint of coconut flavor while keeping the cookies soft and delightful, minus the dairy.

Conclusion

Love this idea? Next time, try adding sprinkles to sugar cookies or whipping up pudding-flavored brownies. They're pantry staples turned into treats!

Pudding Sprinkle Cookies

Craving cookies but need speed?

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
12 Minutes
Total Time
27 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 18 cookies

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 sticks of soft butter (1 cup).
02 1 cup granulated sugar.
03 1 large egg and 1 extra yolk.
04 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
05 1/4 teaspoon almond essence.
06 2 cups all-purpose flour.
07 1 pack instant vanilla pudding mix.
08 1 teaspoon baking soda.
09 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles (plus another 1/4 cup if you like).

Instructions

Step 01

Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Measure out flour accurately.

Step 03

Combine the flour, baking soda, and pudding mix together.

Step 04

Whip the butter with sugar for about 2 minutes till fluffy.

Step 05

Beat in the egg and mix in both vanilla and almond flavor.

Step 06

Slowly add the dry stuff, one cup at a time, until the dough thickens.

Step 07

Gently fold the sprinkles into the dough.

Step 08

Spoon out large portions of the dough.

Step 09

Roll dough into balls and press extra sprinkles on if you want.

Step 10

Pop the dough balls in the freezer for about 20 minutes.

Step 11

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 12

Place the dough balls on the sheet with space between and bake for 12-13 minutes till edges turn golden.

Step 13

Leave cookies on the pan for 3 minutes before moving them to a rack to cool.

Step 14

Once cooled, keep cookies in an airtight container.

Notes

  1. Freeze dough if you'd rather bake later.
  2. Refrigerate overnight instead. Add an extra minute cooking time if baking cold.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheets.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Electric or hand mixer.
  • Large mixing bowl.
  • Sturdy mixing spoon.
  • Dough scoop.
  • Wire cooling rack.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy products.
  • Includes eggs.
  • Has wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 211
  • Total Fat: 11 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 26 g
  • Protein: 2 g