Name: Christmas Cake Batter Cookies
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup packed light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons cake batter extract; 1 cup holiday sprinkles; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting); 5 cups powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon cake batter extract (for frosting); ¼ teaspoon salt (for frosting); 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream

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The holidays are a delightful time filled with the warmth of family gatherings, the twinkling of lights, and the sweet aroma of baked treats wafting through kitchens everywhere. Imagine biting into a soft, chewy cookie that blends the nostalgic flavors of cake batter with a festive twist of bright, colorful sprinkles. These Christmas Cake Batter Cookies not only look whimsical, but they also bring back wonderful memories of baking with my family during the holiday season. There’s something incredibly joyful about mixing together ingredients that transform into something magical and delicious—especially when they’re so easy to share with friends and loved ones. As you prepare for holiday celebrations, invite these cookies to your table; they’re sure to become a new tradition in your home!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Christmas Cake Batter Cookies

Let’s not wait—let’s get to baking these festive delights! You’ll love every bit of the process, from the first mix to the moment they emerge warm from the oven. Picture plopping those vibrant sprinkles into the dough and watching them melt slightly as they bake. You can practically hear the cheers from the crowd when they munch on these cookies! Thrilling to make and even more thrilling to eat, you’ll want to add Christmas Cake Batter Cookies to your holiday baking lineup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: In just about 30 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of baking, you’ll have a delicious batch of cookies ready to enjoy!
Irresistible Flavor: Each bite combines the nostalgia of cake batter with a buttery, chewy texture that’s hard to resist.
Eye-Catching Appeal: The festive sprinkles create a playful burst of color, making them perfect for holiday gatherings.
Flexible Serving: These cookies are enjoyable anytime—from a snack to a holiday dessert or even a cheerful breakfast treat.
Diet-Friendly Options: Looking for variations? You can swap out regular butter for dairy-free options and even make them vegan with some simple changes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

3 teaspoons baking powder: This gives the cookies their lift and soft texture. Double-check your baking powder is fresh for the best results.
1 teaspoon salt: A crucial ingredient that balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
4 cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of any cookie dough, giving structure while keeping them tender.
1 ½ cups unsalted butter, softened: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content, and softening it helps achieve that rich, creamy texture.
1 ¼ cup granulated sugar: This sweetener adds necessary sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s chewy texture.
¼ cup packed light brown sugar: A touch of molasses flavor from brown sugar deepens the sweetness and adds to the candy-like texture.
2 large eggs: They provide moisture and act as a binder, keeping your cookies together while giving them a soft bite.
2 teaspoons cake batter extract: This is the secret ingredient that will make your cookies taste just like cake batter! It’s often found in specialty baking sections.
1 cup holiday sprinkles: These vibrant sprinkles add festive cheer and a little crunch to your cookies, so don’t skip them!

For the frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This creates a creamy base for your frosting. Make sure it’s room temperature for easy blending.
5 cups powdered sugar: Gives sweetness and the structure needed for fluffy frosting. Don’t skimp on sifting to avoid lumps!
½ teaspoon cake batter extract: Use the same extract here to carry those scrumptious flavors through the frosting.
¼ teaspoon salt: Again, this enhances sweetness and rounds out the flavor.
2-4 tablespoons heavy cream: Adding cream helps achieve the perfect consistency for spreading or piping the frosting.

How to Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies

Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Your kitchen will smell fantastic as the cookies bake, so let’s get that oven ready!

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour. You want to ensure they are thoroughly mixed to avoid any pockets of flour in your dough. Set this aside for later use.

Whisk Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter along with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until it’s light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the cake batter extract. Mixing well not only aerates the butter but ensures a good blend of flavors.

Fold Together Gently: Now, gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture without overmixing. Mixing just until combined is key to achieving that soft, cake-like texture. Gently fold in the festive holiday sprinkles—this is where the fun takes place. Think colorful blips of color throughout your dough!

Chill and Scoop: For best results, chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes. This helps control spread while baking. Once chilled, use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to prevent them from merging together.

Bake Until Golden: Place the cookie sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden. The centers may look a tad undercooked, but they’ll firm up as they cool on the sheets—this is essential for that soft, chewy center you crave!

Make the Frosting: While your cookies cool, make your frosting by beating the softened butter in a bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, salt, cake batter extract, and just enough heavy cream to achieve a spreadable consistency. Pipe or spread this delight on your cooled cookies afterward.

Storing & Reheating

To keep your Christmas Cake Batter Cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to preserve them longer, you can refrigerate them for about two weeks or freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze, place in a single layer, wrap individually, and seal in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, allow them to thaw at room temperature and give them a quick pop in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to refresh their soft, chewy texture!

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Avoid Overmixing: Make sure to mix just until combined once you add the dry ingredients; overmixing can lead to tougher cookies.
Temperature is Key: Ensure your butter is softened but not melting; it should be cool to the touch yet pliable to create a creamy texture.
Timing Matters: Watch your cookies closely in the last minute of baking; they’ll go from perfectly golden to overcooked in no time!
Texture Troubles: If your cookies seem too dry, adding a tablespoon of heavy cream into the dough can help keep them moist.
Try Different Sprinkles: Don’t hesitate to get creative with sprinkle types; different shapes and colors can customize the look for any holiday or occasion.

These Christmas Cake Batter Cookies are not only a sweet treat but a wonderful way to share joy and festivities with family and friends. When you gather around the table, this recipe is certain to bring everyone together in a flurry of smiles and second helpings. As you embark on this holiday baking adventure, don’t hesitate to customize these cookies with your favorite flavors and decorations. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or share them with loved ones, I hope they bring warmth to your home this season. Happy baking!

Recipe FAQs

How do I make my cookies softer?

By slightly underbaking your cookies (removing them when they are just golden around the edges but still soft in the center), they will retain a softer, chewy texture. Also, ensuring you don’t overmix the dough can contribute to that delightful squishiness!

Can I freeze the dough before baking?

Absolutely! You can scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze the cookie dough balls before placing them in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, simply add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time from frozen.

What is cake batter extract, and can I substitute it?

Cake batter extract mimics the flavor of cake batter, giving your cookies that sweet taste. If you don’t have it, you can replace it with vanilla extract for a different but still delicious flavor profile, though the taste won’t be exactly the same.

How should I store leftover frosting?

If you have leftover frosting, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to one week. Simply allow it to come to room temperature before spreading it again or re-whipping to restore its creamy consistency.