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Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies – Soft, Chewy & Perfectly Festive

There’s something magical about Christmas cookies — the colors, the aromas, the warmth, and the joy they bring to holiday kitchens everywhere. Among all the festive treats, Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies stand out as one of the softest, chewiest, and most delicious cookie recipes you can make for the holidays. These cookies are incredibly tender thanks to one special ingredient: instant pudding mix. This simple addition transforms ordinary cookie dough into a melt-in-your-mouth experience with unbeatable softness and long-lasting freshness. Imagine biting into a cookie that’s warm, buttery, sweet, and packed with cheerful holiday sprinkles. The texture is halfway between a soft sugar cookie and a chewy bakery-style treat, with the pudding mix giving them a fluffy, delicate crumb that makes them irresistible. They stay soft for days, making them perfect for cookie tins, school treats, Christmas parties, and dessert platters. These cookies are amazingly easy to make and require no chilling time — so you can whip up a batch even when your holiday schedule is packed. Whether you’re baking with kids, preparing gifts, or filling your Christmas cookie tray, these Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Their festive colors, soft centers, and classic sugar-cookie flavor make them one of the most joyful Christmas desserts you’ll bake this season. Let’s dive into the full recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 26 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 2 ¼ cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup Unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 Large egg
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
Special Ingredient
  • 1 box Instant vanilla pudding mix 3.4 oz – NOT prepared
  • This is what makes the cookies extra soft and chewy.
Add-ins
  • 1 cup Christmas sprinkles red, green & white
  • ½ cup White chocolate chips optional but delicious

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

  • 🍳

    Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

    View ↗
  • ⚡

    Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

    View ↗
  • 🔥

    CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

    View ↗

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking trays
  • Parchment paper or silicone mats
  • Cookie scoop
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

Step 1: Preheat the Oven
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking trays with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together:
  2. Flour
  3. Baking soda
  4. Salt
  5. Set aside.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
  1. In a large bowl, beat together:
  2. Softened butter
  3. Granulated sugar
  4. Mix on medium speed for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
  5. Creaming helps the cookies bake evenly and become soft and airy.
Step 4: Add Egg, Vanilla & Pudding Mix
  1. Add:
  2. Egg
  3. Vanilla extract
  4. Instant vanilla pudding mix
  5. Beat until fully incorporated.
  6. The pudding mix will create a thick, creamy base for your cookie dough.
Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
  1. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture.
  2. Mix on low just until combined — do not overmix.
  3. Overmixing can make the cookies dense instead of soft.
Step 6: Fold in Sprinkles (and Chips if Using)
  1. Use a silicone spatula to gently fold in:
  2. Christmas sprinkles
  3. White chocolate chips (optional)
  4. Be gentle — overmixing can break the sprinkles and discolor the dough.
Step 7: Scoop the Dough
  1. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form dough balls (about 1–1½ tablespoons each).
  2. Place them on your baking tray, leaving a little room for spreading.
Step 8: Bake
  1. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers appear slightly soft.
  2. Don’t overbake — pudding cookies stay soft when baked lightly.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
  1. Allow the cookies to rest on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  2. Enjoy warm or store for later — they stay soft for days!

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
They remain soft thanks to the pudding mix.
Refrigerator
Not necessary, but can extend freshness to 7–8 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or raw dough balls for up to 2 months.
Bake frozen dough for an extra 1–2 minutes.
Reheating
Warm cookies in the microwave for 8–10 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
🥄 Variations
1. Chocolate Chip Christmas Pudding Cookies
Swap sprinkles for chocolate chips or mix both together.
2. Red & Green Swirl Cookies
Add a tiny bit of gel food coloring to swirl festive colors through the dough.
3. Peppermint Crunch Cookies
Replace some sprinkles with crushed candy canes.
4. White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
Use dried cranberries and white chocolate chips for a gourmet Christmas twist.
5. Sugar Cookie Snowball Pudding Cookies
Roll dough balls in sugar before baking for a frosty snowball look.
6. Gingerbread Pudding Cookies
Add ½ teaspoon each of cinnamon and ginger to the dough.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why use instant pudding mix?
It gives the cookies an ultra-soft, chewy, pillowy texture that lasts for days.
2. Can I use any flavor of pudding mix?
Yes! Vanilla, white chocolate, or even cheesecake pudding mix works great.
3. Can these cookies be made without a mixer?
Yes — use a whisk for the wet ingredients and a spatula for folding.
4. Why did my cookies turn flat?
Butter was too soft, dough was overmixed, or oven was too hot.
5. Can I chill the dough?
You can, but it’s not required. Chilling makes thicker cookies.
6. Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter gives the best texture and flavor; margarine may make them softer but oilier.
7. What sprinkles work best?
Jimmies (long sprinkles) work best because they don’t melt or bleed.
8. Can I add nuts?
Yes — pecans or walnuts add a festive crunch.
9. Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour and GF pudding mix.
10. How do I keep cookies soft?
Store with a slice of bread or a marshmallow to preserve moisture.
🏁 Conclusion
These Christmas Sprinkle Pudding Cookies are everything holiday baking should be — colorful, soft, cheerful, and incredibly delicious. The instant pudding mix makes them beautifully tender, while the sprinkles add a burst of festive charm to every bite. They’re quick to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for Christmas cookie swaps, holiday parties, family gatherings, and homemade gifts.
Whether you bake them for guests, for content creation, or simply to enjoy at home with a warm drink, these cookies will bring Christmas joy into your kitchen. With their soft centers, buttery edges, and festive sprinkles, they’re guaranteed to become a holiday favorite year after year.
Bake a batch, share the love, and enjoy the sweetness of the season — one sprinkle-filled bite at a time!