Name: Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 cups (492g) all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups (339g) unsalted butter, softened; 1 ¼ cup (250g) granulated sugar; ¼ cup (50g) packed light brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 2 teaspoons cake batter extract; 1 cup holiday sprinkles; 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened; 5 cups (575g) powdered sugar; ½ teaspoon cake batter extract; ¼ teaspoon salt; 2-4 tablespoons heavy cream

There’s nothing quite like the festive magic packed into this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe—they’re soft, buttery, and sprinkled with holiday cheer. Baking these cookies feels like wrapping up all the coziness of the season in one irresistible bite.

The image shows several cookies with two main layers. The bottom layer is a soft cookie base with colorful red, green, and blue sprinkles mixed inside, giving it a festive look. On top of the cookie base, there is a thick swirl of smooth white frosting, piped in a circular pattern. The frosting is decorated with red and green sprinkles scattered over the top. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I tried a Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe—I was instantly hooked by their soft texture and festive sprinkle burst in every bite. Making them yourself is easier than you think, and the homemade frosting? Game changer.

Fun and Festive: Colorful holiday sprinkles add a playful and joyful touch that instantly brightens your cookie jar.
Soft, Tender Texture: Thanks to the cake batter extract and balanced flour, these cookies stay delightfully soft instead of crunchy.
Copycat Perfection: If you love the famous Crumbl version, this homemade recipe tastes even better and lets you control the ingredients.
Customizable Frosting: You can swirl on frosting just like the pros or simply spread it on for everyday indulgence.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a key role in creating that unforgettable Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe experience — from the fluffy texture to that rich, buttery flavor topped with a festive burst of sprinkles. Here’s why I love each one and what to watch out for when shopping.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small heap of granulated sugar, a small heap of packed light brown sugar, two whole uncracked brown eggs, two large cubes of unsalted butter softened, a small white bowl filled with colorful holiday sprinkles, a small white bowl with powdered sugar, a tiny white bowl with a clear light yellow liquid representing cake batter extract, a tiny white bowl with a pinch of salt, a tiny white bowl with heavy cream, and a small heap of baking powder all arranged symmetrically on a white ceramic plate and simple white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Baking powder: This leavens the cookies just enough to keep them soft and cakey without being too puffy.
Salt: Just a hint to balance the sweetness and bring out the depth of flavor.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of any cookie — use fresh, good-quality flour for best results.
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and a rich buttery taste.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cookie's delicate crisp edges.
Light brown sugar: Gives the cookies a little extra moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the tender crumb.
Cake batter extract: The secret superstar! It infuses that unmistakable cake-like flavor that makes these cookies so addictive.
Holiday sprinkles: Use good-quality sprinkles to avoid color bleed and get those bright festive pops.
Powdered sugar: For the frosting — super fine so your frosting will be ultra smooth and fluffy.
Heavy cream: Adds the perfect silky texture and helps the frosting spread beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my absolute favorite things about this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether it’s adding your own favorite sprinkles or trying a dairy-free frosting swap, there’s room to make it truly yours.

Variation: I once swapped vanilla extract for cake batter extract just to see how it would change the flavor, and honestly, the cake batter extract gives it that magical twist you don’t want to miss.
Dairy-free option: Use dairy-free butter and coconut cream for the frosting to keep it creamy without the dairy.
Frosting alternative: For a lighter frosting, you can blend cream cheese with powdered sugar and cake batter extract — just as tasty and a nice tangy balance.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

A top-down view of a metal mixing bowl filled halfway with creamy cookie dough that has green and red sprinkles mixed throughout. The dough has a slightly rough texture with specks of flour on some parts. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with soft, natural lighting highlighting the texture of the dough and the shiny metal of the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients First

I like to whisk together the baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour in a medium bowl before doing anything else. It’s a small step that ensures your cookies rise evenly and have a consistent texture, preventing those weird flour pockets or uneven bakes.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Until Fluffy

Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, I beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars on low speed. This takes about 3-4 minutes until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Don’t skip this! It helps create that melt-in-your-mouth crumb in the final cookie.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Cake Batter Extract

Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add the cake batter extract. This is where the dough starts to smell like your favorite birthday cake, and it really sets these cookies apart from the everyday sugar cookie.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients Gently

Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing just until the batter comes together smoothly. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure everything is evenly mixed but don’t overmix — that can make cookies tough instead of tender.

Step 5: Fold in the Sprinkles

Carefully stir in the holiday sprinkles so they’re evenly distributed but without causing the colors to bleed too much. This step brings that festive vibe right into your dough.

Step 6: Shape and Bake

Scoop 2 to 3 tablespoon-sized balls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Give them some space (about 3-4 inches apart), then gently press each with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly. Bake for 13-16 minutes (for 2-tablespoon size), or 18-20 minutes for larger cookies. The edges will turn a lovely light golden, but the tops should lose their glossy sheen—this signals they’re ready. Let them cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Whip Up the Dreamy Frosting

Beat softened butter until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar until the texture becomes crumbly. Mix in salt and cake batter extract, then pour in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream, mixing until fluffy and light. Add more cream a little at a time if needed until it’s perfect for spreading or piping.

Step 8: Decorate and Enjoy

I love using a piping bag with a round tip to swirl the frosting like the bakery-style cookies. Finish with extra sprinkles on top for even more festive fun—and then, well... taste one and savor the joy.

Top Tip

From my many batches and happy experiments, a few handy tips can really make a difference when baking this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe.

Use room temperature butter: It mixes in more smoothly and traps air better for fluffier cookies.
Don’t overmix your dough: Once you add the flour, stop mixing as soon as it comes together to keep cookies soft and tender.
Flatten the cookie dough balls gently: This ensures even baking and a perfect soft crumb without raw centers.
Cool completely before frosting: Otherwise, your frosting might melt or slide off — patience really pays here!

How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Cake Batter Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick to classic holiday-colored sprinkles—red, green, white, and gold—because they make these cookies feel extra special and festive. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of edible glitter for parties, which is a fun crowd-pleaser.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced chai or hot cocoa. I also love serving them alongside a platter of fresh fruit and nuts for a balanced holiday snack spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these cookies in the shape of a Christmas tree on a platter, adding extra frosting “ornaments” piped on top. Wrapping a few in clear cello bags tied with ribbon also makes for adorable edible gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Cake Batter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully — once frosted, I place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They keep well for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, pop the cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm gently in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes. The frosting softens just enough, and the cookie becomes freshly baked-soft again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Expect slightly different texture but just as delicious.

What is cake batter extract, and where can I find it?

Cake batter extract is a flavoring that mimics the rich, sweet taste of cake batter, different from vanilla extract. You can find it online or in specialty baking stores, and it’s crucial for capturing that classic Christmas Cake Batter Cookies flavor.

How do I prevent my sprinkles from bleeding color into the cookie dough?

To avoid bleeding, fold sprinkles in at the end of mixing and be gentle to not overwork the dough. Using quality sprinkles labeled as non-bleeding also helps keep those vibrant colors intact.

Can I bake these cookies without frosting?

Definitely! The cookies are delicious on their own. Frosting adds sweetness and creaminess, but skipping it still gives you a moist, flavorful cookie perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee.

Final Thoughts

These Christmas Cake Batter Cookies have become my go-to holiday treat — they're nostalgic, delightfully soft, and packed with festive fun. Baking them with you feels just like sitting down together on a chilly winter morning, sharing stories over warm batter and sweet frosting. I can’t recommend this recipe enough if you want to fill your kitchen with joy this season.