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

Nothing says holiday magic quite like the cheerful burst of sprinkles and that unmistakable sweet scent wafting through the kitchen. I’m excited to share my favorite Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe—they’re soft, buttery, and topped with that dreamy cake batter frosting that makes every bite feel like a festive celebration. You’re going to love how easy and fun these cookies are to make!

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 have to admit, these Christmas Cake Batter Cookies have quickly become a holiday staple in my house. Their bright sprinkles and rich frosting make them a real showstopper, but what truly wins me over is their soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture—plus, making them feels like a fun tradition.

Authentic Cake Batter Flavor: The secret cake batter extract takes these cookies to a whole new festive level—you’ll swear they came straight from a bakery.
Soft & Chewy Texture: Perfectly tender centers with just a hint of crisp edges, these cookies hit that cozy sweet spot.
Fun & Festive Sprinkles: Holiday sprinkles mixed right into the dough and topping bring out that joyful Christmas vibe.
Buttercream Frosting Finish: The luscious, fluffy frosting adds the perfect balance of sweetness and texture.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe has its role—from creating that tender crumb to delivering the festive look and flavor. I always recommend using real unsalted butter and fresh eggs for the best taste and texture.

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: Provides just the right lift so your cookies are soft but not cakey.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
All-purpose flour: The base for structure; be sure to measure accurately for consistent results.
Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps achieve that tender, melt-in-your-mouth feel.
Granulated and light brown sugar: A combo that gives sweetness plus slight caramel notes from the brown sugar.
Eggs: Bind all ingredients while adding moisture and richness.
Cake batter extract: The star flavoring here—grab it online or at specialty stores to nail that nostalgic cake batter taste.
Holiday sprinkles: For festive color and a bit of crunchy contrast in every bite.
Powdered sugar (for frosting): Creates a smooth, silky buttercream that spreads like a dream.
Heavy cream: Helps achieve the perfect frosting consistency—light and fluffy but spreadable.

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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

I love how this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe invites creativity. I often tweak the sprinkles or add a pinch of cinnamon for a little warmth. Don’t be afraid to make these yours—half the fun of baking is experimenting!

Variation: One year, I swapped the sprinkles for mini chocolate chips—still delicious and perfect for those who prefer less sugar crunch.
Dietary Modifications: You can try vegan butter and flax eggs to make a plant-based version; texture will be slightly different but still tasty.
Seasonal Changes: Swap in orange zest and dark chocolate chunks for a winter twist beyond Christmas.

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: Gather & Prep Your Ingredients

I always start by making sure my butter is softened but not melted—that’s the secret to the perfect texture here. While the oven heats to 350°F, I line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to keep the bottoms from browning too much.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Together

Whisk the baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour in a bowl until evenly combined. This helps distribute the leavening so your cookies bake evenly, and you won’t get pockets of salt or powder later.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars on low until fluffy—usually about 3 minutes. This step traps air and creates a lovely lightness in the dough, it’s worth taking your time here.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Cake Batter Extract

Crack in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the cake batter extract. This fragrant extract really sets the flavor apart—don’t skip it! Beat on medium speed until everything is well combined and smooth.

Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients, Then Sprinkles

Slowly add the flour mixture and stir just until the dough comes together—it should be soft, not stiff. Scrape down the sides to ensure even mixing. Finally, gently fold in the colorful holiday sprinkles for that classic Christmas look!

Step 6: Shape and Bake Your Cookies

Scoop out 2 to 3 tablespoon balls of dough and space them about 3 to 4 inches apart on your lined cookie sheet. Press each ball lightly with the bottom of a glass to flatten—this helps them bake up evenly and get those cute little edges.

Bake 13-16 minutes if you go with smaller scoops, or 18-20 minutes for larger cookies. Watch for edges turning light golden and tops losing their glossy sheen—don’t overbake or they’ll lose that softness!

Step 7: Make and Frost with Cake Batter Buttercream

While cookies cool completely, whip up the frosting by beating butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then salt and cake batter extract. Mix in 2 tablespoons heavy cream, continuing until the frosting is light and fluffy—add more cream if it’s too stiff.

Use a pastry bag with a round tip if you want that bakery-style spiral, then top with extra sprinkles for maximum festive flair.

Top Tip

From my years of baking these Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe, I’ve learned that little tweaks make a big difference—especially with timing and temperature. Here are my best tips to nail them every time:

Butter Temperature Matters: Too soft and the dough spreads too much; too cold and it won’t cream properly. Room temp butter is your friend here.
Don’t Overmix: Once the flour goes in, mix only until combined to keep cookies tender, not tough.
Flatten Gently: Pressing the dough balls evenly helps the cookies bake uniformly and gives that lovely flat cookie shape.
Cooling is Key Before Frosting: Frost only when cookies are fully cooled to avoid frosting melting into a mess.

How to Serve Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe

Christmas Cake Batter Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a fan of adding a few extra festive sprinkles on top of the frosting right before serving—it brings such a joyful look and a little crunch. Sometimes I toss a tiny pinch of edible glitter on mine when serving at parties for that extra sparkle effect.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate or a spiced apple cider—something cozy to complement the sweet treat. I’ve also served them alongside a platter of fresh fruit and nuts for a balanced holiday dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

When I’m hosting holiday gatherings, I love arranging these cookies on a decorative cake stand, adding cinnamon sticks, pine sprigs, and mini ornaments to the display. For gifting, stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with red and green ribbons—it makes a beautiful homemade present.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Christmas Cake Batter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for about three days, but honestly, they don’t last that long in my house because everyone loves them!

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully. I freeze them unfrosted in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. When I’m ready to enjoy, I frost them after thawing for the best texture and flavor. You can also freeze frosted cookies, but I find the frosting can get a bit soft.

Reheating

To refresh the cookies, I gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F) for just a few minutes or zap them briefly in the microwave. Just a little warmth brings back that fresh-out-of-the-oven softness without melting the frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of cake batter extract?

While regular vanilla extract will still taste good, cake batter extract gives this Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe its signature nostalgic flavor that’s hard to replicate. If you can’t find cake batter extract, consider adding a tiny bit of almond extract along with vanilla for a similar effect.

How do I prevent these cookies from spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened but not melted, and don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added. Also, chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can help controls spreading for thicker cookies.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour blend. Just be sure your leavening ingredients (baking powder) are gluten-free. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious and festive.

What’s the best way to frost the cookies neatly?

I recommend using a pastry bag fitted with a round tip to pipe the frosting in a spiral—this gives that professional bakery look and keeps the frosting even. If you don’t have a pastry bag, a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off works great, too!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Cake Batter Cookies Recipe has been a joy to bake with my family year after year, turning simple moments into sweet memories. Once you make these, I’m sure you’ll keep coming back to this recipe season after season—it’s just that good! I hope you enjoy baking and sharing these festive cookies as much as I do. Happy holidays and happy baking!