Best Funfetti Birthday Cake Cookies 2024

Best Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe

Birthday cake cookies are a fun and festive treat that brings the flavor of a classic birthday cake into a cookie form. These cookies are known for their soft, chewy texture and are packed with colorful sprinkles and white chocolate chips.

The birthday cake cookies recipe typically starts with a base of flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar are creamed together until light and fluffy, then eggs and vanilla extract are added to enhance the classic cake flavor. Almond extract can also be used for an extra layer of flavor.

The white chocolate chips and sprinkles are folded into the dough, creating a funfetti Birthday cake cookies recipe like appearance. The dough is chilled to help the cookies maintain their shape during baking. Once baked, the cookies are slightly golden on the edges while remaining soft in the center.

These birthday cake cookies are perfect for celebrations, offering the delightful taste of birthday cake in a convenient cookie form. They can be made ahead of time and stored, making them a great option for parties and gatherings.

Related: Pink Birthday Cake, Cat Birthday Cakes

Ingredients for Birthday Cake Cookies

• 2 and 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 cup (180g) white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup (80g) rainbow sprinkles

Favorite Tools

1. Electric Mixer: Stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand-held electric mixer.
2. Cookie Scoop: To portion out evenly sized cookies (a 3-tablespoon size is ideal).
3. Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: To line baking sheets and prevent sticking.
4. Offset Spatula: For spreading frosting, if you choose to frost the cookies.
5. Cookie Cutters: If you want to shape your cookies into specific forms.

Instructions For Birthday Cake Cookies

• Prepare the Dough: Using a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and packed light brown sugar until the mixture is creamy and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes on medium-high speed.
• Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the room temperature eggs and vanilla extract until well combined and the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything mixes evenly.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking until thoroughly mixed.
• Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in the mixing bowl, mixing on low speed until just blended. To keep the cookies soft, avoid mixing too much.
• Fold in Sprinkles and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the rainbow sprinkles and white chocolate chips into the cookie dough using a spatula, ensuring they are evenly distributed without overworking the dough.
• Chill the Dough: Wrap the bowl with plastic wrap or place the dough in an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours. Chilling helps the dough firm up for easier handling and prevents excessive spreading during baking.

• Preheat the Oven: About 15 minutes before baking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place parchment paper or silicone baking mats on baking sheets.
• Shape the Cookies: Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie using a cookie scoop or spoon. Roll each portion of dough into a smooth ball using your hands.
• Coat in Sprinkles: Roll each dough ball in additional rainbow sprinkles to coat evenly, enhancing both appearance and texture.
• Place on Baking Sheets: Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball slightly with the palm of your hand to ensure even baking.
• Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and just beginning to turn golden brown. The centers should still be slightly soft to the touch.
• Cooling: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on the rack helps maintain their texture.
• Enjoy: Once fully cooled, serve and enjoy these delightful Birthday Cake Cookies with their soft, chewy texture and colorful appearance.

“These Birthday Cake Cookies are perfect for celebrations or any time you want a fun and tasty treat. Enjoy baking and sharing these delightful cookies with family and friends!”

Tips for Baking Perfect Birthday Cake Cookies

Making the perfect birthday cake cookies requires a few key techniques and considerations. Here are some detailed tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:

1. Measure Accurately: Accurate measurements are crucial in baking. Use a kitchen scale for precision, especially with flour, as too much can make the cookies dry. Fluff the flour with a spoon, lightly spoon it into your measuring cup, and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, as this can compact the flour and result in using too much.
2. Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter is essential for creaming with the sugars. If your butter is too cold, it won’t incorporate properly, and if it’s too warm, it can cause the dough to spread too much. To soften butter quickly, cut it into small pieces and let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
3. Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can develop too much gluten in the dough, leading to tough cookies. When adding the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few streaks of flour left, as they will incorporate during the folding of the sprinkles.
4. Use Quality Ingredients: High-quality vanilla extract and butter can make a significant difference in the flavor of your cookies. Pure vanilla extract provides a richer, more authentic taste compared to imitation vanilla.
5. Experiment with Flavors: While the classic vanilla and almond extracts provide a birthday cake flavor, you can experiment with other extracts like coconut, lemon, or even a bit of bourbon for a unique twist.

Soft Birthday Cake Cookies FAQ’S

Do I have to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling the dough is crucial for several reasons. It solidifies the fats in the dough, which helps prevent the birthday cake cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring they maintain their shape. Chilling also allows the flavors to develop and the flour to fully hydrate, resulting in a better texture and taste. Ideally, you should chill the dough for at least 1 hour, but you can also leave it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Can I use different types of chocolate chips?

Absolutely! You can substitute the white chocolate chips with any type of chocolate chips you prefer, such as semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate chips. Each type of chocolate will give the cookies a different flavor profile, so feel free to experiment based on your taste preferences. You could even mix different types of chocolate chips to create a more complex flavor.

What type of sprinkles should I use?

For best results, use rainbow jimmies, which are the rod-shaped sprinkles. They hold up well during baking and don’t bleed their colors into the dough. Avoid using nonpareils, the small round sprinkles, as they tend to bleed and can create a muddy appearance in the dough. If you prefer natural food colors, be aware that some natural sprinkles might bleed more than artificial ones, so test a small batch first if you’re unsure.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough ahead of time. Once the dough is prepared, you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. If you need to store it longer, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. To freeze, shape the dough into balls, place them on a baking sheet to freeze until solid, and then transfer the frozen dough balls to a resealable plastic bag or airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, you can bake the dough balls directly from the freezer. Just add a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Can I add nuts or other ingredients to the dough?

Yes, you can add your birthday cake cookies by adding nuts, dried fruit, or other mix-ins. Pecans, walnuts, and almonds are great choices for nuts, while dried cranberries, raisins, or coconut can add a unique twist. When adding these extras, mix them into the dough gently to avoid overmixing, which can affect the texture of the cookies. Try adding about 1/2 to 1 cup of extra mix-ins according to your taste.

Storage Tips for Birthday Cake Cookies

Room Temperature Storage

• Once completely cooled, place the cookies in an airtight container or cookie jar.
• Keep the cookies at room temperature in a cool, dry area, away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Properly stored, these cookies will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• To help maintain their texture, you can add a slice of bread to the container with the cookies. The bread helps absorb excess moisture, keeping the cookies soft.

Refrigerator Storage

• If you prefer storing them longer, or if your kitchen is warm, you can keep the cookies in the refrigerator.
• Place them in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag to prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods.
• Stored in the fridge, these birthday cake cookies can stay fresh for up to 1 week.
• Before serving, allow them to come to room temperature for the best taste and texture.

Freezer Storage

• To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
• Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the cookies are frozen solid, usually for about 1-2 hours.
• Once frozen solid on the baking sheet, transfer the cookies into a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag for long-term storage.
• Label the container with the date and store the cookies in the freezer. They should stay fresh for up to 3 months.
• Thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving. You can also reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to revive their freshness.

Maintaining Freshness

• To ensure the birthday cake cookies stay fresh, avoid storing them in areas with high humidity or temperature fluctuations.
• If you notice the cookies becoming stale, you can refresh them by placing them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 3-5 minutes. Allow them to cool before serving.

Tips for Serving

• For a special treat, warm the birthday cake cookies briefly in the microwave before serving. This enhances their softness and brings out their flavors.
• Serve with a glass of milk or your favorite hot beverage for a delightful snack or dessert.

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