Get ready to capture the pure joy of a birthday party in a single bite! These Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies are everything you love about classic funfetti cake—soft, chewy, and bursting with colorful sprinkles—all wrapped up in an incredibly easy-to-make cookie. This recipe delivers that unmistakable cake batter flavor from scratch, creating a treat that’s perfect for celebrations, bake sales, or simply brightening up your day. Forget the box mix; this is the only funfetti cookie recipe you’ll ever need.
We’re ditching the shortcuts to create a cookie with a richer, more buttery flavor and a perfectly soft, chewy texture that lasts for days. They are simple, festive, and guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults.
Why This is the Best Funfetti Cookie Recipe
There are many funfetti cookie recipes out there, but this one stands out for its superior texture and authentic cake batter taste. Here’s why you’ll fall in love:
Perfectly Soft & Chewy: These cookies have a delightful texture with slightly crisp edges and a soft, chewy center that melts in your mouth.
Authentic Cake Batter Flavor: By using a combination of butter, vanilla, and a hint of almond extract, we create a genuine cake batter taste without any artificial aftertaste from a mix.
Visually Stunning: Packed with vibrant rainbow sprinkles, these cookies look as good as they taste. They are the ultimate party cookie!
Simple & Foolproof: The instructions are straightforward, making this a great recipe for bakers of all skill levels.
The Secret to That “Cake Batter” Flavor
The magic of that nostalgic cake batter flavor comes from a few key ingredients working in harmony. It starts with creamed butter and sugar, which creates a light, aerated base. High-quality pure vanilla extract is non-negotiable, but the true secret weapon is a subtle touch of almond extract. This combination mimics the flavor profile of a classic yellow or white cake batter, giving the cookies their signature taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookies.
Baking Soda & Cream of Tartar: These leavening agents give the cookies a slight lift and that classic chewy texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness.
Unsalted Butter: Make sure it’s at room temperature for proper creaming.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: A mix of both sugars creates the perfect balance of sweetness, moisture, and chewiness.
Egg: Binds the ingredients together.
Vanilla & Almond Extract: The power duo for that authentic cake batter flavor.
Rainbow Sprinkles (Jimmies): The star of the show! Use jimmies, not nonpareils, as they are less likely to bleed their color into the dough.
For a different but equally delicious treat, check out these Lemon Sugar Cookies.
Fresh from the oven and ready to be devoured!
How to Make Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies Step-by-Step
Making these cookies is a breeze. Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.
Prep Your Station: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set it aside for later.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl using a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer, beat the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and the vanilla and almond extracts until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
Combine Wet and Dry: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined—be careful not to overmix!
Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with a spatula. The dough will be soft.
Scoop and Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. For a bakery-style look, you can gently press a few extra sprinkles onto the tops of the dough balls.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The centers should still look soft and slightly underbaked. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Perfectly Soft & Chewy Cookies
Want to guarantee your Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies come out perfectly every time? Follow these expert tips.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Your butter and egg should be at room temperature. This helps them incorporate smoothly, creating a uniform, airy dough.
Do Not Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix only until it’s just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft ones.
Chill the Dough (Optional): If your kitchen is warm, or if you want thicker cookies that spread less, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can make a big difference.
Don’t Overbake: The key to a soft center is to pull the cookies from the oven when they still look a little soft in the middle. They will continue to bake on the hot pan.
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for experimentation. Here are a few ideas:
White Chocolate Chips: Add 1 cup of white chocolate chips along with the sprinkles for an extra layer of creamy sweetness.
Different Sprinkles: Customize the cookies for holidays or special occasions by using different colored or shaped sprinkles.
Cookie Sandwiches: Sandwich two cooled cookies together with a layer of vanilla buttercream frosting for an indulgent dessert.
Storing Your Funfetti Cookies
To keep your cookies tasting fresh and soft, proper storage is key.
Room Temperature: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For extra softness, add a slice of bread to the container.
Freezing Baked Cookies: Place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.
Freezing Dough: Scoop the cookie dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from the freezer; just add 1-2 minutes to the baking time. This is perfect for those times you want just one or two fresh cookies! For more baking inspiration, explore our collection of year-round baking recipes.
Chilling the dough is optional but recommended for thicker cookies that spread less. If you’re short on time, you can bake them right away, but for best results, a 30-minute chill works wonders.
This is a from-scratch recipe designed to taste better than a box mix. While you can make cookies with cake mix, you would need a different recipe that adjusts the other ingredients accordingly.
To prevent spreading, make sure your butter is at room temperature but not melted. Chilling the dough before baking is also a very effective way to control spread and create a thicker cookie.
The best sprinkles to use are rainbow jimmies (the long, skinny ones). They hold their shape and color well during baking. Avoid using nonpareils (the tiny balls) as they tend to bleed their color into the dough.
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For a pro tip, add a slice of bread to the container; it will help keep the cookies extra soft.
Share Your Creations!
I hope you love this Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies recipe as much as I do! There’s nothing better than sharing a batch of warm, colorful cookies with people you love. If you make them, I’d be thrilled to see! Leave a comment below with your thoughts or tag me on Pinterest. Happy baking!
You can't go wrong with these perfectly soft Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies!
Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies Recipe
FL Recipes
Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies (Soft & Chewy Recipe!)
Capture the joy of a birthday party with these incredibly soft and chewy Funfetti Cake Batter Cookies! This easy from-scratch recipe delivers authentic cake batter flavor and is packed with colorful sprinkles, making it the perfect festive treat.
1cuprainbow sprinkles (jimmies)plus more for topping
Equipment
2 Baking Sheets
1 Electric mixer (stand or hand)
Mixing Bowls
Method
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until just combined.
With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles with a spatula.
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough about 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Top with a few extra sprinkles if desired.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the centers are still soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Calories: 145kcalProtein: 1.5gFat: 7gFiber: 0.5g
Notes
Tip 1: For thicker cookies, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking. Tip 2: Use jimmie-style sprinkles. Nonpareils (the little balls) are more likely to bleed their color throughout the dough. Tip 3: Do not overbake! Pulling them out when the centers are still soft is the key to a chewy texture.
Keyword cake batter cookies,funfetti cookies,sprinkle cookies
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
