Baking in October just hits differently. The oven warms the kitchen, the sweet aroma of vanilla and sugar fills the air, and suddenly it feels like Halloween has officially arrived. That’s where Halloween Sprinkle Cookies come in—a playful, eye-catching treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Each soft, buttery cookie gets rolled in a shower of orange, black, and purple sprinkles, turning a simple sugar cookie into a spooky-cute bite of holiday magic.
Whether you’re prepping snacks for a classroom party, baking for trick-or-treaters, or just want a fun weekend baking project with the kids, this recipe guarantees smiles. The best part? They’re ridiculously simple—no chilling, no complicated steps, just pure, chewy cookie goodness dressed up for Halloween.
Let’s dig into how to whip up these festive gems, plus explore a few fun twists, storage tips, and answers to common baking questions.
Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Halloween sprinkles orange and black jimmies or nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually stir dry ingredients into the wet mixture to form a sticky dough.
- Scoop dough, roll into balls, and coat each ball in Halloween sprinkles, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place 8 cookies per baking sheet, allowing space to spread. Bake for 10 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft.
- Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before storing.
Notes
Ingredients & Substitutions
The beauty of Halloween Sprinkle Cookies lies in their simplicity. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and how you can tweak them:
- Butter: Unsalted, softened to room temperature for maximum creaminess. If salted butter is what you have, just reduce the added salt slightly.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar keeps the cookies light in color and adds sweetness without heaviness.
- Eggs: They bind the dough and keep the cookies tender. Room temperature eggs mix in more smoothly.
- Vanilla Extract: A must-have for that cozy, bakery-style flavor.
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base, but you could experiment with a gluten-free blend if needed.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cookies just enough lift.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Halloween Sprinkles: Orange and black jimmies or nonpareils for the spooky vibe. Want to mix it up? Add purple or green sprinkles for extra flair.
How to Make Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
Here’s the step-by-step process for making these cookies picture-perfect:
Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and keep the bottoms golden.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy—about 2 minutes. This step is key for getting that soft, tender texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs & Vanilla
Mix in the eggs and vanilla until smooth. This creates the base of your cookie dough.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
Step 5: Roll in Sprinkles
Scoop dough with a cookie scoop or spoon. Roll each portion into a ball, then coat generously in Halloween sprinkles. Press gently to make sure they stick.
Step 6: Bake
Place 8 cookies per baking sheet (they spread!) and bake for 10 minutes until edges are set and centers are soft. Don’t overbake—these are meant to be chewy.
Step 7: Cool
Let cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. They’ll firm up a little as they rest.
Recipe Card: Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
Soft, buttery sugar cookies rolled in festive Halloween sprinkles—perfect for parties, school events, or a spooky October night in.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup orange and black sprinkles
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
- Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until combined. Dough will be sticky.
- Scoop dough, roll into balls, and coat in Halloween sprinkles.
- Place 8 cookies per sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Cool on baking sheet before storing.
Yields: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 15 min | Bake Time: 10 min | Total: 25 min
Calories: ~150 kcal per cookie
Variations & Fun Twists
- Monster Mash Cookies: Mix in candy eyes with the sprinkles for a silly monster vibe.
- Chocolate Chip Upgrade: Stir in ½ cup of mini chocolate chips for a chocolate boost.
- Glitter Magic: Use edible glitter dust on top of sprinkles for an extra sparkle.
- Holiday Swap: After Halloween, use red and green sprinkles for Christmas or pastel sprinkles for Easter.
How to Store Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh but store well:
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for 2–3 days.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze baked cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Freeze unbaked dough balls (without sprinkles) and roll in sprinkles just before baking.
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
- Quick and easy—ready in under 30 minutes.
- Festive and fun for kids (they’ll love rolling the dough in sprinkles).
- Soft, chewy centers with slightly crisp edges.
- Customizable for any holiday by changing sprinkle colors.
FAQs About Halloween Sprinkle Cookies
Can I use different types of sprinkles?
Absolutely! Traditional jimmies (the long, thin sprinkles) are the easiest because they stick to dough without melting. Nonpareils (tiny round balls) add crunch and color but may roll off more easily during baking. Confetti sprinkles (flat discs) create a bold look but can sometimes melt into the dough. One caution: avoid large candy-coated sprinkles or pearlized sugar balls, as they may burn or become too hard when baked. For the best texture, stick with classic jimmies or nonpareils in orange, black, purple, and white for that ultimate Halloween vibe.
Why are my cookies flat?
Flat cookies can happen for a few reasons:
Butter too soft or melted: Butter should be softened but not greasy. If it looks shiny or starts to melt, your dough will spread too much.
Too little flour: If you scoop flour loosely, you may not have enough. Always spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off.
Overmixing: Be gentle once the flour goes in—overmixing can cause cookies to collapse.
Pro tip: If you want thicker cookies, chill the dough balls for 15–20 minutes before rolling them in sprinkles and baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, this recipe doubles beautifully! Just remember that cookies need room to spread on the baking sheet. Bake in batches rather than crowding them together. Doubling also means you’ll get around 48 cookies—perfect for classroom parties or Halloween gatherings. If doubling, keep an eye on bake time, as your oven may run hotter with multiple trays.
How do I make them gluten-free?
It’s simple! Swap the all-purpose flour for a high-quality cup-for-cup gluten-free blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum—it helps mimic the structure gluten provides, so your cookies won’t crumble. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill or King Arthur measure well. Texture-wise, gluten-free versions may be slightly more delicate, so let them cool fully on the tray before moving.
Can I add food coloring to the dough?
Yes! Gel food coloring works best because it adds vibrant color without watering down the dough. A few drops of orange or purple turn your cookie base into a festive backdrop for the sprinkles. Liquid food coloring is less ideal because it may make the dough sticky. For an extra spooky twist, divide the dough in half and color one orange and one purple—then swirl them together before rolling in sprinkles.
What can I serve with these cookies?
These cookies shine on their own, but they’re even better with a few seasonal pairings:
Hot Cocoa or Pumpkin Spice Latte: The warm spices and creamy drinks balance the sweetness.
Halloween Dessert Table: Add them next to a spooky trifle, candy corn, or caramel apples.
Pumpkin Trifle: Layers of pumpkin, cream, and cake pair perfectly with the soft, chewy cookies.
Vampire Trail Mix: A crunchy, salty-sweet mix that complements the cookies’ buttery base.
Pumpkin Scones: These tender scones make a cozy fall pairing with your sprinkle cookies for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
Festive Pairings for Halloween
Want to turn your cookies into part of a full Halloween snack table? Try serving them with:
- Vampire Trail Mix – crunchy, sweet, and salty.
- Pumpkin Donuts – fluffy and coated in cinnamon sugar.
- Pumpkin Spice Chex Mix – a fall classic snack mix.
- Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake – cozy, gooey, and perfect for sharing.
For more festive ideas, check out my Pinterest boards here or join our baking community on Facebook.
Wrapping It Up
Halloween Sprinkle Cookies aren’t just a recipe—they’re a memory in the making. Picture kids with flour on their cheeks, giggling while rolling dough in bright sprinkles, and the joy of pulling a tray of warm, colorful cookies from the oven. These cookies bring that simple joy to your table, reminding us that baking is about more than the end result—it’s about the moments along the way.
So grab your sprinkles, fire up the oven, and bake a batch of spooky fun. Because sometimes, the best Halloween magic is found not in costumes or candy bags—but in a plate of cookies shared with people you love.