If you are craving a simple yet utterly delightful treat, this Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe is exactly what you need to brighten your day. These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies have a delicate texture that pairs beautifully with a luscious drizzle of chocolate and a playful sprinkle of colorful toppings. Whether you want to impress guests or enjoy a cozy afternoon snack with a cup of tea, this recipe brings together classic buttery flavors with a fun, festive twist that everyone will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe starts with a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Each component plays a crucial role, from the rich butter that lends a tender crumb to the vanilla that enhances flavor depth. Let’s take a closer look at these simple essentials.
- Flour (2 ¼ cups): Provides structure and the perfect tender crumb for the cookies.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The star ingredient that gives these cookies their rich, creamy taste and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Egg yolks (2, room temperature): Add richness and help bind the dough for a smooth consistency.
- Sugar (¾ cup): Sweetens the cookies just right, contributing to that delightful golden color as it caramelizes slightly during baking.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons): Brings warmth and depth to every bite.
- Milk (1-2 tablespoons): Optional but handy for adjusting dough consistency to make piping easier.
- Chocolate melting wafers (optional): Perfect for creating that irresistible chocolate drizzle that adds richness and visual appeal.
- Sprinkles (optional): Inject fun and color, making these cookies ideal for celebrations or cheerful everyday moments.
How to Make Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour and salt in a medium bowl. This ensures the salt is evenly distributed, which is key to bringing out the flavor in the cookies. Set this mixture aside while you prepare the wet ingredients.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is essential because it incorporates air, which helps give the cookies a delicate texture.
Step 3: Add Egg Yolks
Next, add the egg yolks to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix thoroughly, scraping down the bowl sides occasionally to make sure everything combines evenly. These yolks add richness and help bind the dough.
Step 4: Stir in Vanilla Extract
Add your vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated. This subtle addition lifts the cookie flavor beautifully, giving it a warm, inviting aroma.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Add the flour mixture to the wet batter in three additions, mixing well after each to avoid any lumps of dry flour. Be gentle and mix just until the flour is fully integrated to keep your cookies tender.
Step 6: Check Dough Consistency and Adjust
The dough should be thick enough to hold its shape but still pipeable. If it feels too firm or crumbly, mix in a tablespoon of milk to loosen it up. Getting the right texture is a game-changer for beautifully shaped cookies.
Step 7: Preheat Oven and Prepare Piping
Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit a piping bag with a large star tip and fill it with your dough. Double-bagging the piping bag can help prevent any messy busts while piping.
Step 8: Pipe the Cookies
Pipe 1½ to 2-inch swirls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to bake evenly without sticking together.
Step 9: Bake Until Edges Turn Golden
Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges have just started to turn golden brown. This ensures a tender center with a slight crisp around the edges – perfection in every bite.
Step 10: Cool Before Decorating
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling step helps set their shape and makes them easier to handle for decorating.
Step 11: Add Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles
If you’re ready to add the fun finishing touches, melt your chocolate wafers by microwaving in short bursts and stirring in between until smooth. Dip each cookie halfway in the chocolate and let the excess drip off before adding sprinkles on top. Place them on a wire rack to set and use a knife to gently release once dry.
How to Serve Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe
Garnishes
Adding colorful sprinkles on top of the chocolate drizzle not only makes these butter cookies extra festive but also adds a slight crunch and bursts of sweetness. For an elegant touch, try finely chopped nuts or edible gold dust instead of sprinkles.
Side Dishes
These cookies are perfect alongside a hot cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of cold milk. You can also serve them with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple yet indulgent dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, arrange these cookies on a tiered dessert stand or stack them in a decorative jar tied with a ribbon. You can even gift them in pretty boxes or bags with a personalized tag for holidays or special occasions.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover cookies fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread inside the container helps maintain softness by absorbing excess moisture.
Freezing
Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe also freeze beautifully. Store them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will keep well for up to three months.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these cookies warm, simply let them come to room temperature or gently warm them in a low oven for a few minutes. Avoid microwaving, as that can soften the chocolate drizzle too much and alter the texture.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Using salted butter is possible, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty taste. Unsalted butter allows you to control the salt level precisely.
What type of sprinkles works best?
Any small, non-melting sprinkles like jimmies or colored sugar work perfectly. Avoid large chunky sprinkles that may affect how the chocolate sets or interfere with the cookie’s crispness.
Can I make these cookies without piping?
Yes, you can scoop and shape the dough with a spoon or small cookie scoop, but piping creates a more beautiful swirl pattern and a delicate texture that’s typical of this recipe.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
Look for edges just turning golden and centers that are still light in color. Overbaking will make the cookies hard rather than tender and buttery.
Can I substitute the chocolate drizzle for another topping?
Absolutely! You could try a heavy dusting of powdered sugar, a simple glaze, or even a caramel drizzle to mix things up while still celebrating the buttery base of these cookies.
Final Thoughts
These Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe have quickly become a cherished favorite whenever I want a treat that feels both nostalgic and special. The combination of buttery softness, rich chocolate, and cheerful sprinkles makes each bite a celebration. I can’t wait for you to try making them yourself—you’re going to love how approachable and rewarding this recipe is!
Print
Butter Cookies with Chocolate Drizzle and Sprinkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 to 48 cookies, depending on size
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic homemade butter cookies that are tender, buttery, and perfectly sweetened. These cookies are piped into beautiful swirls using a star tip and baked until the edges just start to turn golden. Optional chocolate and sprinkle decoration adds a festive touch, making them ideal for holidays or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks, softened to room temperature)
- 2 egg yolks (at room temperature)
- ¾ cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1–2 Tablespoons of milk (to adjust dough consistency)
Optional Decoration
- Chocolate melting wafers
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour and salt thoroughly. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air into the dough.
- Add Egg Yolks: Mix in the egg yolks fully, scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even blending.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract, distributing the flavor evenly throughout the batter.
- Combine Flour Mixture: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients in thirds, mixing well between additions.
- Mix Until Just Combined: Stir until there are no more visible streaks of flour but avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare Dough for Piping: Transfer a small amount of dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. The dough should be thick yet pipeable. For extra sturdiness, consider double-bagging the piping bag to prevent blowouts.
- Adjust Dough Consistency if Needed: If the dough feels too stiff to pipe smoothly, mix it back into the bowl and add one tablespoon of milk. Stir well and try piping again.
- Pipe Cookies: Pipe swirls about 1 ½ to 2 inches in diameter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown, signaling they are perfectly cooked.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Melt Chocolate (Optional): Place chocolate melting wafers in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15-second intervals, stirring between each until smooth and melted.
- Dip Cookies in Chocolate (Optional): Dip each cooled cookie into the melted chocolate, letting excess chocolate drip off before placing them back on a wire rack.
- Add Sprinkles (Optional): While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle a pinch of sprinkles on top. Allow the chocolate to set completely before gently detaching the cookies from the rack using a knife.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and egg yolks are at room temperature for smooth mixing and better texture.
- If the dough is too stiff, adding milk will help achieve a pipeable consistency.
- Double-bag the piping bag to prevent breakage during piping stiff dough.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven; watch for golden edges as the indicator of doneness.
- Optional chocolate and sprinkles add a festive and decorative touch but can be skipped for plain butter cookies.
