Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These soft and chewy Birthday Cake Cookies bring the joy of a celebration to every bite. Packed with white chocolate chunks and colorful rainbow sprinkles, they capture the classic birthday cake flavor using clear vanilla extract. Perfect for any occasion or just a sweet treat at home.
Ingredients
- 180 g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 115 g unsalted butter (melted)
- 125 g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
- 100 g white chocolate (roughly chopped, plus extra for topping)
- 50 g rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
- Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or whisk until well combined. Add the egg and clear vanilla extract, then whisk until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until nearly combined. Fold in the chopped white chocolate and rainbow sprinkles using a spatula, being careful not to overmix.
- Step 5: Use a cookie scooper or spoon to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Step 6: Bake for 11-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. In the last 2 minutes of baking, gently press a few extra white chocolate chunks onto the top of each cookie and sprinkle with additional rainbow sprinkles.
- Step 7: Remove from the oven and, if desired, use a round cookie cutter slightly larger than the cookies to gently swirl around the edges for perfectly round shapes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For a different flavor, try using milk or dark chocolate chunks instead of white chocolate.
- Make sure your egg is at room temperature to help the dough mix evenly and create soft cookies.
- If you don’t have clear vanilla extract, use regular vanilla extract but note it will add a slight color to the dough.
- To keep cookies chewy, avoid overbaking and let them cool on the baking sheet first.
Storage
Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently in a microwave for 10-15 seconds if you prefer them warm.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, you can scoop the dough onto a tray and freeze it for about 1 hour, then transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
What does clear vanilla extract do for this recipe?
Clear vanilla extract provides the classic vanilla flavor without coloring the dough, giving these cookies their bright, light appearance like a traditional birthday cake.
Print
Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: About 12 cookies 1x
Description
These soft and chewy Birthday Cake Cookies are bursting with white chocolate chunks and colorful rainbow sprinkles, delivering the classic birthday cake flavor in cookie form. Made using clear vanilla extract, they promise a deliciously nostalgic treat perfect for any celebration or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 180 g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 115 g unsalted butter (melted)
- 125 g granulated sugar
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 100 g white chocolate (roughly chopped, plus extra for topping)
- 50 g rainbow sprinkles (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or whisk until the mixture is well blended. Add in the room temperature egg and clear vanilla extract, then whisk again until fully incorporated.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until almost combined. Fold in the roughly chopped white chocolate and rainbow sprinkles using a spatula to avoid overmixing and to maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Scoop Dough: Use a cookie scooper to portion the dough, placing scoops onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave approximately 2 inches between each dough ball to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 11-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. During the last 2 minutes of baking, gently press additional white chocolate chunks on top of each cookie and sprinkle with extra rainbow sprinkles to add a decorative touch.
- Cool the Cookies: Once out of the oven, optionally swirl the cookies with a round cookie cutter slightly larger than the cookies to smooth the edges into perfect rounds. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Using clear vanilla extract maintains the bright colors of the sprinkles without tinting the dough.
- Room temperature egg helps create a smooth batter and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep cookies tender.
- Pressing extra chocolate and sprinkles on top near the end of baking adds vibrant, melty toppings and festive appearance.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet first to avoid breaking as they are delicate when warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Birthday cake cookies, white chocolate cookies, sprinkle cookies, soft cookies, chewy cookies, festive cookies, vanilla cookies
