Soft, chewy cookies loaded with colorful sprinkles and topped with a swirl of fluffy buttercream frosting, these Birthday Cake Cookies taste just like a slice of celebration in every bite.
I love cookies because they make a good dessert, whether it’s an occasion or a regular meal. You can make them in advance or prepare a big batch for the whole week. They’re easy to make, taste delicious, and look scrumptious. These Birthday Cake Cookies with Buttercream Frosting taste just like a classic funfetti cake, but in the most irresistible cookie form. Think bakery-style chewy cookie centers with lightly crisp edges, the texture of the cookie is spot-on for party platters, lunchbox treats, or any special occasion that needs sprinkles.
Planning a dessert table? Add bite-sized fun with our Brownie Cake Pops or keep the celebration going with mini party cakes like Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes.
If you haven’t tried my other cookie recipes, you’re seriously missing out. Try Blackberry Oatmeal Cookies or Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies if you want to enjoy guilt free cookies!
Jump to:
- Why you will love this birthday cake cookies recipe
- Ingredients
- Instructions (For Funfetti Cookies)
- Variations For Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe
- Equipment
- Serving Suggestions For Homemade Funfetti Cookies
- Storage And Reheating Tips For This Birthday Cake Cookies
- Top Tips For Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Funfetti Birthday Cake Cookies with sprinkles recipe
Why you will love this birthday cake cookies recipe
Versatile — The best thing about these funfetti cookies? You can make a few small tweaks and they’ll match any theme or festival. Halloween night? Swap rainbow sprinkles for Halloween sprinkles.
Crowd Pleaser — These birthday cake cookies are so good they'll become a family favourite the moment you serve them.
Texture and Colour — The buttercream frosting for cookies is soft and chewy. The sprinkles break in your mouth. Adults will love the cookie and frosting texture while kids will ask for extra crunchy sprinkles. They’re called funfettie cookies for a reason!
Easy to Make — You can make these birthday cake cookies within 30 minutes. It’s super easy and delicious. No fancy ingredients or techniques required either.
Ingredients
All you need is simple ingredients to make this delicious cookie recipe, let see the ingredients below.
For the Cookies:
- All-purpose Flour: You can substitute it with almond flour, or any gluten-free flour of your choice.
- Cornstarch: It will make the cookies chewy. It also helps them stay fluffy and thick.
- Baking Powder: Don’t substitute it with any other ingredient. It gives the cake cookies a lift.
- Baking Soda: Cannot be omitted or substituted. It helps the dough spread.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances other flavours.
- Butter: Use unsalted melted butter. Make sure the butter is not too hot. It gives the cookies soft texture and buttery flavour. You can substitute it with dairy free butter.
- Granulated White Sugar: When beaten with butter, it will keep the birthday cake cookies soft and light in texture. You can use coconut sugar as a substitute. Use brown sugar for some deep molasses flavor.
- Egg: Use one large egg at room temperature.
- Vanilla Extract: If you don’t have vanilla extract, or you want stronger flavour in your birthday cake cookies, use vanilla bean paste (1:1 ratio).
- White Chocolate Chips (optional): I did't use them, but you can use it for some extra flavor.
- Almond Extract (optional): Adds a nutty flavour. But if you don’t want that, you can skip it.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: These sprinkles are the best part of funfetti cookies. You’ll need to fold them into the cookie dough.
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- Butter: Use unsalted butter so that the additional salt you’re using doesn’t make your cookies too salty. Soften the butter before using. Dairy or Dairy-free butter both are fine.
- Powdered sugar: Sift before adding so that there are no lumps. Coconut sugar powder is a good substitute.
- Heavy Cream: It makes the frosting thick, fluffy, and rich. Almost like a cake!
- Vanilla Extract: Can be substituted with Vanilla bean paste or almond extract for enhanced flavour.
- Salt: Just a pinch.
- Rainbow Sprinkles: They’ll be used for topping. Can be substituted with other sprinkles based on the event or theme.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions (For Funfetti Cookies)
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat melted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy for 2–3 minutes using an electric mixer or whisk.
Add in the egg, then add vanilla and beat until creamy.
Gradually mix in dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined
Gently fold in sprinkles.
Scoop 1-tablespoon portions of cookie dough balls onto prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft. Cool the birthday cookies completely on a wire rack.
Beat butter until creamy, add powdered sugar, beating on low speed. Mix in cream, vanilla, and salt. Increase to high speed and whip for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy. (Scrape the sides of the bowl)
Pipe the prepared buttercream onto cooled cookies. Top generously with extra sprinkles.
If you’ve been hunting for the perfect cookies that deliver big birthday flavor without fuss, this funfetti cookie recipe is your new go-to birthday recipe. Each bite layers buttery vanilla cookie, rainbow crunch, and a swirl of creamy buttercream, simply delicious cookies you’ll make on repeat.
Hint: Use rainbow jimmies (the longer rod-shaped sprinkles), they hold their shape and color in the oven. Avoid nonpareils (tiny round sprinkles), which bleed into the dough.
Variations For Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe
- Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: If you want to have a cheesecake in the form of cake cookies, these funfetties can transform! Follow the exact same recipe, just swap heavy cream with cream cheese!
- Salted Caramel Birthday Cake Cookies: You’re a caramel fan? Turn these funfetti cookies into Salted Caramel Cake Cookies in a single switch. Add salted caramel crunch to the frosting instead of sprinkles. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce on top and sprinkle some more crunchies!
- Nutty Birthday Cake Cookies: Swap rainbow sprinkles with finely chopped nuts. You can use almond extract instead of vanilla extract for an even nuttier taste. Use chopped nuts for topping as well.
Equipment
- Hand mixer or stand mixer or whisk
- Mixing bowls
- Baking sheet
- Cookie scoop
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
Serving Suggestions For Homemade Funfetti Cookies
Hot Chocolate or Milk: These birthday cake cookies can be served with a glass of milk like regular cookies. Or, you can opt for a hot chocolate if you’re a fan.
Coffee or Tea: The best way to enjoy these cookies with buttercream frosting is to pair them with a hot beverage . You can try Salted Caramel Latte or Vanilla Bean Latte. Tea is also a great serving option.
Birthday platter: Mix with Brownie Cake Pops and Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes for easy grab-and-go treats
Charcuterie Board: Upgrade your charcuterie board with these fancy frosted cake cookies. You can serve them on a board along with sweet and savory options like Crackers, Cheese Ball, Pumpkin Hand Pies, Apple Turnovers, Blondie Bars, or Dark Chocolate Fudge.
Storage And Reheating Tips For This Birthday Cake Cookies
Room Temperature: Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator: These funfetti cookies can be refrigerated for up to 5 days.
Freezer: Freeze the unfrosted cake cookies or cookie dough in airtight ziplock bags for up to 3 months. Frosted cookies can also be individually wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen, but the colors of rainbow sprinkles may bleed into the frosting.
Reheating and Thawing: Refrigerate the frozen cookies until completely thawed. Keep at room temperature for 1-2 hours before serving them. If you like them chilled, serve straight out of the fridge.
Top Tips For Birthday Cake Cookies Recipe
- Don’t overmix the batter to prevent cookies from hardening.
- Make round balls from dough to make evenly rounded cookies.
- Fold in sprinkles into the batter at the very end to prevent breaking.
- Chill the cookie dough before baking to avoid hard or overcooked cake cookies.
FAQ
Don’t skip the baking soda. It keeps them soft and chewy.
There are two possibilities. You’ve either overcooked them or overmixed the batter.
I have used rainbow sprinkles for that classic birthday cake look. You can use confetti sprinkles or any other sprinkles based your your theme.
Yes! You can bake the cookies 1–2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. Frost them the day you plan to serve.
Unfrosted cookies freeze very well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost and decorate. You can also freeze the buttercream separately in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
Absolutely. Homemade buttercream gives the best flavor and texture, but store-bought frosting works as a time-saver.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this birthday cake cookies recipe:
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Funfetti Birthday Cake Cookies with sprinkles recipe
Equipment
- Whisk or Hand mixer
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Extra rainbow sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat melted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy for 2–3 minutes.
- Add in the egg, then add vanilla and almond extract (optional).
- Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined. Gently fold in sprinkles.
- Scoop 1-tablespoon portions onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but centers are soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed. Mix in cream, vanilla, and salt. Increase to high speed and whip for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Pipe the prepared buttercream onto cooled cookies. Top generously with extra sprinkles.Serve immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated up to 5 days.
Notes
- Swap vanilla for almond or birthday cake extract for more cakey flavor in cookies.
- If frosting is too thick, add a splash more cream; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Let cookies cool completely before frosting, otherwise the buttercream will melt.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- Bake one sheet at a time on the center rack, and let cookies cool completely before piping so the buttercream stays fluffy.
- Fold in sprinkles into the batter at the very end to prevent breaking.
- Chill the cookie dough before baking to avoid hard or overcooked cake cookies.
Misty Tannery says
Misty
Courtney says
I was looking for a last-minute treat to make for my niece's birthday and these were perfect! Definitely a big hit enjoyed to the very last crumb.
Abi Guna says
Yay, glad your family loved this cake cookie recipe, thanks for your feedback!
Therese says
These are so fun! I can't wait to try them.
Abi Guna says
I'm sure you and your fmaily would love these birthday cookies, let me know how they turn out:)
Madhu says
These birthday cake cookies sound delicious and festive. Perfect for any celebration or just a sweet treat!
Abi Guna says
Agree, just perfect for any occasion, birthday, anniversaries, holidays, etc.,
Abi Guna says
I made these for my daughter’s birthday and they were a big hit! The cookies were soft and chewy with that perfect birthday-cake flavor, and the buttercream swirls held up beautifully. Kids went back for seconds!