Funfetti Cream Cheese Cookies đŸȘ

par

These Funfetti Cream Cheese Cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with sweet sprinkles in every bite! Perfect for any occasion, they have the classic funfetti look, a creamy texture from the cream cheese, and a burst of flavor from the almond and orange extracts (optional, but highly recommended for a little extra pizzazz). They’re easy to make and absolutely irresistible—great for baking with kids, too! 😄

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature, for a soft, rich base)
  • 1 8 oz. package cream cheese (room temperature, makes the cookies ultra-soft)
  • 1 large egg (binds everything together)
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional, adds a subtle nutty flavor)
  • 1/2 tsp orange extract (optional, brightens the cookies with a zesty note)
  • 1 package white cake mix (gives the cookies a light, fluffy texture)
  • 1/2 cup sprinkles (divided; for mixing in and topping)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling the cookies and giving them a sweet finish)

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough:

  1. Cream the butter and cream cheese: In a medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the unsalted butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes on medium speed. The cream cheese makes the cookies rich and soft, so don’t skip this step!
  2. Add the wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, almond extract, and orange extract (if using). Mix until everything is well combined. The almond and orange extracts add a lovely depth of flavor, but they are totally optional if you want to keep things simple.
  3. Add the cake mix: Gradually add the white cake mix into the butter-cream cheese mixture. Stir well until the cake mix is fully incorporated. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, which is why chilling it helps with shaping.
  4. Add sprinkles: Stir in 1/4 cup of sprinkles—these will make your dough fun and colorful! If you want to add more sprinkles for extra crunch, feel free to toss in a few extra.
  5. Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours). Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to handle and less sticky for rolling. The longer you chill it, the better it will be to shape!

Bake the Cookies:

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the coating: In two separate bowls, place the powdered sugar in one and the remaining 1/4 cup of sprinkles in the other. These will be used to roll the cookie dough in before baking.
  3. Shape the cookies: Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, scoop out a portion of the dough. Roll it into a ball, then gently roll it in the sprinkles first, followed by the powdered sugar. Make sure the dough ball is completely coated in sugar to give it that sparkly finish once baked.
  4. Place on the cookie sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to give them room to spread as they bake.
  5. Bake the cookies: Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until they are just lightly golden on the edges. These cookies stay soft in the center, so be sure not to overbake them. They will firm up as they cool.
  6. Cool the cookies: Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling period helps the cookies set, ensuring they don’t fall apart.

Tips & Variations:

  • Chilling the dough is key for shaping. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes can work, but the dough will be a bit stickier. If you have the time, chilling for longer (up to 24 hours) helps achieve the best texture.
  • More sprinkle options: Feel free to get creative with your sprinkles! You can use rainbow nonpareils, jimmies, or even themed sprinkles for holidays like Christmas, Easter, or birthdays.
  • Cake mix alternatives: If you want to experiment, you can swap out the white cake mix for a vanilla or funfetti cake mix for different flavors and textures.
  • Make it dairy-free: You can substitute the cream cheese and butter with non-dairy butter and a dairy-free cream cheese to make these cookies dairy-free.

Benefits of Funfetti Cream Cheese Cookies:

  1. Simple Ingredients: These cookies use basic ingredients like cake mix, butter, and cream cheese, which makes them easy to throw together on a busy day. Plus, they require minimal prep time, which means more time to enjoy them!
  2. Perfect for Kids: This is a great recipe for involving kids in the kitchen. They can help scoop the dough, roll the balls in sprinkles, and, of course, enjoy the finished cookies. The colorful sprinkles make them especially fun for little bakers.
  3. Customizable: With endless ways to personalize your sprinkles or add flavor extracts, you can make these cookies your own! Add chocolate chips, nuts, or even a drizzle of white chocolate for extra indulgence.
  4. No Chilling, No Worries: While you do need to chill the dough briefly, it’s not a finicky recipe. The chilling helps with handling the dough but doesn’t require any special tools or techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. Can I use a different type of cake mix?

  • Yes! You can use any flavor of cake mix you prefer—vanilla, lemon, or even strawberry. Each will give the cookies a different flavor base, so feel free to experiment!

2. Can I freeze the dough?

  • Absolutely! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Simply roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, just roll them in sugar and bake as usual.

3. How can I store the cookies?

  • Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you want to keep them for longer, store them in the fridge for up to 10 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

4. Can I skip the powdered sugar and just use sprinkles?

  • Yes, you can skip the powdered sugar if you want a less sweet exterior. Just roll the cookie dough balls in sprinkles, and they will still turn out soft and delicious, though they won’t have the same sugary coating.

5. Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

  • Yes, a hand mixer works just as well for this recipe. Just make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are fully mixed.

Final Thoughts:

These Funfetti Cream Cheese Cookies are a quick and easy way to add a bit of color and joy to your day. They are soft, chewy, and bursting with sprinkles in every bite. Whether you’re baking with kids, celebrating a special occasion, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. Enjoy every bite! đŸȘ✹

Laisser un commentaire