Indulge in the deliciousness of birthday cake cookies! These cookies are bursting with the nostalgic flavors of vanilla, butter, and confetti sprinkles, making them a perfect treat for any celebration.
Discover different variations to suit your cravings and make your next special occasion even sweeter with these fun and festive cookies.
Birthday cake cookies are a type of cookie that is flavored to taste like a classic birthday cake. These cookies typically contain vanilla or butter flavoring, as well as rainbow sprinkles or confetti pieces to mimic the appearance of a birthday cake.
Some recipes may also incorporate additional ingredients, such as cream cheese or white chocolate, to enhance the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Birthday cake cookies are often baked to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or graduations, and they can be enjoyed as a standalone treat or used as part of a larger dessert, such as ice cream sandwiches or cookie cakes.
They are popular among both children and adults and can be found in many bakeries, grocery stores, and online retailers.
There are many variations of birthday cake cookie recipes available, and they can be adapted to suit different dietary preferences and restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegan, or low-sugar diets.
With their colorful appearance and nostalgic flavor, birthday cake cookies are a fun and festive addition to any celebration or dessert spread.
cake batter cookies
Common Questions About Birthday Cake Cookies
What are birthday cake cookies?
Birthday cake cookies are a type of cookie that is flavored to taste like a classic birthday cake. They often contain vanilla or butter flavoring and rainbow sprinkles or confetti pieces to mimic the appearance of a birthday cake.
Are there any vegan or gluten-free options for birthday cake cookies?
Yes, there are many vegan and gluten-free recipes available for these tasty cake-like cookies. These recipes may use alternative ingredients, such as plant-based butter or gluten-free flour blends.
Making Birthday Cake Cookies Ahead of Time
Birthday cake cookies are a delicious treat that can be made ahead of time for convenience. Here are some tips for making them ahead of time:
- Store the cookies in an airtight container: Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. You can also place a piece of bread or a slice of apple in the container to help keep the cookies soft and chewy.
- Freeze the cookies: If you want to make the cookies well in advance, you can freeze them. Place the cooled cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, with a sheet of parchment paper between each layer. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thaw the cookies before serving: When you’re ready to serve the cookies, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the oven or microwave if desired, but be careful not to overheat them as this can cause them to become dry and hard.
- Make the dough ahead of time: If you don’t have time to bake the cookies but want to get a head start, you can make the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to bake the cookies, simply scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and bake as directed.
By following these tips, you can enjoy fresh and delicious birthday cake cookies anytime you want.
Ingredients for Birthday Cake Cookies
- unsalted butter – room temperature
- granulated sugar
- brown sugar–packed
- large egg
- vanilla extract
- cake batter flavoring extract
- all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled
- table salt
- baking powder
- rainbow jimmies
- white chocolate chips + more for the tops
- rainbow nonpareil sprinkles
- additional sprinkles of choice as desired
Can you use birthday cake cookies in other desserts?
Yes, birthday cake cookies can be used in a variety of other desserts, such as ice cream sandwiches or cookie cakes.
What to serve with these cookies
Birthday cake cookies can be served in many ways and with various accompaniments. Here are a few ideas:
- Milk: Enjoy birthday cake cookies with a tall glass of milk, which can help balance the sweetness of the cookie.
- Ice cream: Use birthday cake cookies to make ice cream sandwiches by placing a scoop of ice cream between two cookies. Vanilla, strawberry, or cake batter-flavored ice cream would all be delicious choices.
- Frosting: Dip birthday cake cookies in frosting, such as vanilla or cream cheese, to add an extra layer of sweetness.
- Fruit: Serve birthday cake cookies with fresh fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, to add a fresh and colorful touch to the dessert.
- Coffee: Enjoy a warm cup of coffee or tea with birthday cake cookies for a cozy and comforting treat.
- Other cookies: Pair birthday cake cookies with other cookies, such as chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, for a varied and fun cookie platter.
These are just a few ideas, but you can mix and match different accompaniments to suit your taste and create a dessert spread that everyone will love.
How to Make Birthday Cake Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat well until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg and both extracts.
- Add the flour, salt, and baking powder – mixing in slowly until just incorporated. Then increase the speed for about 15-20 seconds to whip it well. Take care to not over-mix. It should not be dry looking.
- Fold in the sprinkles and chocolate chips.
- Use a 1/4 cup cookie scoop and portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the dough about 2″ apart – I was able to get 6 cookies on a 3/4 sheet. So you might only get 4 on a standard baking sheet.
- Bake for about 15-16 minutes – be sure to not over-bake. They will look a bit undercooked but will set once they cool.
- Immediately add more chocolate chips to the tops of the baked cookies when you pull them out of the oven – before they cool and set. This is optional but makes for a prettier cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container for several days.
These cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for several days and can also be frozen for longer storage.
Pro Tips
- Be sure to have your cookie sheet or parchment paper-lined baking sheet, a large bowl, medium bowl, or bowl of a stand mixer, plastic wrap, large cookie scoop, or medium ice cream scooper, all ready to go so you aren’t having to pull out supplies in the middle of preparing this birthday cake cookie recipe.
- You can swap out ingredients – try making these with crushed golden oreos, dark brown sugar, wheat flour, cake batter extract, pure vanilla extract, almond extract, or funfetti sprinkles.
- The cookie dough balls can be rolled between your hands instead of using a cookie scoop.
- Decorate these sweet cookies with cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting using a piping bag and a large round tip.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
There are several reasons why you should make this recipe for birthday cake cookies:
- They are delicious: These cookies have a light, fluffy texture and a sweet, buttery flavor that is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
- They are easy to make: This recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it a great choice for beginner bakers or anyone who wants to make a quick and easy dessert.
- They are perfect for celebrations: These cookies are a fun and festive treat that are perfect for birthday parties, celebrations, or any time you want to add a little sweetness to your day.
- They are customizable: You can customize this recipe to your liking by adding different types of sprinkles or frosting, or by making one of the variations of them that I listed above.
- They make a great gift: These cookies are a thoughtful and delicious gift that is sure to be appreciated by anyone who loves cookies.
Overall, this recipe is a great choice for anyone who loves cookies, cake, or anything sweet and delicious. Give it a try and see for yourself why it’s a favorite among cookie lovers everywhere!
Note – you can make slightly smaller cookies, baking them for 9-11 minutes.
Kitchen Supplies You’ll Need
You only need a few standard kitchen supplies in order to make these cute cookies.
- Medium size bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or Silpat liner
- Rubber spatula
- Large mixing bowl
- Stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or hand mixer)
- Small cookie scoop (or melon baller)
- Small bowl or shallow dish (for sugar)
Flavor Variations
There are many variations of birthday cake cookies that you can try out. Here are some ideas:
- Chocolate cookies: Use cocoa powder or melted chocolate in the cookie dough to create a chocolatey version of these cookies.
- Funfetti sugar cookies: Mix sprinkles into a classic sugar cookie dough for a fun, colorful twist on a traditional cookie.
- Lemon cookies: Add lemon zest and juice to the cookie dough for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Red velvet cookies: Use red food coloring and cocoa powder to create a red velvet cookie that tastes like a classic red velvet cake.
- Confetti cake batter cookies: Mix cake mix into the cookie dough to create a cookie that tastes like cake batter.
- Oatmeal cookies: Add rolled oats to the cookie dough to create a heartier, more textured cookie that still has the flavors of birthday cake.
- Peanut butter cookies: Use peanut butter cookie dough and mix in sprinkles for a fun, birthday-inspired twist on a classic cookie.
These are just a few ideas, but you can experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique cookie variations.
Tips For The Best Birthday Cake Cookies
Here are some tips for making the best birthday cake cookies:
- Use quality ingredients: Use high-quality butter, flour, sugar, and vanilla extract to ensure that the cookies have the best flavor.
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough can cause the cookies to become tough and dry. Mix the dough just until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Use rainbow sprinkles: Use rainbow sprinkles to give the cookies a fun and festive appearance. You can also use nonpareils, jimmies, or other types of sprinkles.
- Use a cookie scoop: Use a cookie scoop to ensure that the cookies are evenly sized, which will help them bake evenly.
- Bake at the right temperature: Bake the cookies at the temperature specified in the recipe, and don’t overbake them. The cookies should be slightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool the cookies completely: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before storing or decorating them.
By following these tips, you can create delicious and festive birthday cake cookies that are sure to impress. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of sprinkles or frosting to make them your own.
If you love this easy Birthday Cake Cookie recipe, you’ll love these other cookies too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
More Great Birthday Cake-Flavored Recipes
Frosted Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies
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Birthday Cake Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter – room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar – packed
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cake batter flavoring extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour – spooned and leveled
- ½ tsp table salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 cup rainbow jimmies
- ½ cup white chocolate chips + more for the tops
- ½ cup rainbow nonpareil sprinkles
additional sprinkles of choice as desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat well until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg and both extracts.
- Add the flour, salt, and baking powder – mixing in slowly until just incorporated. Then increase the speed for about 15-20 seconds to whip it well. Take care to not over-mix. It should not be dry looking.
- Fold in the sprinkles and chocolate chips.
- Use a 1/4 cup cookie scoop and portion out the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the dough about 2″ apart – I was able to get 6 cookies on a 3/4 sheet. So you might only get 4 on a standard baking sheet.
- Bake for about 15-16 minutes – be sure to not over-bake. They will look a bit undercooked but will set once they cool.
- Immediately add more chocolate chips to the tops of the baked cookies when you pull them out of the oven – before they cool and set. This is optional but makes for a prettier cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container for several days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
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