Colorful Funfetti Butter Cookies

This funfetti butter cookies recipe transforms a simple box of cake mix into soft, colorful cookies that brighten any dessert table. The cream cheese gives these cookies an extra tender texture while the rainbow sprinkles add pops of color and fun to every bite.

I first made these cookies for my niece's birthday party, and they were such a hit that they've become our go-to recipe for every family celebration. The kids love helping roll the dough balls in powdered sugar almost as much as they enjoy eating them.

Ingredients

• Cream cheese: Adds tanginess and creates an incredibly soft texture for these cookies
• Unsalted butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create the perfect cookie structure
• Egg: Binds everything together while adding moisture
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweet flavor profile
• White cake mix: Serves as the base and gives that classic funfetti flavor
• Rainbow colored sprinkles: Add festive pops of color and a slight crunch
• Powdered sugar: Creates a beautiful crinkle effect and adds sweetness
• Sparkling sugar (optional): Adds an extra special sparkle to the finished cookies

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cream the butter and cheese:

Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy using a stand mixer or hand mixer. This step is crucial for creating a light texture in your cookies, so make sure both ingredients are truly at room temperature for the best results.

Add wet ingredients:

Mix in egg and vanilla extract on medium high speed until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of your bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed. These ingredients add moisture and flavor to your cookies.

Incorporate the cake mix:

Reduce your mixer to low speed and gradually add the cake mix until just combined. Overmixing at this stage can make your cookies tough, so stop mixing as soon as the dry ingredients are incorporated.

Add the sprinkles:

Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles using a spatula or large spoon. This gentle folding motion preserves the sprinkles' colors and prevents them from bleeding throughout the dough.

Chill the dough:

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling time firms up the dough, making it easier to work with and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Prepare for baking:

Position your oven rack just above center and preheat to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.

Form and coat cookies:

Scoop the chilled dough into 1 inch balls using a cookie scoop or spoon. Roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place on prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. For extra sparkle, sprinkle additional sparkling sugar on top.

Bake to perfection:

Bake cookies for 8–10 minutes until the bottoms turn light golden brown. Watch carefully as overbaking can dry them out.

Cool properly:

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Use a spatula for this transfer as the cookies will be very soft.

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The rainbow sprinkles are what make these cookies truly special in my family. My daughter insists on helping pour them into the dough, and we sometimes use seasonal colors for holidays like red and green for Christmas or orange and black for Halloween.

Storage Tips

These funfetti butter cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator where they will maintain their texture and flavor for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months by placing them in a freezer safe container with parchment paper between layers.

Make Ahead Options

The cookie dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. For longer storage, roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in powdered sugar, and add a minute or two to the baking time.

Flavor Variations

While the classic funfetti flavor is always a hit, you can easily customize these cookies by using different cake mix flavors. Try chocolate cake mix with chocolate sprinkles for a chocolate lover's delight, or strawberry cake mix with pink and white sprinkles for a Valentine's Day treat. You can also add a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla for an extra dimension of flavor.

Troubleshooting

If your cookies spread too much during baking, your dough likely wasn't chilled enough. Pop the remaining dough back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before continuing. If your cookies are too dry, they may have been overbaked. Remember that they will continue to set as they cool, so remove them from the oven when they still look slightly underdone in the center.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use a different flavor of cake mix?

Yes, you can substitute the white cake mix with other flavors like vanilla, yellow, or even chocolate cake mix. Just keep in mind that changing the cake mix will affect both the flavor and potentially the color of your cookies.

→ Why does the dough need to chill for an hour?

Chilling the dough is essential as it firms up the butter and cream cheese, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld together and makes the dough easier to handle when rolling in powdered sugar.

→ Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Absolutely! You can freeze the dough in two ways: either freeze the entire batch of dough tightly wrapped for up to 3 months, or portion into balls, roll in powdered sugar, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, you can bake the frozen dough balls adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

→ Why are my cookies too soft or falling apart?

If your cookies are too soft to handle, they may be underbaked. Allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before attempting to move them. Also, make sure you're using the proper measurements for ingredients and that your cream cheese is full-fat, as low-fat versions contain more moisture which can affect the texture.

→ Can I add different mix-ins besides rainbow sprinkles?

Yes! While rainbow sprinkles give these cookies their funfetti appearance, you can customize with other mix-ins like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or seasonal sprinkles. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins to about 1/2 cup to maintain the proper dough consistency.

→ Why use cake mix instead of flour?

Using cake mix provides these cookies with a unique texture and flavor that's difficult to achieve with just flour. The cake mix contains leavening agents, sugar, and flavor components that contribute to the cookie's soft, cake-like quality while simplifying the ingredient list.