Birthday Cake Cookies – Soft, cakey birthday cake sugar cookies packed with rainbow sprinkles and finished with creamy birthday cake frosting.
These Birthday Cake Cookies are soft, thick, colorful, and full of that classic birthday cake flavor. The cookie base has a tender, cake-like texture, a sweet vanilla flavor, and just enough cake batter extract to make every bite taste like a celebration. Rainbow sprinkles are mixed into the dough, then the cookies are topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting and even more sprinkles for the perfect festive finish.
If you love funfetti desserts, birthday cake treats, or soft frosted sugar cookies, this recipe is a simple and delicious way to bring party flavor into cookie form. These cookies are perfect for birthdays, parties, bake sales, celebrations, or any day that needs a little extra color.
For more birthday-inspired desserts, try these recipes:
- Phenomenal and Festive Funfetti Birthday Cake
- Homemade Birthday Sprinkle Marshmallows Recipe
- The Best Birthday Golden Oreo Blondies
Why these Birthday Cake Cookies?
These Birthday Cake Cookies are everything you want in a fun, bakery-style cookie. They are soft, sweet, colorful, and easy to make. The combination of cake batter extract, vanilla, sprinkles, and cream cheese frosting gives them a nostalgic birthday cake flavor without needing to bake a full cake.
- Soft and chewy – These cookies have a thick, tender texture that sits somewhere between a soft sugar cookie and a slice of birthday cake.
- Perfect for celebrations – They are ideal for birthdays, parties, or any occasion that needs a bright and cheerful dessert.
- Loaded with sprinkles – Rainbow jimmies add color and fun to the dough, while extra sprinkles on top make the cookies look festive.
- Easy to make – The dough comes together quickly, and the frosting is simple to whip up while the cookies cool.
- Full of birthday cake flavor – Cake batter extract and vanilla extract give these cookies their signature funfetti-style taste.
What you’ll need to make Birthday Cake Cookies
This birthday cake cookie recipe uses simple baking ingredients, plus a few special additions that give the cookies their signature flavor and appearance. For exact measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Unsalted butter – Butter is used in both the cookie dough and the frosting. For the cookies, it helps create a rich flavor and soft texture.
- Granulated sugar – Sugar sweetens the cookies and helps create a tender crumb.
- Egg – A room-temperature egg helps bind the dough and keeps the cookies soft.
- Cake batter extract – This gives the cookies that classic birthday cake flavor. If you cannot find it, vanilla extract can be used instead, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla adds warmth and enhances the cake batter flavor.
- All-purpose flour – Flour gives structure to the cookies. Spoon and level it for the most accurate measurement.
- Baking powder and baking soda – These leavening agents help the cookies rise and stay soft.
- Salt – A small amount of salt balances the sweetness.
- Rainbow sprinkles – Use rainbow jimmies for the best texture and color throughout the dough.
- Cream cheese – Full-fat cream cheese creates a smooth, tangy frosting that pairs perfectly with the sweet cookie base.
- Powdered sugar – This sweetens and thickens the frosting.
Step By Step – Birthday Cake Cookies
Follow these steps to make soft and colorful Birthday Cake Cookies with cream cheese frosting.
Step 1: Prep. Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 3: Add the egg and flavoring. With the mixer on medium speed, add the egg and beat for about 30 seconds. Add the cake batter extract and vanilla extract, then mix just until combined.
Step 4: Mix in the dry ingredients. On the lowest speed, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and rainbow sprinkles. Mix only until the flour streaks disappear. Do not overmix the dough.
Step 5: Scoop the dough. Use a large cookie scoop to portion the dough into 5 large cookie dough balls.
Step 6: Shape the cookies. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared sheet pan about 1 inch apart. Gently press the tops down with your hand to create a slightly flatter surface for frosting.
Step 7: Bake. Bake the cookies for 11 minutes. Let them cool on the pan before transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Step by step – Cream cheese frosting
Step 1: Cream the cream cheese and butter. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then beat again for 2 more minutes.
Step 2: Add the powdered sugar and flavoring. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar, cake batter extract, vanilla, and salt. Mix until combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
Step 3: Frost the cookies. Once the cookies are completely cool, transfer the frosting to a piping bag or plastic bag. Cut a medium-size opening and pipe frosting over the top of each cookie. Decorate with extra rainbow sprinkles.
Expert Baking Tips
- Use a high-quality, light-colored baking pan. A light pan helps prevent the bottoms of the cookies from becoming too dark.
- Preheat your oven before baking so the cookies bake evenly from the start.
- Spoon and level your flour instead of packing it into the measuring cup. Too much flour can make the cookies dry.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding the flour. Mixing too much can make the cookies dense.
- Let the cookies cool completely before frosting. Warm cookies will melt the cream cheese frosting and create a messy finish.
FAQ
What if I can’t find cake batter extract?
If you cannot find cake batter extract, you can use vanilla extract instead. The cookies will taste more like classic frosted sugar cookies, but they will still be soft, sweet, and delicious.
How many cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 5 large cookies. If you need more for a party or birthday celebration, double the recipe.
What kind of sprinkles work best?
Rainbow jimmies work best because they hold their shape and color in the dough. Nonpareils can bleed color more easily, so jimmies are the better choice for these birthday cake cookies.
Storing and freezing
Store these Birthday Cake Cookies in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for up to 5 days. If your kitchen is warm, storing the frosted cookies in the refrigerator can help keep the cream cheese frosting firm.
Freezing – Birthday Cake Cookies
You can freeze the cookie dough balls for up to 6 months. Place the dough balls in a freezer-safe container or bag, then thaw before baking.
You can also freeze the fully frosted cookies. Store them in a sealed container and freeze for 30 to 60 days.
How to serve: Frost the cookies only after they are completely cool. They are delicious at room temperature or served chilled.
For more recipes like this, try these festive desserts:
If you love this recipe, leave a star rating and a comment review. Your feedback helps others enjoy these fun and festive Birthday Cake Cookies too.
Recipe
Birthday Cake Cookies
Molly Murphy
Ingredients
Birthday cake cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter chilled and cubed
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg at room temperature
- ½ teaspoon cake batter extract
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
Cream cheese frosting
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- ¼ teaspoon cake batter extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Make the birthday cake cookies
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Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
-
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
-
With the mixer on medium speed, add the egg and beat for 30 seconds. Add the cake batter extract and vanilla extract, then mix just until combined.
-
On the lowest speed, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, rainbow sprinkles, and salt. Mix just until the flour streaks disappear. Do not overmix.
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Use a large cookie scoop to portion the dough into 5 large cookie dough balls.
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Place the cookies on the sheet pan about 1 inch apart. Gently press down the tops to create a slightly flat surface for frosting.
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Bake for 11 minutes. Let the cookies cool before transferring them to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.
For cream cheese frosting
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In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened butter and cream cheese. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then beat again for 2 more minutes.
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With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar, cake batter extract, vanilla, and salt. Mix until combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes.
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Use a rubber spatula to fold in the rainbow sprinkles.
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Once the cookies are completely cool, frost the tops.
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Use a piping bag or plastic bag with a medium-size opening to frost each cookie. Decorate with extra sprinkles.