Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies
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If you’re after truly soft, thick Funfetti Cookies, this recipe delivers. Made with vanilla pudding mix, they bake up soft and chewy with a tender texture and a rich vanilla flavor, plus plenty of colorful sprinkles for that classic birthday cake vibe. They stay soft for days and strike the perfect balance of sweetness—without an overpowering artificial sprinkle taste. They’re the kind of cookies everyone keeps reaching for, kids and adults alike.
What better way to celebrate than with Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies? I’ve tried making sprinkle cookies before, but they often ended up tasting a little too much like sprinkles—so I set out to fix that.
The solution? A simple addition of vanilla pudding mix and a touch of almond extract. Not only does the pudding mix add a light, sweet flavor, but it also improves the texture. The added starches help the cookies spread less as they bake, creating a thicker, softer, more tender cookie.
My family could not get enough of these cookies! I ended up making two batches while testing (with a few small tweaks along the way), and they disappeared just as fast both times. They’ve quickly become one of those recipes that never lasts long once they’re made.
Party or no party, you’ve got to try these cookies. They’re fun, flavorful, and always a hit with both kids and adults.
Below you’ll find everything you need to make these soft and colorful Funfetti cookies at home.
Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies Recipe Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: This builds the structure of the cookies. Use standard all-purpose flour for best results.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread just enough while keeping them soft.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Use softened butter for proper creaming. This adds richness and helps create that soft, tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to their lightly crisp edges.
- Egg + egg yolk: The extra yolk adds richness and helps create a softer, chewier texture.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, classic flavor that pairs perfectly with the sprinkles.
- Almond extract: Just a small amount gives these cookies that subtle bakery-style flavor that makes them extra special.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: The key ingredient! It adds sweetness, helps the cookies stay soft, and keeps them thick with minimal spreading.
- Rainbow jimmies sprinkles: Use jimmies (the long, soft sprinkles) for best results—they won’t bleed color like nonpareils.
How to Make Funfetti Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pans. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
Whisk dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt for about 20 seconds. Set aside.
Cream butter and sugar: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix in wet ingredients: Add egg, then egg yolk, and blend in vanilla extract and almond extract. Mix in vanilla pudding mix until combined.
Combine with dry ingredients: With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined (dough may seem slightly dry at first but will come together).
Add sprinkles: Fold in rainbow sprinkles until evenly distributed.
Scoop and shape: Scoop dough into balls (about 2 Tbsp each) and place on prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra sprinkles onto tops if desired.
Bake cookies: Bake until edges are set and centers look slightly underdone, about 9–10 minutes.
Cool: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet several minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Storing Funfetti Cookies
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- Store parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent sticking.
- Cookies freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Cookie dough can be frozen. Scoop into balls, freeze, then bake from frozen, adding 1 to 2 extra minutes to the bake time.
Follow Cooking Classy
Funfetti Pudding Mix Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 14 Tbsp unsalted butter , softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 (3.5 oz) pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix
- 2/3 cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies) , plus more for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking soda and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Mix in egg, then blend in egg yolk, vanilla extract and almond extract. Stir in vanilla pudding mix.
- With mixer set on low speed, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix until combined (batter will seem dry at first but it will start to come together. Stir in 2/3 cup sprinkles.
- Scoop dough out using a medium 1 1/2-inch cookie scoop (or 2 Tbsp at time) and shape into balls. Drop onto Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheets, spacing cookies 2-inches apart. Gently press a few more sprinkles into tops. Bake in preheated oven 9 - 10 minutes.
- Allow to cool on baking sheet several minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.
