
Jump into these lively Vanilla Pudding Cookies packed with rainbow sprinkles. They’re gooey inside, crunchy around the edge, and loaded with colors. Whip them up for any celebration or just when your sweet tooth kicks in.
Irresistible Reasons to Try These Cookies
Tossing pudding mix into your dough turns every bite extra velvety with a hit of vanilla. Want to kick things up? A dash of almond extract turns them next-level tasty. They stay awesome for days, freeze nicely, and could totally fool you for those from a real-deal bakery.
What You’ll Need
- Pudding Mix: 1 box of instant vanilla pudding
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Sugar: 1 cup white sugar
- Butter: 1 cup, nice and soft, but not liquidy
- Eggs: 1 full egg plus one extra yolk
- Vanilla: 1½ teaspoons
- Sprinkles: ½ cup, use some more for extra fun on top
- Flour: 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Almond Extract: ¼ teaspoon (can totally skip it if that's not in your pantry)
Simple Steps to Make Them
- Cool Down:
- Chill your dough balls in the freezer for 20 minutes
- Prep Pans:
- Line two trays with parchment paper
- Get Oven Hot:
- Fire up your oven to 350°
- Ready Dry Mix:
- Blend together pudding mix, baking soda, and flour in a bowl
- Wet Mixing:
- Whip butter and sugar for two minutes until fluffy clouds form
- Egg Time:
- Add the egg and vanilla, mix 'til it looks smooth
- Add Dry:
- Gently sprinkle the dry mix into the wet mix
- Get Sprinkly:
- Pour in your rainbow sprinkles and fold them in
- Shape ‘Em:
- Roll your dough into little balls, press extra sprinkles on top if you like
- Bake ‘Em:
- Let them bake for 12 or 13 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown
- Let ‘Em Cool:
- Rest hot cookies for 3 minutes, then move to a rack so they don’t get soggy
- Measure Flour Right:
- Scoop flour with a spoon and level it off for good cookies

What Makes Everyone Crave These
There's something special about these cookies. They're chewy inside, have a crisp edge, and the bursts of color make every bite fun. Whether you want to cheer someone up or celebrate, they're just the thing.
How Pudding Mix Changes Everything
Pudding mix is the secret here. It keeps every cookie soft and full of that vanilla taste. For an extra kick, a bit of almond extract takes the flavor up a notch.
Stay Fresh Tips
Keep your cookies in an airtight box and they’ll stay soft for a few days. Throw in a piece of bread or a couple marshmallows if you want them to hang around even longer. Odds are they won’t stick around anyway!
How to Freeze Dough
Make extra dough balls, freeze them on a tray, then pop them in a freezer bag. When you need a cookie fix, bake straight from the freezer—just tack on one more minute in the oven.
Sharing as Sweet Treats
These cookies are awesome as gifts. Pop them into a cute jar or pretty box, and you’re set. Brightens up birthdays or makes anyone feel special just because.

Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is imitation vanilla okay?
Absolutely! It works fine and costs less. While real vanilla gives a richer taste, the cookies still turn out great with the fake stuff.
- → What if I don’t have almond extract?
No worries. Just double the amount of vanilla extract instead. The cookies will still be flavorful with a smooth vanilla touch.
- → Do I have to chill the dough?
It’s a good idea since it stops the cookies from spreading too much and helps keep a nice shape. If you’re in a pinch, skip it, but they might end up flatter and softer.
- → Can I prep them ahead?
Sure thing! Roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray, then store in a container. When you’re ready, bake from frozen—just give them a couple extra minutes in the oven.
- → What’s a dairy-free swap?
Replace the butter with coconut oil. The cookies stay soft and take on a light coconut flavor—it’s a simple and tasty alternative!
Conclusion
If you enjoyed these cookies, why not experiment with sugar cookies or add sprinkles in different colors? Got pudding mix? Try whipping up some fudgy pudding brownies too!