CRAMBL BIRTHDAY CAKE COOKIES

Have you ever wished you could have birthday cake flavor in one chewy, soft, cookie-sized bite?

What if I told you that you can have all the sweetness, funfetti sprinkles, and creamy frosting of a birthday cake — without baking an entire cake? That’s exactly what Crambl Birthday Cake Cookies deliver. These little treats are soft, buttery, and bursting with that nostalgic cake flavor we all love. Whether it’s your birthday or just a Tuesday, these cookies will make any day feel like a celebration.

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These Crambl Birthday Cake Cookies are a joyful mix between soft sugar cookies and classic funfetti cake. They’re easy to make, require simple pantry ingredients, and can be ready in about 30 minutes from start to finish.

The recipe is perfect for beginner bakers — no chilling, no complicated doughs, and no fancy equipment. The cookies bake up thick and fluffy with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, topped with a silky vanilla frosting and colorful sprinkles for that signature “birthday” vibe.

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10–12 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 large cookies

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

• They taste exactly like birthday cake — in cookie form!
• Soft, thick, and perfectly chewy centers
• Fun to decorate with frosting, sprinkles, or even a raspberry on top
• Perfect for parties, gifts, or whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these Crambl Birthday Cake Cookies:

For the Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened – gives a rich, creamy base.
  Substitute: Use margarine or vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
• ¾ cup granulated sugar – adds sweetness and helps the cookies spread just the right amount.
• ½ cup brown sugar – adds moisture and depth of flavor.
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk – creates a soft, chewy texture.
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – gives that classic birthday cake flavor.
• 2 cups all-purpose flour – for structure.
  Variation: Swap with 1-to-1 gluten-free flour for a GF option.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder – helps the cookies puff up.
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda – adds lightness.
• ¼ teaspoon salt – balances the sweetness.
• ½ cup rainbow sprinkles (jimmies style) – for that signature birthday cake color.
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips (optional) – adds creamy sweetness.

For the Frosting

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: a drop of almond extract for extra cake flavor.

Decorations

• Extra sprinkles or colored sugar
• Fresh raspberries (like in the photo!)
• Edible confetti or crushed candy for fun texture

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This keeps the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is key — it traps air in the butter, giving your cookies that perfect soft and puffy texture.

Tip: Use a hand mixer or stand mixer for best results, beating for 2–3 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Add in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, then beat again until smooth and creamy. The extra egg yolk adds richness and helps keep the cookies tender.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until everything just comes together.

Don’t overmix! Overmixing can make cookies tough instead of soft.

Step 5: Add the Fun

Fold in your rainbow sprinkles and optional white chocolate chips. You’ll start to see that cheerful “birthday cake” look come alive in the dough.

Step 6: Shape the Cookies

Use a medium cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons of dough) to portion out balls onto the baking sheet. Flatten them slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon.

Tip: For bakery-style cookies, chill the dough for 15 minutes before baking. This helps them stay thick and soft.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look a bit soft. They’ll continue to bake slightly as they cool.

Cool the cookies on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

While your cookies cool, make the creamy vanilla frosting.

In a bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low until combined. Add vanilla extract and cream (or milk), then whip for 1–2 minutes until light and fluffy.

For a slightly thicker frosting (perfect for piping), add more powdered sugar. For a glossier, softer finish, add a touch more cream.

Assembly and Decoration

Now for the fun part — turning your cookies into little birthday celebrations!

1. Once cookies are cool, spoon or pipe the frosting onto each one in a thick swirl.
2. Add sprinkles, colored sugar, or confetti while the frosting is still soft.
3. Top with a fresh raspberry or a piece of candy for an elegant finish (like the ones in the photo).

Presentation Tip: Arrange them on a bright platter or tiered stand for a party-ready display. The colorful sprinkles and glossy frosting make them irresistible!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

• Room Temperature: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Refrigerated: For longer storage (up to 1 week), keep them in the fridge. Let them sit at room temperature before serving for the best texture.
• Freezing: You can freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost when ready to serve.

Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the dough ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for up to 48 hours before baking.

Recipe Variations

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some creative twists:

• Chocolate Birthday Cake Cookies: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dough and top with chocolate frosting.
• Lemon Confetti Cookies: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the dough and use lemon frosting for a bright, tangy twist.
• Vegan Version: Use plant-based butter and 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water).
• Stuffed Cookies: Add a small scoop of frosting or white chocolate inside each dough ball before baking for a gooey center.

Healthier Swaps

If you’d like to make these a bit lighter:

• Replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce for fewer calories.
• Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar for a lower glycemic option.
• Choose natural, dye-free sprinkles for a cleaner ingredient list.

These small changes keep the flavor and fun without the guilt!

Conclusion

Birthday cake lovers — this one’s for you! These Crambl Birthday Cake Cookies are the perfect combination of soft, chewy, and delightfully festive. They bring the joy of cake and the ease of cookies together in one perfect dessert.

They’re simple enough for a weekday bake but impressive enough for parties, bake sales, or gifting. Once you make them, they’ll quickly become your go-to celebration cookie — no candles required.

So next time you crave that nostalgic “birthday cake” flavor, skip the box mix and whip up a batch of these cookies. Every bite is a little celebration!

FAQs

Q1: Can I use cake mix for these cookies?
Yes! You can replace the dry ingredients with 1 box of vanilla cake mix. Skip the baking powder and soda, and follow the rest of the recipe.

Q2: Why are my cookies flat?
Your butter might have been too soft or warm. Try chilling the dough before baking next time to keep them thick.

Q3: Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely — just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. They’ll still turn out soft and fluffy.

Q4: How can I make the frosting less sweet?
Add a pinch of salt or a tablespoon of cream cheese to balance the sweetness.

Q5: Can I frost them ahead of time?
Yes! Just store frosted cookies in a single layer in an airtight container. They stay fresh and soft for several days.

Q6: Do I have to add sprinkles?
Not at all — you can skip them or use chopped nuts, dried fruit, or chocolate chips instead.

These Crambl Birthday Cake Cookies are more than just dessert — they’re pure happiness in every bite. So grab your mixing bowl, turn on some music, and start baking. Because every day deserves a little celebration!