Name: Christmas Sandwich Cookies with Colorful Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; ¾ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 1 ½ cups holiday M&Ms; ½ cup mini chocolate chips; ½ cup holiday sprinkles; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 5 cups sifted powdered sugar; Pinch of fine sea salt; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons whole milk; Green gel food coloring; Red gel food coloring

Jump to Recipe· 4.2 from 1 review

I absolutely adore making these Christmas Sandwich Cookies with Colorful Buttercream Frosting Recipe every holiday season. There is something so joyful about biting into the soft, chewy cookies packed with chocolate chips, M&Ms, and festive sprinkles, paired perfectly with the fluffy, vibrant buttercream sandwiched between them. This recipe brings a merry burst of color and flavor that instantly lifts the spirit and makes any gathering feel extra special. I love how approachable the ingredients and steps are, making it a fun project whether you're baking for family, friends, or even just yourself.

Why You'll Love This Christmas Sandwich Cookies with Colorful Buttercream Frosting Recipe

One of the reasons I'm so passionate about this recipe is the wonderful balance it strikes between flavor and texture. The cookies are soft and chewy, not at all dry or crumbly, with just enough crispness around the edges. The chocolate chips add gooey pockets of richness, while the M&Ms provide a fruity, crunchy surprise. The sprinkles bring that extra festive pop, making every bite exciting and cheerful. Topped with the lightest, fluffiest buttercream frosting in gorgeous holiday colors, these cookies are as delicious as they are visually stunning.

What really makes this recipe stand out to me is how simple it is to prepare without sacrificing any of that wow factor. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, you’ll find the steps straightforward and enjoyable. Plus, I love serving these for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or even just Sunday afternoon treats by the fire. They’re the perfect little festive pick-me-up that’s sure to impress without hours of fussing in the kitchen.

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows a white marbled surface with several clear glass bowls and small dishes arranged neatly. There is a large white plate filled with light beige flour, next to a large clear bowl of brown sugar. Another clear bowl holds white granulated sugar, and a butter stick wrapped in yellow paper sits beside them. There is a glass measuring cup filled with lots of red and green candies, and a smaller clear bowl with red, white, and green sprinkle shapes. A small white dish contains dark brown vanilla liquid. There are two white eggs, and three small blue bowls hold white powders including baking soda and salt. A large clear bowl contains powdered sugar, with a small glass cup of cream nearby. All ingredients are evenly spaced on the white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are simple staples you might already have at home, but each plays a crucial role in creating the perfect cookie texture and colorful frosting that pops. From the buttery base of the cookies to the festive sprinkles and gel food colors, every item adds flavor, texture, or that signature holiday cheer.

Tip!

You’ll find all ingredient quantities in the recipe card below.

All-purpose flour: Provides the structure and chewiness essential to these cookies.
Cornstarch: Helps keep the cookies soft and tender by lightening the texture.
Baking soda: Gives just the right amount of lift for perfect softness.
Fine sea salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors and balances the dough.
Unsalted butter: The base of both the cookie dough and frosting, adding richness and creaminess.
Granulated and light brown sugars: Brown sugar adds moisture and a gentle caramel note while granulated sugar keeps the cookies crisp around the edges.
Large eggs: Bind the dough together and provide moisture.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to both cookie and frosting.
Holiday M&Ms: Add festive color and crunchy texture inside the cookies.
Mini chocolate chips: Melt into small pockets of gooey chocolate throughout.
Holiday sprinkles: For extra fun and festive decoration from within the cookie.
Powdered sugar: The essential sweet base for the light and fluffy buttercream.
Fine salt (for frosting): Balances the sweetness for a perfectly flavored frosting.
Whole milk: Adds smoothness and the right consistency to the frosting.
Gel food coloring (red and green): Creates vibrant holiday colors without altering the frosting’s texture.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt until fully combined; this dry mix ensures a consistent blend for your cookie dough.

Step 3: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter with both sugars on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the mixture turns pale and fluffy—this step is crucial for light, soft cookies.

Step 4: Add the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract for that warm, inviting flavor.

Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined; be sure to scrape down the bowl to incorporate any flour from the sides.

Step 6: Stir in the holiday M&Ms and mini chocolate chips until evenly distributed, then fold in the holiday sprinkles with a spatula for a festive touch.

Step 7: Scoop the dough in 2-tablespoon portions and roll them into slightly taller than wide balls—this helps control spreading and keeps the cookies soft and thick.

Step 8: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced apart, and bake for 11-12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and tops look set but not browned; avoid overbaking to maintain chewiness.

Step 9: Right out of the oven, gently press a few extra M&Ms, chocolate chips, and sprinkles onto the surface for a pretty presentation, then let the cookies cool on the baking tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: While the cookies bake, prepare the filling by creaming the butter with the paddle attachment until smooth in a large bowl or mixer bowl.

Step 11: Add sifted powdered sugar gradually, mixing until incorporated and fluffy—then stir in the salt, vanilla, and milk, and beat on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes for a light, airy buttercream.

Step 12: Divide the frosting evenly into three bowls. Color one with red gel coloring, one with green, and leave the last plain white, stirring each until you reach your desired hue.

Step 13: Transfer each color into piping bags or resealable plastic bags with the tips snipped off, then pipe a dollop of each color onto the bottom of half your cooled cookies.

Step 14: Top each frosted cookie with another cookie, pressing gently to form delightful sandwich cookies. Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.

Servings and Timing

This recipe makes approximately 22 sandwich cookies, perfect for sharing or gifting during the holidays. Prep time is about 15 minutes, giving you just enough time to gather your ingredients and mix the dough. Baking will take 12 minutes per batch, and cooling plus frosting assembly adds about another 10-15 minutes, bringing the total time to roughly 27 minutes. A short resting time after baking is important to ensure the cookies hold their shape and the frosting spreads beautifully.

How to Serve This Christmas Sandwich Cookies with Colorful Buttercream Frosting Recipe

A close-up of a woman's hand holding a cookie sandwich made of two golden-brown cookies with chocolate chips and red and green candy pieces on top. Inside the sandwich are two layers of frosting, one red and one white, creating a festive look. In the background, several similar cookie sandwiches are spread out on a white marbled surface, with bright red and green candy pieces scattered around. There are two small green Christmas tree decorations blurred in the background, along with warm yellow string lights creating a cozy, festive scene. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

I love serving these sandwich cookies as a centerpiece on a festive holiday cookie platter, accompanied by other seasonal treats like peppermint bark or gingerbread men. Their vibrant colors make them a natural conversation starter! Arranging them on a pretty plate, maybe dusted lightly with powdered sugar or adorned with a sprig of holly nearby, really amplifies the seasonal charm.

For beverages, I always find these cookies pair wonderfully with a rich hot cocoa topped with whipped cream or a warm cup of spiced chai tea to complement the buttery sweetness. If you want to elevate your party, a small glass of mulled wine or even a holiday-themed cocktail like a cranberry mule adds a lovely cozy touch.

These cookies are best served at room temperature so the buttercream stays soft and creamy, allowing each bite to melt delightfully on your tongue. They make fantastic treats for holiday parties, family dinners, or festive afternoon coffee breaks. Just a couple per serving feels like the perfect indulgence without being overwhelming.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Christmas Sandwich Cookies with Colorful Buttercream Frosting Recipe is how versatile it can be. If you want to swap out the M&Ms for another candy, feel free to try chopped candy canes for a minty twist or dried cranberries for a bit of tartness that contrasts beautifully with the sweet buttercream.

If you’re baking for someone with gluten intolerance, I’ve had great success using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour—just be sure to chill the dough a bit longer to help it hold together. For those who prefer vegan desserts, substituting the butter for plant-based margarine and using a flax egg or commercial egg replacer works surprisingly well, although the texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Flavor-wise, you can customize the buttercream by swapping the vanilla extract for peppermint extract to amp up the holiday vibe. Or, try adding a handful of crushed toasted pecans into the frosting for some extra crunch. If you want a less sweet version, cutting back the powdered sugar in the frosting slightly or swapping half the granulated sugar in the dough for coconut sugar adds a subtle earthy tone.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, I recommend storing these sandwich cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They keep wonderfully at room temperature for about 3 to 4 days, staying soft and fresh thanks to the rich butter in the frosting and dough. Avoid storing them in damp spots, which can cause the sprinkles and cookies to become soggy.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully, which makes them perfect for prepping in advance. Place the sandwich cookies on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag with parchment paper layers. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them overnight at room temperature—this keeps the frosting creamy and the cookie soft.

Reheating

Since these are sandwich cookies with buttercream, I recommend avoiding microwaving as it can melt the frosting too much and make the cookies overly soft. Instead, bring them back to room temperature naturally after freezing. If you’d like a slightly warm cookie experience, I gently warm a plain cookie before assembling sandwiches to keep the frosting intact and enjoy that freshly baked warmth.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate chips instead of mini ones?

Absolutely! Regular-sized chocolate chips will work just fine, though they might create larger pockets of chocolate. I find mini chocolate chips distribute a bit more evenly, but using what you have on hand is perfectly okay.

What if I don’t have gel food coloring? Can I use liquid food coloring?

You can use liquid food coloring, but I recommend using it sparingly to avoid thinning out the frosting. Gel food colors are more concentrated, so they maintain the frosting’s texture while giving vibrant colors perfect for holiday cookies.

How do I make sure my cookies stay soft and chewy?

Key tips are to not overbake them and to use cornstarch in the dough, which helps keep the cookies tender. Also, rolling the dough into slightly taller, rounder shapes limits spreading and ensures a nice chewy center.

Can these cookies be made ahead of time?

Definitely! You can bake the cookies a day or two before serving and store them in an airtight container. I usually wait to frost them until the day of the event so the buttercream stays fresh and creamy.

What’s the best way to pipe the multi-colored frosting?

I like to fill three piping bags, one for each color, and snip just the tip off each. Then I pipe small dollops of red, green, and white next to each other right onto the cookie before sandwiching. It creates a pretty, festive swirl inside that’s so fun and colorful.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a cheerful, colorful, and downright delicious treat to brighten up your holiday season, I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this Christmas Sandwich Cookies with Colorful Buttercream Frosting Recipe. It’s simple, fun, and packed with festive flavors that bring smiles to every bite. From the chewy, candy-studded cookies to the fluffy, tri-colored frosting, these sandwiches are sure to become a cherished tradition in your holiday baking repertoire. I can’t wait for you to make them and share the joy!