If you’re looking for a cookie that’s bursting with fun, flavor, and that irresistible creamy texture, then this Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe is absolutely for you. I first tried these cookies on a whim, and honestly, they quickly became a family favorite – the pudding mix creates such a soft, almost cheesecake-like bite, while the rainbow sprinkles add that perfect pop of whimsy and color. Keep reading because I’m sharing all my tips so you get them just right every time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy Texture: The cheesecake pudding mix gives these cookies a soft, tender crumb that’s just heavenly.
- Colorful & Fun: Rainbow sprinkles brighten up every bite, making these cookies perfect for parties or a cheerful snack.
- Easy to Make: You probably have most ingredients in your pantry, and the steps are straightforward—even if you’re a beginner.
- Deliciously Unique: These cookies stand out in any cookie lineup thanks to that cheesecake twist and white chocolate chips.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together to create a cookie that’s tender, flavorful, and packed with surprises. I love how the cheesecake pudding powder changes the game here—it adds richness without any extra effort.
- Flour: All-purpose works best to give the right structure without weighing the cookies down.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough for a perfect soft-chewy texture.
- Cheesecake pudding mix: This is the secret ingredient that brings creaminess—vanilla pudding mix can substitute in a pinch.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Softened, so it creams easily with sugars—don’t melt it, you want it just soft.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that pairs beautifully with the cheesecake flavor.
- Granulated sugar: For that classic sweet crunch.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: A must for depth, vanilla highlights the pudding and white chocolate perfectly.
- White chocolate chips: Melty pockets of sweetness that complement the tangy cheesecake base.
- Rainbow sprinkles: For the funfetti magic—you’ll love how they create little bursts of color and nostalgia.
Variations
I love to play around with this Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have at home. It’s super adaptable and perfect for making your own!
- Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour once, and the texture stayed soft and delicious—just watch your baking time closely.
- Sprinkles Swap: Sometimes I replace rainbow sprinkles with chocolate chip chunks or toffee bits for a grown-up twist.
- Cheesecake Flavor Boost: Mix in a few tablespoons of cream cheese for an even richer cheesecake vibe—just reduce some butter accordingly.
- Mini Cookie Bites: Roll the dough into smaller balls to bake mini cookies that are perfect for lunchboxes or parties.
How to Make Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Gather and Prep Your Ingredients
First things first: preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Having everything ready before you mix really helps keep things moving smoothly, and parchment prevents sticking without extra grease—trust me, it’s a game changer.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cheesecake pudding mix. I find that sifting the flour with the pudding mix helps avoid clumps and makes the dough easier to work with later.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a mixer, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial, as it aerates the dough which helps yield those soft, tender cookies.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract. This builds the structure and adds flavor depth that you’ll appreciate in every bite.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add your dry ingredient mix into the wet ingredients, mixing on a low speed just until it comes together. Overmixing is a common mistake because it can toughen cookies—stop when everything is just combined.
Step 6: Fold in the Fun Add-Ins
Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles and white chocolate chips. I discovered that folding them in by hand keeps the colors vibrant and chips whole, so your cookies look as good as they taste.
Step 7: Scoop and Bake
Scoop the dough into roughly 1-inch balls and place spaced out on your prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes. You’ll want to pull them out when the edges are just starting to turn golden but the centers still look soft—that’s the sweet spot for chewy, creamy cookies.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let your cookies cool on the sheet for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. They’ll be delicate when warm but firm up into the perfect texture as they cool.
Pro Tips for Making Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe
- Butter Temperature Matters: Make sure your butter is softened but not melted to achieve that perfect creamy texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Combining wet and dry ingredients just until mixed helps keep cookies tender, not tough.
- Watch Your Baking Time: Baking a minute or two too long can steal away the softness, so keep a close eye near the end.
- Sprinkle Placement: For an Instagram-worthy look, gently press a few extra sprinkles on top of each cookie before baking.
How to Serve Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I often dust my cookies with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar or add a drizzle of melted white chocolate on top when serving to make them extra festive—plus it adds a little elegance to these fun treats.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a cold glass of milk or a cup of hot coffee or tea. I’ve also served them alongside vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert combo that gets raves from guests every time.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthday parties or celebrations, I like to arrange these cookies in a colorful tiered stand with matching sprinkles in little bowls nearby, so everyone can add a little extra fun on top. They also work beautifully wrapped as gifts, tied with pastel ribbons for an extra touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay soft and flavorful for up to 5 days. I always recommend placing a slice of bread in the container to keep them moist; it really works!
Freezing
Yes! I freeze the unbaked cookie dough balls on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you want fresh cookies, just bake straight from frozen—adding a couple extra minutes to baking time. This trick saves so much time and keeps the funfetti magic fresh.
Reheating
If you have leftover baked cookies, warming them for 10-15 seconds in the microwave revives that soft, gooey texture beautifully. Or pop them in a low oven (300°F) for 5 minutes if you prefer a slightly crisp edge.
FAQs
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Can I use instant pudding mix for the cheesecake flavor?
Absolutely! Using instant cheesecake pudding mix gives you that creamy texture without extra prep. If you don’t have cheesecake flavor, vanilla pudding works as a great substitute with only a slight difference in taste.
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What if I don’t have white chocolate chips?
If you don’t have white chocolate chips, you can swap in regular milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips, or even chunks of your favorite chocolate bar—each option brings its own delicious twist.
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How can I make these cookies less sweet?
To reduce sweetness, cut down granulated sugar slightly and consider using semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips instead of white chocolate. Keep the sprinkle amount moderate, too, since they can add extra sugar.
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Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Doubling is easy—just double all ingredients and bake in batches, making sure not to overcrowd your baking sheets to keep the cookies from spreading too much.
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Why are my cookies flat after baking?
Flat cookies often result from butter being too melted or not enough flour. Make sure the butter is softened but not melted, and measure your flour carefully—too little flour can cause spreading. Also, chilling the dough briefly can help if this continues.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe turned out—it’s such a happy, nostalgic recipe with a creamy twist that your friends and family will rave about. I still remember the first time I pulled these cookies from the oven and saw how soft and colorful they were, and knowing they tasted even better just made my day. Give this recipe a try—and trust me, you’ll find yourself coming back to these cookies again and again for celebrations or just to brighten up a regular weekday.
Print
Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies, a playful twist on classic cookies with a creamy cheesecake pudding mix, white chocolate chips, and vibrant rainbow sprinkles. Perfectly soft and subtly sweet, these cookies bring a festive funfetti flair to your cookie jar, ideal for celebrations or anytime indulgence.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 package (3.4 oz) cheesecake pudding mix (vanilla can be substituted)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 2 cups white chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cheesecake pudding mix until well combined. Set this aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help incorporate air for soft cookies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated for a smooth batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Add-Ins: Gradually add the dry ingredients bowl to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Gently fold in the rainbow sprinkles, followed by the white chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution throughout the dough.
- Scoop Cookie Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to form dough balls about 1 inch in diameter and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden but centers remain soft. Avoid overbaking for maximum softness.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Funfetti Cheesecake Pudding Cookies!
Notes
- Cheesecake pudding mix adds a unique creamy flavor and soft texture to the cookies; vanilla pudding mix can be used as a substitute though flavor will differ slightly.
- Do not overbake to keep cookies soft and chewy.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and use a suitable pudding mix.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and aid cleanup.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg