Wholesome Birthday Cake Cookies with Sprinkle Frosting
These soft, cake-like cookies with creamy sprinkle frosting are a healthier recreation of a beloved bakery treat. Made with whole wheat pastry flour and Greek yogurt, they deliver celebration flavor without the sugar crash.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (180g) whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup (100g) coconut sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- ¼ cup (60g) Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ cup (40g) rainbow sprinkles (jimmies style)
- 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter and coconut sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in egg, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and almond extract until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in rainbow sprinkles gently.
- Chill dough in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes (optional but recommended).
- Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden and centers are set.
- Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- For frosting: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating on low speed. Add vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk, beat on medium speed until fluffy. Add more milk if needed.
- Spread frosting on completely cooled cookies and top immediately with extra sprinkles. Let frosting set for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Room temperature ingredients are crucial for best texture. Check baking powder expiration date for proper lift. Let cookies cool completely before frosting to avoid melting. For vegan version, use coconut oil, flax egg, dairy-free yogurt, and vegan cream cheese. For gluten-free, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and add extra tablespoon of yogurt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie with frosti
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: birthday cake cookies, sprinkle cookies, healthy cookies, whole wheat cookies, cream cheese frosting, celebration cookies