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As a long-time fan of the show and someone who can’t resist a good baking challenge, I was inspired to recreate Melissa Gorga sprinkle cookies magic in my own kitchen.
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How to make Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies
Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies are an Italian-style cookie popularized by Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga, who often shares family recipes inspired by her Italian heritage.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup colorful sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C): Warm up your oven so it’s ready to bake these delicious cookies.
- Cream the butter and sugar together: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a smooth dough.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract: Mix in the egg until fully incorporated, followed by the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well blended.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Fold in the sprinkles: Gently fold the sprinkles into the dough using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break the sprinkles and cause the colors to run.
- Shape the cookies: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll into balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes: Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. The centers may look slightly underdone, but they will continue to cook as they cool.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies
- Room temperature butter is crucial: Make sure your butter is at room temperature. Soft butter creams more smoothly with sugar, creating the best texture for your Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies.
- Accurate measurement of flour: Over-measuring flour can result in dry Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies. Use the spoon and level method to ensure precision.
- Chilling the dough (optional): If you want thicker cookies that don’t spread as much, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Avoid overbaking: Cookies will continue to bake slightly as they cool on the baking sheet. Removing them when the edges are just lightly browned will keep them soft and tender.
- Experiment with different sprinkles: Melissa Gorga’s Sprinkle Cookies are all about fun and personality. Try different sprinkle shapes, sizes, and colors to customize your cookies.
What to serve with
Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies are delicious, buttery, and packed with colorful fun! But what makes any dessert shine even more is pairing it with the right drink or complementing dishes.
1. Hot Beverages
Hot drinks always pair wonderfully with baked cookies, and Melissa Gorga’s Sprinkle Cookies are no different. The sweetness of the cookies balances well with these options:
- Coffee: Try serving your cookies with a cup of bold, black coffee or cappuccino. Opt for lightly sweetened lattes, hazelnut-flavored coffee, or even a caramel macchiato for a more dessert-like pairing. The creamy coffee notes blend beautifully with the buttery cookies.
- Tea: A warm cup of tea, such as Earl Grey, chamomile, or Darjeeling, complements the delicate sweetness. If you like herbal teas, mint or vanilla rooibos tea pairs wonderfully with the festive vibe of the cookies.
- Hot Cocoa: For a luxurious experience, serve the cookies with a cup of rich hot chocolate. Add whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder on top for an irresistible dessert combination.
2. Cold Beverages
For a refreshing twist, particularly during warm weather or casual gatherings, cold drinks can be a hit:
- Milk: You can never go wrong with classic cold milk. Whether you prefer whole, almond, or oat milk, the creamy texture is a nostalgic and satisfying pairing.
- Milkshakes: Serve the Sprinkle Cookies alongside a vanilla or strawberry milkshake. The creamy and thick texture of the milkshake enhances the richness of the cookies. Try blending sprinkles directly into the shake for a playful option.
- Iced Coffee or Tea: A chilled version of your favorite coffee or lightly sweetened iced tea makes a refreshing pairing, especially during summer.
- Sparkling Lemonade: The tangy, citrusy bubbles of lemonade provide a light contrast to the sweetness of the cookies. You can even add a splash of sparkling water to elevate it.
Ingredients Substitutes
Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies are fun, festive, and irresistibly delicious. But when you’re missing an ingredient or want to tweak the recipe to meet dietary preferences or restrictions, don’t worry!
1. Butter Substitutes
Butter is essential for creating the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies. However, there are excellent alternatives:
- Unsalted Margarine: Use an equivalent amount of unsalted margarine as a 1:1 replacement for butter. This is great for those avoiding dairy, but note that it may slightly affect the flavor.
- Coconut Oil: Replace butter with coconut oil at a 1:1 ratio. Opt for refined coconut oil if you don’t want a coconut flavor in your cookies. Coconut oil will give the cookies a slightly crispier edge.
- Vegan Butter: Plant-based butters work well for a vegan version of this recipe. Brands like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s Creamery are popular choices.
- Applesauce (for a portion of the butter): For a healthier option, you can replace half the butter with unsweetened applesauce. This reduces fat but keeps the cookies moist. (Example: Use ½ cup butter + ½ cup applesauce for a total of 1 cup butter.)
2. Sugar Substitutes
The original recipe calls for granulated sugar, but you can easily tweak it:
- Coconut Sugar: Swap granulated sugar with coconut sugar at a 1:1 ratio. It provides a hint of caramel-like flavor and is slightly lower on the glycemic index.
- Brown Sugar: Using all brown sugar instead of granulated sugar gives the cookies a chewier texture and deeper molasses flavor.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Replace sugar with an equal amount of honey or maple syrup. Keep in mind that these liquid sweeteners will make the cookies slightly softer, so you may need to reduce the overall wet ingredients slightly.
- Monk Fruit Sweetener or Stevia: For a low-calorie or sugar-free option, opt for natural sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia. Look for a granulated version that measures 1:1 with sugar.
3. Egg Substitutes
Eggs provide structure and richness to the cookies, but there are effective substitutes if you’re baking egg-free:
- Flax Egg: Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2 ½ tablespoons of water and let it sit for 5 minutes. This forms a gel-like consistency, making it an ideal option for vegan or egg-free baking.
- Applesauce: Replace one egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. This adds moisture but won’t provide as much structure, resulting in a slightly denser cookie.
- Mashed Banana: A ripe banana (about ¼ cup) can replace one egg. However, this will add a slight banana flavor to the cookies.
- Plain Yogurt: Use ¼ cup of plain yogurt or dairy-free yogurt as an egg substitute. It gives the cookies a soft, moist texture.
4. Flour Substitutes
All-purpose flour is the classic choice, but there are alternatives for gluten-free or different textures:
- Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour: For a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend (such as Bob’s Red Mill). Make sure the mix contains xanthan gum for binding.
- Almond Flour or Coconut Flour: Almond and coconut flours are great for grain-free and low-carb versions. Note that coconut flour absorbs more liquid, so use 1/3 of the amount and add an extra egg or liquid to adjust the dough consistency.
- Whole Wheat Flour: To make the cookies a bit healthier, substitute half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. It may result in a slightly nuttier taste.
5. Baking Powder Substitute
Baking powder is the leavening agent that gives these cookies a touch of lift. If you’ve run out, you can create your own:
- DIY Baking Powder: Combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of cream of tartar to make 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
- Baking Soda + Acid: Use ¼ teaspoon baking soda mixed with ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
6. Vanilla Extract Substitutes
Vanilla extract adds warmth and aroma to the cookies. If you’re out or want to experiment with flavor, try these options:
- Almond Extract: Replace vanilla with almond extract for a delicate, nutty flavor. It’s more concentrated, so adjust to ½ the amount (e.g., 1 teaspoon of almond extract for every 2 teaspoons of vanilla).
- Citrus Zest or Juice: Add a teaspoon of lemon, orange, or lime zest for a tangy twist.
- Maple Syrup: Use a 1:1 ratio of pure maple syrup to replace vanilla—it adds a sweet and subtle flavor.
7. Sprinkle Substitutes
The sprinkles lend Melissa Gorga’s cookies their signature fun and festive vibe. But if you want to switch things up:
- Chocolate Chips: Use mini chocolate chips for a decadent alternative.
- Chopped Nuts: Finely chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts provide a crunchy texture (and a sophisticated twist).
- Shredded Coconut: Add unsweetened or sweetened shredded coconut for a tropical touch.
- Crushed Candy: For a unique twist, replace sprinkles with crushed candy canes, M&M’s, or other small candies.
Final Thoughts
Baking Melissa Gorga Sprinkle Cookies should be fun and creative, so don’t hesitate to experiment based on what’s in your pantry or your dietary needs.
More Cookies Recipes:
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup colorful sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C): Warm up your oven so it’s ready to bake these delicious cookies.
- Cream the butter and sugar together: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is crucial for creating a smooth dough.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract: Mix in the egg until fully incorporated, followed by the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well blended.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients: Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
- Fold in the sprinkles: Gently fold the sprinkles into the dough using a spatula. Be careful not to overmix, as this can break the sprinkles and cause the colors to run.
- Shape the cookies: Using a tablespoon or a cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll into balls. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes: Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are just beginning to turn golden brown. The centers may look slightly underdone, but they will continue to cook as they cool.
- Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
