Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies

These Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies are soft, buttery, and sprinkled with joy in every bite. Swirled with rich vanilla frosting and dotted with colorful confetti, they’re the kind of cookies that make every day feel like a celebration. Whether you’re recreating Crumbl’s magic at home or just baking for fun, this recipe is all about indulgence, fun, and a little sprinkle-covered nostalgia.

Behind the Recipe

The first time I tried a Crumbl birthday cake cookie, I was hooked. There was something about the tender crumb, the thick swirl of frosting, and that unmistakable birthday cake flavor that brought me straight back to childhood parties. Naturally, I had to recreate them at home—and after a few batches (and many happy taste tests), this version was born. It’s buttery, soft, perfectly sweet, and absolutely party-worthy.

Recipe Origin or Trivia

Crumbl Cookies have taken the dessert world by storm with their over-the-top, bakery-style creations. Their birthday cake cookie is one of the most popular—a hybrid between a sugar cookie and a funfetti cake, topped with luscious buttercream and rainbow sprinkles. It channels classic American birthday flavors, with a nod to funfetti cake mixes that have been a party staple since the 1980s.

Why You’ll Love Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies

These cookies aren’t just sweet treats—they’re edible joy. Here’s why you’ll want to bake them on repeat:

Versatile: Perfect for birthdays, holidays, bake sales, or just because.

Budget-Friendly: Uses basic pantry staples and costs less than a Crumbl box.

Quick and Easy: No chilling required and ready in under 30 minutes.

Customizable: Change the frosting color, swap in seasonal sprinkles, or make mini versions.

Crowd-Pleasing: Soft, sweet, and nostalgic—everyone loves a good birthday cookie.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Bake the cookies ahead and frost when ready to serve.

Great for Leftovers: They stay soft for days and even freeze well.

Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results

For bakery-style cookies that look and taste just like Crumbl’s, follow these tips:

• Use room temperature butter for the smoothest dough and frosting.
• Don’t overmix—stir just until combined to keep them tender.
• Scoop large cookie dough balls to mimic that Crumbl-sized look.
• Let the cookies cool completely before frosting for a clean swirl.
• Use a piping bag with a large round tip to get that iconic spiral of frosting.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need a bakery setup to get bakery results—just these basics:

Mixing Bowls: One for dry and one for wet ingredients.

Electric Mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugar a breeze.

Cookie Scoop: For evenly sized, bakery-style cookies.

Baking Sheet & Parchment Paper: Ensures even baking and easy cleanup.

Piping Bag with Round Tip: For that signature frosting swirl.

Offset Spatula (optional): Handy for smoothing frosting.

Ingredients in Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies

These cookies are all about building buttery, vanilla-forward flavor with colorful sprinkles and soft texture.

1. All-Purpose Flour: 2 3/4 cups, provides the structure for thick, soft cookies.
2. Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon, keeps the cookies tender and melt-in-your-mouth soft.
3. Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon, helps them rise just the right amount.
4. Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon, reacts with the acid for a little lift.
5. Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, balances the sweetness.
6. Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), softened. Gives a rich, buttery flavor.
7. Granulated Sugar: 3/4 cup, sweetens the cookie base.
8. Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup, adds a slight chew and caramel note.
9. Eggs: 2 large, binds the dough and adds richness.
10. Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, key to the cake batter flavor.
11. Rainbow Sprinkles: 1/3 cup, folded into the dough for that birthday cake vibe.
12. Powdered Sugar: 2 cups, used in the frosting for a smooth, sweet finish.

Ingredient Substitutions

Need to tweak things a bit? Here’s how:

Unsalted Butter: Use salted, just reduce added salt to 1/4 teaspoon.

Brown Sugar: Replace with more white sugar if needed, though the flavor will be lighter.

Rainbow Sprinkles: Swap for chocolate jimmies or seasonal colored sprinkles.

Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder can also work as a tenderizer.

Vanilla Extract: Almond extract adds a bakery twist if you love a nuttier finish.

Ingredient Spotlight

Rainbow Sprinkles: These aren’t just for decoration—they add pops of sweetness and fun color that make these cookies feel instantly festive.

Cornstarch: A secret weapon for soft cookies, it lightens the flour and makes each bite tender without crumbling.

Instructions for Making Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies

Ready to bake up some joy? Here’s how to do it, step by step:

1. Preheat Your Equipment:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine Ingredients:
   In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Prepare Your Cooking Vessel:
   In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until just combined.
4. Assemble the Dish:
   Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir in rainbow sprinkles until evenly distributed. Scoop large dough balls (about 3 tablespoons each) onto prepared baking sheets.
5. Cook to Perfection:
   Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set and centers look puffed. Do not overbake—they’ll continue to set as they cool.
6. Finishing Touches:
   Let cookies cool completely. Meanwhile, beat butter and powdered sugar for frosting until smooth. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk and vanilla to reach desired consistency. Pipe onto cookies in a swirl.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
   Top with extra sprinkles and enjoy! These cookies are perfect slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Texture & Flavor Secrets

These cookies are soft and thick with a subtle chew at the edges. The center stays tender, almost cake-like, thanks to the cornstarch. The frosting is creamy, rich, and sweet, offering that perfect balance to the buttery base. And the sprinkles? They add a tiny crunch and a whole lot of fun.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Here are some ways to guarantee bakery-style results:

• Chill dough for 10–15 minutes if it’s too soft to scoop.
• Use high-quality butter and real vanilla for best flavor.
• Don’t press the cookies before baking—let them puff naturally.
• Add extra sprinkles on top right before baking for a fun look.

What to Avoid

Avoid these common cookie mishaps:

• Overmixing the dough: Can make cookies dense.
• Overbaking: Cookies should be slightly underdone in the center.
• Using melted butter: Will cause cookies to spread too much.
• Frosting warm cookies: Wait until fully cooled or frosting will melt.

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 12 cookies
Calories per serving: 380
Note: These are approximate values.

Preparation Time

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

These cookies store beautifully. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for 5. You can also freeze the unfrosted cookies and add the icing after thawing. They taste amazing chilled too!

How to Serve Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies

Serve with a tall glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or just on a pretty platter at your next party. These also make adorable gifts—just box them up with colorful tissue paper for a homemade bakery treat.

Creative Leftover Transformations

Got a few cookies left? Here’s what to do:

• Crumble into ice cream or yogurt for a birthday sundae.
• Sandwich two cookies with frosting for the ultimate whoopie pie.
• Chop and fold into funfetti blondies or cake batter bark.

Additional Tips

• Add food coloring to the frosting to match party themes.
• Use gel sprinkles for less bleeding into dough.
• Try using a cookie scoop for uniform bakery-style cookies.

Make It a Showstopper

Pipe the frosting in a tall spiral and top with metallic or themed sprinkles. Stack them on a tiered stand with candles for a cookie “birthday cake.” A sprinkle of edible glitter or shimmer dust can also add that extra wow factor.

Variations to Try

• Chocolate Chip Funfetti: Add white or milk chocolate chips.
• Lemon Birthday Cookies: Add lemon zest and swap vanilla for lemon extract.
• Mini Crumbls: Use smaller scoops for bite-sized cookies.
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Almond Bakery Twist: Add a splash of almond extract for a nostalgic twist.

FAQ’s

Q1: Can I make the dough ahead of time?

A1: Yes! Chill the dough up to 48 hours or freeze for up to 3 months.

Q2: Can I freeze the cookies?

A2: Yes, freeze unfrosted cookies and add frosting after thawing.

Q3: What kind of sprinkles work best?

A3: Jimmies are best—they don’t bleed color or melt in the dough.

Q4: Do I have to use a piping bag for frosting?

A4: Nope! A spoon or spatula works, though piping gives a bakery look.

Q5: Can I use a boxed cake mix?

A5: You can, but the texture will be cakier and less cookie-like.

Q6: How do I make them extra soft?

A6: Don’t overbake and use cornstarch in the dough.

Q7: Can I skip the frosting?

A7: Yes, they’re still delicious plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Q8: Can I make these dairy-free?

A8: Use plant-based butter and milk in both dough and frosting.

Q9: Why did my cookies spread too much?

A9: The dough may have been too warm or butter too soft—chill briefly before baking.

Q10: Are these cookies chewy or cakey?

A10: They’re soft and thick with a tender center and light chew on the edges.

Conclusion

These Copycat Crumbl Birthday Cake Cookies are everything you love about a celebration in a single bite—colorful, soft, sweet, and downright irresistible. Trust me, they’ll have everyone asking for the recipe and coming back for seconds (or thirds).

Print