Confetti Crumbs are a burst of joy in every bite, combining crunchy, buttery crumbs with a playful mix of colorful sprinkles. Perfect for topping desserts or enjoying by the handful, these sweet morsels bring a festive touch to any treat. Ready in just 20 minutes, they’re an effortless way to add whimsy and flavor to your day.
With a rich, velvety texture and a hint of vanilla, these crumbs are irresistibly indulgent yet simple to make. Whether you’re sprinkling them over ice cream or layering them in a parfait, they promise a delightful crunch and a pop of sweetness. Quick, versatile, and utterly delicious, Confetti Crumbs are your new go-to for instant dessert magic.
Ingredients for Confetti Crumbs
- 5 Tablespoons (71 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅔ cup (130 g) granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons (25 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups (150 g) cake flour (all-purpose flour can be substituted)
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ heaping teaspoon table salt
- 3 Tablespoons sprinkles (use nonpareils, jimmies, or a mix of both)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 315°F (155°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter, sugars, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until light and thoroughly combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- With the electric mixer on medium-low, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until fully combined. The mixture will be dry and sandy but should cling together when pinched.
- Add the sprinkles and use your hands to incorporate them into the dough, pinching it to create clusters. Aim for varying sizes, resembling streusel.
- Spread the clusters evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. The crumbs will be soft when warm but will firm up as they cool.
- Allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before using. Enjoy as a topping for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or by the handful!
Creative Ways to Use Confetti Crumbs
These colorful crumbs are incredibly versatile! Sprinkle them over frosted cupcakes, layer them between cake tiers, or mix them into ice cream for a fun crunch. They also make a delightful topping for yogurt parfaits or a sweet garnish for pudding. Pro tip: Use them as a decorative rim for cocktail glasses for a festive touch!
Storing Your Crunchy Confetti Creations
Store your crumbs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. No need to thaw—just grab a handful and enjoy straight from the freezer!
Quick Tips for Perfect Crumb Clusters
If your mixture feels too dry to clump, add a teaspoon of softened butter or a few drops of milk to help it bind. When forming clusters, aim for a mix of sizes—some large, some small—for a more dynamic texture. Remember: The crumbs will firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake!
Fun Variations to Try
Switch up the sprinkles to match different themes or holidays—think pastels for Easter or red and green for Christmas. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon or citrus zest to the dough for a subtle flavor twist. For a chocolatey version, replace 2 tablespoons of flour with cocoa powder.
Why Cake Flour Makes a Difference
Cake flour gives these crumbs their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you don’t have cake flour, you can make a substitute by mixing 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Just sift it well to ensure even distribution!
Confetti Crumbs
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons unsalted butter softened 71 g
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar 130 g
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar firmly packed 25 g
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ⅓ cups cake flour 150 g
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ⅛ heaping teaspoon table salt
- 3 Tablespoons sprinkles I like to use a mix of nonpareils and jimmies but one or the other would work fine
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 315F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream together butter, sugars, and vanilla extract until light and thoroughly creamed.
- Separately, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- With electric mixer on medium-low, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture until combined. Mixture will be very dry and sandy, but if you pinch it with your fingers it should cling together.
- Add sprinkles, then use your hands to incorporate the sprinkles and to pinch together the dough, creating clusters. I usually create large clusters that I break into smaller pieces. Ultimately it should resemble streusel with varying sizes of clumps when you’re finished.
- Spread evenly onto prepared baking sheet and bake on 315F (155C) for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool completely on baking sheet. The crumbs will be soft while warm, but will become firm once they’ve cooled completely.
- Use as desired over cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or even just enjoy by the handful.