Bright, colorful, and endlessly customizable, homemade sprinkles bring a playful touch to any dessert. With just a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, you can create vibrant, crunchy toppings that outshine store-bought versions. These sprinkles are perfect for adding a pop of color and sweetness to cakes, cookies, or even breakfast treats. The best part? You control the flavors and hues, making them as unique as your creations.
After a 12-hour resting time, these sprinkles develop a delightful crunch that melts perfectly on your tongue. Whether you’re crafting pastel hues for a baby shower or bold shades for a birthday cake, the possibilities are endless. Light, sweet, and bursting with personality, these sprinkles are a must-try for anyone who loves baking with flair.
Ingredients for Homemade Sprinkles
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar (divided into 1 cup and ½ cup)
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 ½ Tbsp water (make sure it’s not hot)
- 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (or any preferred flavor; vanilla pairs well with most treats)
- Gel food coloring (choose your favorite colors)
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Your Sprinkles
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine 1 cup powdered sugar, cornstarch, water, corn syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is well-combined and smooth.
- Add the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add gel food coloring to the mixture. Stir until the color is uniform and reaches your desired shade. (Pro Tip: Be mindful that adding more coloring will intensify the flavor in the final product.)
- Transfer the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a #4 Wilton tip (or a similar small round tip).
- Line two cookie sheets with wax paper or parchment paper. Pipe long, horizontal lines onto the paper, keeping them about the width of a sprinkle. For added variety, you can also pipe small dots (about the size of a pencil eraser) along the edges of the paper.
- Allow the piped lines and dots to dry undisturbed for at least 12 hours.
- Once fully dried, gently peel the dots or shapes from the paper. Use a knife to carefully cut the horizontal lines into sprinkle-sized pieces.
- Your homemade sprinkles are ready! Use them to decorate your favorite desserts. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
Creative Serving Suggestions
These homemade sprinkles are perfect for adding a pop of color and sweetness to your favorite treats! Try them on cupcakes, cookies, or even ice cream. For a fun twist, mix different colors together to create a vibrant blend. You can also use them to decorate cakes or brownies for special occasions.
Storage Tips for Long-Lasting Sprinkles
Store your sprinkles in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh and dry. They should last for up to a month if stored properly. Avoid exposing them to moisture, as this can cause them to clump together. If you notice any clumps, simply break them apart with your fingers before using.
Recipe Variations to Try
Experiment with different flavors by swapping out the vanilla extract for almond, lemon, or peppermint extract. You can also use natural food coloring for a more subtle hue. For a fun texture, try adding a pinch of edible glitter to the mixture before piping. The possibilities are endless!
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Bakers
If you’re short on time, you can speed up the drying process by placing the piped sprinkles in a low-temperature oven (around 150°F) for about 1-2 hours. Just keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t over-dry or burn. This method can cut down the resting time significantly!
Equipment Guidance for Perfect Sprinkles
Using a piping bag with a #4 Wilton tip ensures your sprinkles are uniform in size. If you don’t have a piping bag, a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off works just as well. Make sure to line your cookie sheets with wax or parchment paper for easy removal once the sprinkles are dry.
Kitchen Tips: Make Your Own Sprinkles
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar divided
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 ½ Tbsp water not hot water
- 1 Tbsp light corn syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract (or any flavor you prefer — vanilla goes with pretty much anything, though)
- Gel food coloring
Instructions
- In medium-sized bowl, stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, cornstarch, water, corn syrup and vanilla extract until well-combined.
- Stir in the remaining ½ cup powdered sugar.
- Add food coloring and stir until well-combined and desired color is reached (remember, the more coloring you add the more you will be able to taste it in the final product).
- Transfer mixture into a piping bag fitted with a #4 Wilton tip*.
- Line two cookie sheets with wax or parchment paper and, using your piping bag, draw long, sprinkle-width horizontal lines across the paper. If desired, also make small dots (about the size of a pencil eraser) along the sides of the wax paper for some variety in shape.
- Allow to set undisturbed for at least 12 hours to dry.
- Once dried, peel off any dots or shapes you have made and then use a knife to cut down your horizontal lines to make sprinkles.
- That’s it! Sprinkle over your favorite treats! These keep well in an airtight container.