Name: Pan-Banging Confetti Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 13 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1/4 cup (50 g) packed light brown sugar; 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar, divided; 1 large egg, room temperature; 1 large egg yolk, room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup (50 g) packed light brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar, divided

1 large egg, room temperature

1 large egg yolk, room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 1/2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center. In a large bowl, use a handheld mixer on medium-high to beat the softened butter, brown sugar, salt, and 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar until the mixture is light and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 2: Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat while scraping down the sides until just combined. Then add the baking soda and beat until incorporated.

Step 3: Lower the mixer speed to low, add the flour, and beat just until a few streaks of flour remain. Fold in the sprinkles gently using a spatula.

Step 4: Pour the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar into a small shallow bowl. Using a 1/4-cup scoop or measuring cup, scoop dough and roll into balls with your hands. Roll 4 cookie balls in the granulated sugar, then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them as far apart as possible. Keep the remaining dough balls at room temperature until ready to bake.

Step 5: Bake cookies for 7 minutes. Then open the oven door, lift the baking sheet about 2 inches from the rack, and firmly bang the pan 3 times on the oven rack. Rotate the pan 180 degrees, return it to the oven, and close the door.

Step 6: Continue baking for 2 more minutes, then repeat the banging and rotation process. Repeat this process 1 or 2 more times until the cookies are golden brown on the edges and bottom, for a total bake time of 11 to 13 minutes.

Step 7: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Repeat the baking process with the remaining dough on a fresh parchment-lined, cooled baking sheet.

Tips & Variations

For extra colorful cookies, use rainbow nonpareils or festive holiday-themed sprinkles.

If you don’t have kosher salt, use table salt but reduce the amount slightly to avoid oversalting.

Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking can help control spread if your kitchen is warm.

The pan-banging step is key to developing the cookie’s signature crisp edges—don’t skip it!

FAQs

Why do the cookies need to be “pan-banged” during baking?

Pan-banging helps redistribute heat and air under the cookies, promoting even browning and crisp edges while keeping the centers tender. This technique creates the signature texture of these confetti cookies.

Can I substitute the sprinkles with chocolate chips?

Yes, you can replace sprinkles with mini chocolate chips for a different but equally delicious variation. Just fold them in gently to avoid melting before baking.