These Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies are buttery, soft, and bursting with colorful sprinkles. Each little sandwich holds a swirl of creamy vanilla buttercream for a bite that’s sweet, festive, and absolutely irresistible. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, holidays, or anytime you want to brighten someone’s day, these cookies can be easily customized with any sprinkle and frosting color — plus you can cut them into any shape or size!
If you love shortbread, these are the perfect place to start. I use this base dough to create all kinds of variations — like my lemon poppy seed shortbread sandwiches or chocolate ganache–filled shortbreads. If Funfetti is your love language, try my Funfetti sugar cookies or Oreo-stuffed Funfetti cookies too!
Why You’ll Love These Cookies
These sandwich cookies are everything you want in a small treat — buttery edges, soft centers, pops of sweetness from sprinkles, and a creamy frosting filling. A hint of almond extract adds depth to the vanilla flavor, making each bite extra special.
They’re also fantastic for parties or dessert tables because mini desserts let guests enjoy more than one treat without feeling overwhelmed — and you can decorate them endlessly for different seasons and holidays!
Key Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter – Ensures richness and tenderness. If you only have salted butter, leave out extra salt.
- Granulated Sugar – Essential for the right texture; don’t substitute with other sugars.
- Egg – Use room-temperature eggs so they blend smoothly into the dough.
- Vanilla & Almond Extract – Almond extract adds a lovely flavor boost alongside vanilla.
- Cream of Tartar – Gives the cookies a slightly chewy, soft texture.
- Fresh Baking Powder & Soda – Make sure they aren’t expired for best results.
- All-Purpose Flour – Stick to classic flour for the correct crumb.
- Sprinkles – Any shape or color works — just choose softer sprinkle styles.
- Powdered Sugar (for the frosting) – Creates a smooth, creamy buttercream.
How to Make Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies
Here’s a quick overview before you dive in (full recipe card below):
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then mix in egg and extracts.
- Add dry ingredients and sprinkles, roll out, cut shapes, and chill.
- Bake until lightly set, then let cool completely.
- Whip up buttercream, pipe onto cooled cookies, and sandwich together.
Step-by-Step Instructions
For the Cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt.
- In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugar for 3–4 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Add the dry ingredients and beat on low just until combined. Gently fold in sprinkles.
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness and cut into shapes.
- Place cookies on trays 2 inches apart and chill 45–60 minutes.
- Bake for 7–9 minutes, then allow to cool on the tray before moving to a rack.
For the Vanilla Buttercream
- Cream softened butter for 2–3 minutes until fluffy.
- Mix in vanilla extract and heavy cream.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, scraping the bowl as needed, until you reach a piping consistency.
- Too thick? Add a splash of cream.
- Too thin? Add powdered sugar by the tablespoon.
- Tint with food coloring if desired.
Assembly
Once cookies are completely cooled, pipe or spread buttercream onto one cookie, then top with another to create a sandwich. Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days or freeze for later!
Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting
These adorable sandwich cookies are buttery, soft, and filled with creamy vanilla frosting — perfect for celebrations big or small. They’re freezer-friendly, customizable, and guaranteed to disappear quickly!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 38 minutes
Yield: 12 sandwich cookies
Calories: 278 per sandwich
Ingredients
Vanilla Buttercream
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 2½–3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp heavy cream
- Food coloring (optional)
Cookies
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- ½ cup Funfetti sprinkles
Instructions
Buttercream:
Cream butter until fluffy. Mix in vanilla and cream. Add powdered sugar gradually until smooth and pipeable. Adjust texture as needed and tint if desired.
Cookies:
Raise oven to 350°F and prep pans.
Whisk dry ingredients together.
Beat butter and sugar until fluffy, add egg and extracts.
Mix in dry ingredients, then sprinkles.
Roll dough to ¼ inch, cut shapes, chill, bake 7–9 minutes.
Cool fully, frost, and sandwich together.