Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting

If you love buttery shortbread cookies, rainbow sprinkles, and creamy frosting, then these Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting are your new baking obsession. They’re festive, colorful, soft-yet-crisp, perfectly sweet, and ideal for celebrations of all kinds—birthdays, holidays, parties, bake sales, or cozy evenings at home. Each cookie features buttery funfetti shortbread baked until golden on the edges and then paired with a dreamy vanilla buttercream to create the ultimate dessert sandwich.

Shortbread is known for its simplicity: flour, butter, sugar, vanilla, and not much else. But adding sprinkles takes this classic treat into a whole new realm of happiness. These cookies are crumbly yet sturdy enough to sandwich, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and beautifully speckled with colorful bits in every bite. The rainbow sprinkles bring joy, while the frosting filling ties everything together with smooth, sweet creaminess.

Whether baking with kids, prepping desserts for a party, or gifting cute cookie boxes, this recipe delivers adorable, delicious results every time.

---

Why These Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies Are So Special

There’s something undeniably nostalgic about funfetti desserts. They spark joy and transport us to childhood celebrations, birthday cakes, and colorful party tables. Pairing funfetti with buttery shortbread creates a cookie that’s both whimsical and sophisticated.

You’ll love these cookies because:

✔ They keep their shape perfectly – ideal for sandwich cookies
✔ Shortbread dough is incredibly easy to make
✔ The sprinkles bake beautifully without bleeding
✔ Vanilla frosting adds the perfect amount of sweetness
✔ They store well and actually taste even better the next day
✔ Customizable for any holiday by swapping sprinkle colors
✔ Perfect party portion – not too big, not too small
✔ Crowd-pleasing flavor for kids AND adults

The buttery vanilla flavor of classic shortbread paired with sprinkles and frosting makes these cookies irresistible and universally loved.

---

What Makes Shortbread Perfect for Sandwich Cookies?

Shortbread has a firm structure but delicate crumble—ideal qualities for sandwich cookies. Unlike soft cookies that squish or crispy cookies that break, shortbread maintains its shape while offering a clean bite. The butter melts in your mouth, the sprinkles add color and subtle crunch, and the frosting fills every gap with luscious fluffiness.

Shortbread also:

• Holds designs from cookie stamps
• Bakes evenly
• Never spreads excessively
• Has a long shelf life
• Stays delicious even chilled

This means your Funfetti shortbread sandwiches will always look cute and professional.

---

Ingredients

For the Funfetti Shortbread Cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup rainbow jimmies sprinkles

For the Vanilla Frosting Filling

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

---

Instructions

1. Make the Funfetti Shortbread Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
2. Add vanilla extract and mix again.
3. Add flour and salt; mix on low until dough begins to form.
4. Fold in rainbow sprinkles gently to avoid streaking.
5. Form dough into a disc, wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.

2. Shape & Bake

6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
7. Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
8. Cut even circles using a round cookie cutter (about 2 inches).
9. Transfer to baking sheet and chill 10 minutes for best shape.
10. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges begin to turn lightly golden.
11. Cool completely on a wire rack.

3. Make the Frosting

12. Beat butter until fluffy.
13. Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until smooth.
14. Add vanilla and 1 tbsp cream. Add more cream if needed for pipeable consistency.
15. Beat on high for 1 minute until fluffy.

4. Assemble the Sandwich Cookies

16. Pipe or spread frosting onto the flat side of half the cookies.
17. Top with remaining cookies and gently press.
18. Add extra sprinkles to the sides if desired.

5. Store & Serve

19. Refrigerate 15 minutes for cleaner edges (optional).
20. Serve at room temperature for best texture.

---

Tips for Perfect Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

Use Jimmies, Not Nonpareils

Nonpareils bleed color into the dough. Jimmies hold shape and color beautifully.

Chill the Dough

Chilled dough = defined edges and no spreading.

Don’t Overbake

Shortbread should be pale with lightly golden edges.

Pipe the Frosting for a Clean Look

A star tip or round piping tip creates pretty, uniform filling.

Flavor Boost Options

Add almond extract, lemon zest, or cake-batter flavoring to the dough.

---

Fun Flavor Variations

Birthday Cake Sandwich Cookies

Add ½ tsp almond extract and use bright rainbow sprinkles.

Holiday Funfetti Cookies

Swap sprinkles for red & green (Christmas), pastel (Easter), or orange & black (Halloween).

Chocolate Funfetti Version

Replace ¼ cup flour with cocoa powder.

Strawberry Frosting Variation

Add freeze-dried strawberry powder to the frosting.

---

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are perfect for:

• Birthday parties
• Holiday dessert platters
• School celebrations
• Baby showers
• Tea parties
• Cookie-exchange boxes
• Gifting in cellophane bags
• Bake-sale tables

Their bright colors and cute sandwich format make them irresistible on any table.

---

Storage & Make-Ahead Guide

Room Temperature:

Up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Refrigerator:

Up to 1 week (bring to room temp before serving).

Freezer:

Freeze unfilled cookies for up to 2 months.
Freeze filled cookies 2–3 weeks (best when thawed overnight).

---

A Colorful, Joyful Dessert for Any Occasion

Funfetti treats bring instant happiness, and these Funfetti Shortbread Sandwich Cookies with Frosting take that joy to an elegant new level. Buttery, tender, colorful, and bursting with creamy filling—they’re everything a celebration cookie should be. One batch will never feel like enough!