5 Fun Things to Make with Sprinkles for the Holidays

Related To:

5 Fun Things to Make with Sprinkles for the Holidays

During the holidays, I want everything to have an extra layer of sparkle, even the food — okay, especially the food. Sprinkles, from the silver BB-like dragees to edible glitter and shimmering sugars, deliver that extra layer of over-the-top, spectacular visual joy to my holiday expectations. These colorful, shiny confections add some glamour without much extra effort, not only to desserts but also appetizers and drinks, and they balance out savory dishes with just a touch of sweetness. Here are some ideas for fun and easy ways to add sprinkles to your holiday creations.

1. Eggnog Party Rims

Dressed up with red and gold sugar and tiny white nonpareils, these vintage cut-glass mugs brimming with eggnog are ready to party.

How to Rim Glassware with Sprinkles:

Pour a small amount of eggnog into a shallow bowl, dip the mugs in and then twirl the mugs in another bowl filled with sprinkles. Turn upright and let dry before filling with eggnog.

Eggnog Process
2. Sparkling Sugared Cranberries

The appearance of these ruby gems in the market is one of the first signs that the winter holidays are around the corner. Visually stunning sugared cranberries are a study in contrasts. The tart, dark berries, which appear to be encrusted with tiny jewels, add a magical quality to whatever they adorn as they catch the light. The berries are tamed by an overnight soak in simple syrup, followed by a roll in a batch of sparkling sugar.

Sugared cranberries go especially well with savory, soft cheeses. Pile onto a pretty platter for an easy cheese plate, or press a few berries into slices of toasted baguette topped with softened Brie for crostini.

Cranberries and Brie
Get the Recipe: Sparkling Sugared Cranberries
For the sugar bath:
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water
2 cups fresh cranberries
For decorating:

1/2 cup sprinkles, such as colored sanding sugar, sparkling sugar and/or nonpareils

1/2 cup superfine sugar*

Stir the granulated sugar into the water and simmer over medium-low heat until the sugar is thoroughly dissolved and the liquid has slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Rinse the cranberries and place them in a shallow bowl. Pour the simple syrup over the cranberries, cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, drain the berries. Put the sprinkles and superfine sugar into a bowl deep enough to hold the berries. Gently roll the berries in the sugar/sprinkles mixture in small batches, remove with a fork and let dry on a baking sheet.

* Note: If you can't find superfine sugar in the market, pulse granulated sugar in a blender or food processor for a minute.

3. Sprinkles Sugar Cubes

Plop a sugar cube doused with bitters into a flute. Top it off with your favorite Champagne or sparkling wine, and you have one of the perennial-favorite New Year's Eve classic cocktails. Handcrafted aromatic bitters infused with Thai, Mexican or Moroccan flavors (available in specialty stores and online) and homemade sprinkles sugar cubes make it very 2014.

Sprinkles Sugar Cubes

As the sugar cubes dissolve, sparkling edible star glitter is released into the glass. Making your own sugar cubes is fun and surprisingly easy. To serve, place one sugar cube in the bottom of each flute and let your guests pick their favorite.

Sugar Cubes Process
Get the Recipe: Sprinkles Sugar Cubes
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons sparkling sugar or other sprinkles
2 teaspoons water
Edible glitter such as stars or Christmas trees (optional)

Moisten the granulated sugar and sparkling sugar or sprinkles with about 2 teaspoons of water. The sugar should still be gritty, not wet. If using edible glitter, put a little bit into the bottom of candy molds or ice cube trays. Press the sugar mixture firmly into the trays and add a little more glitter, so that when you unmold it, the glitter is on both sides.

4. Marshmallow Menorah

I came up with the idea for celebrating the Festival of Lights with these marshmallow menorahs while I was in art school. (I was too poor to spend money on anything that wasn't edible.) They're super cute, festive and cheerful, and after the sun sets, they help make excellent s'mores if you use dripless candles.

Marshmallow Menorah
How to Make a Marshmallow Menorah:

Press candles into jumbo marshmallows. Dip the marshmallows into melted colored candy discs and then into blue and white jimmies and snowflake quins before dusting with royal blue sanding sugar. Do not hold them by the candles, and be sure to place them on a flame-safe surface. I also recommend using dripless candles if you plan to eat them afterward. These are great for college kids or anyone who doesn't have a traditional menorah handy, or if you just want a fun alternative.

Marshmallow Menorah Process
5. Stenciling

Delicate, powdery white confectioners' sugar dusted in a pattern onto anything dark is a sight to behold. Snowflakes cut out of plain paper (like you made in grade school) can be used as stencils, or try lace, doilies or stainless-steel store-bought stencils made specifically for baking. There is also a wide variety of premade stencils available at craft stores and online.

Stenciling Brownies
How to Stencil Baked Goods:

Place the stencil over the treat you wish to decorate. Dust with confectioners' sugar, lift the stencil and accent with sugar pearls or other sprinkles.

Stenciling Baked Goods

Jackie Alpers is an award-winning food photographer and the author of Sprinkles!: Recipes and Ideas for Rainbowlicious Desserts (Quirk Books 2013).

Next Up

Sealed & Delivered: Recipes in a Jar

Surprise your friends this year with a homemade gift: a recipe-in-a-jar.

How to Prevent Common Holiday Baking Mistakes

An unexpected outcome can happen to even the best of bakers. Most of the time, dessert is still going to be delicious (even if it didn't come out as planned). Here are some common mishaps—and the best ways to avoid and fix them.

Anne's Top 5 Tips for Baking Like a Pro

With essential tips and recipes from Anne Burrell, you'll be baking like a restaurant chef in no time.

Ron Ben-Israel's 5 Commandments of Baking: The Basic Do's and Don'ts

We asked baking expert and Sweet Genius host Ron Ben-Israel for his five hard-and-fast rules for whipping up sweet treats this holiday season.

8 Brand-New Recipes You’ll Love for Hanukkah

Nosh on updated knishes, colorful latkes and classic holiday sweets.

This Beloved Family Dish Is Always on My Orthodox Christmas Table

My grandmother made Podvarok every Christmas, and now I do too.

A Complete Christmas Dinner Menu Full of the Fastest Recipes Around

Check out this at-the-ready menu of all-star dishes that will wow your guests this holiday season.

We're Making Our Gingerbread House Flat This Year — Here's Why You Should Too

Because there's nothing worse than a caved-in cookie dwelling!

The 17 Most Memorable Food Scenes in "Elf"

Buddy the Elf’s candy diet is sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

Why I Ruin a Few Christmas Cookies Every Year

It’s my meaningful way to keep past holiday memories alive.