Homemade Sprinkles

These homemade sprinkles add the perfect pop of color to any dessert!

They’re easy to make with just a few ingredients and can be customized with different colors, flavors, shapes, and sizes.

This Recipe at a Glance

• Quick to prep: The sprinkle mixture comes together in about 15 minutes.
• Drying time: Plan for at least 8 hours (or overnight) for the sprinkles to fully dry.
• Yield: One batch makes about 2 cups (32 Tbsp) of sprinkles.
• Easy to customize: Use gel food coloring to create any colors you like, or divide the mixture to make a rainbow assortment.
• Make any shape: Pipe classic sprinkle lines or get creative with hearts, stars, circles, rainbows, and other small shapes.
• Great for making ahead: Once completely dry, these sprinkles can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a year.

Key Ingredients & Why They Matter

This recipe only needs a handful of ingredients, but each one plays a role in creating sprinkles that are easy to pipe and dry firm.

• Powdered Sugar: This makes up the base of the sprinkle mixture and gives it its thick consistency. If your powdered sugar is lumpy, sift it before mixing everything together for the smoothest results.
• Water: Water brings the mixture together and helps you adjust the consistency. If your mixture is too thick to pipe, add more water 1 teaspoon at a time until it’s thick but pipeable.
• Light Corn Syrup: This helps create a smooth, pipeable mixture and gives the finished sprinkles a firm texture once they dry. If you don’t have corn syrup or prefer not to use it, you can substitute 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp of meringue powder, although you may need a little extra water to get the consistency right.
• Vanilla Extract: This adds a little extra flavor, but it’s optional. You can also swap it for another extract like almond, coconut, or peppermint to customize the flavor of your sprinkles.
• Gel Food Coloring: I recommend using gel food coloring because it adds plenty of color without significantly thinning the mixture. Liquid food coloring can also work, but you may need to add a little extra powdered sugar if the mixture becomes too thin. You can also use natural food dyes or ingredients like matcha (green), freeze-dried raspberry powder (pink), or cocoa powder (brown) to naturally color the sprinkles.

How to Make These Homemade Sprinkles

While the recipe below is pretty simple, I find visual cues to be super helpful! Below are some photos of the process to help guide you through this recipe.

I’ve also included a video in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

Add 2 cups of powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons of water, 1 1/2 Tbsp of light corn syrup, 1 Tbsp of vanilla extract (optional), and 1/4 tsp of fine salt into a large bowl.

Either whisk or mix together with a hand mixer on a low speed until smooth. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Step 2: Test the Consistency

Then add the remaining cup of powdered sugar and mix until combined. The final consistency should be thick but still pipeable.

If you want to test the consistency, you can place a Tbsp in a piping bag and try piping a short line. If the mixture seems too thick to pipe, mix in more water, one teaspoon at a time.

Step 3: Color the Mixture

If you want to make different-colored sprinkles, divide the mixture evenly between a few small bowls and mix in gel food coloring.

One batch makes about 460g. If you want to make the 6 classic rainbow colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), use about 75g of the mixture per color.

Note: If you use liquid food coloring, it may thin out the mixture a bit. If you notice that, you can add in more powdered sugar, 1 tbsp at a time.

Step 4: Pipe the Sprinkles & Let them Dry

Pour each color into its own small piping bag. When you’re ready to pipe the sprinkles, cut a small opening (about 1/16 inch) at the bottom of the bag.

Pipe lines or shapes onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and set aside to dry for at least 12 hours or overnight.

Step 5: Cut the Sprinkles & Store Them

Once they’re fully dry, cut the sprinkles into small pieces.

If you pipe custom sprinkles, gently lift them with your finger to remove them from the parchment paper. You can also use a flexible bend scraper to help them release.

Gently lift the parchment paper to pour them into an airtight container and store them somewhere dark (like a cupboard or pantry) until you’re ready to use them.

Moisture will cause them to soften, so if you live somewhere humid, be sure they’re stored in a container with a good seal. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a year in an airtight container.

Troubleshooting Homemade Sprinkles

If your homemade sprinkles aren’t turning out quite right, the consistency of the mixture is usually the best place to start.

• The mixture is too thick to pipe: Mix in additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture is thick but still easy to pipe. A little water goes a long way, so add it gradually.
• The mixture is too thin or spreading: Mix in additional powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture thickens. This can happen if you add too much water or use liquid food coloring, which can thin out the mixture.
• The sprinkles are flattening instead of holding their shape: Your mixture is most likely a little too thin. Add a small amount of powdered sugar and test-pipe another line. The mixture should hold its shape as soon as it’s piped.
• The sprinkles are still soft after 12 hours: Give them additional time to dry. They should be completely firm before you cut or store them, so letting them sit overnight or a little longer if needed is totally fine.
• The finished sprinkles are becoming soft: Moisture is usually the culprit. Make sure the sprinkles are completely dry before storing them, then keep them in a tightly sealed, airtight container at room temperature.

Ways to Use Homemade Sprinkles

Once your homemade sprinkles are completely dry, you can use them just like store-bought sprinkles! Here are a few of my favorite ways to use them:

• Sprinkle them over frosted cakes and cupcakes for an easy pop of color.
• Use them to decorate cookies, brownies, macarons, or cake pops.
• Add them to ice cream, milkshakes, or other desserts right before serving.
• Make custom colors or shapes to match a birthday, holiday, baby shower, or other celebration.

Because you can customize these, they’re especially fun when you want sprinkles that perfectly match the dessert you’re making.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do homemade sprinkles taste like store-bought sprinkles?

I actually think these taste better than store-bought sprinkles! The generous amount of vanilla extract and the pinch of fine salt give these a delicious, balanced flavor.

Can I use homemade sprinkles in funfetti cake?

Sadly, I don’t recommend mixing these homemade sprinkles into cake or cupcake batter! They tend to sink to the bottom and dissolve.

Can I Make Homemade Sprinkles Without Corn Syrup?

Yes! You can replace the light corn syrup with 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp of meringue powder. The mixture will be a little thicker, so you may need to add a bit more water to get it to the right piping consistency.

Can I Use Liquid Food Coloring Instead of Gel Food Coloring?

You can, but liquid food coloring will thin out the mixture more than gel coloring. If the mixture becomes too runny, mix in additional powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until it’s thick enough to hold its shape when piped.

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you make these homemade sprinkles, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a rating and comment below.

Tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets on social media so that I can see your amazing creations!

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