How to Get Nonpareils to Stick to Butter Cookies Like the Bakery Does

A butter cookie covered with colorful nonpareil candy sprinkles is both flavorful and whimsical, but it can be frustrating when most of the sprinkles land on your work surface instead of sticking to the cookies. Butter cookies usually aren't topped with icing so sprinkles are applied before baking while the dough is still soft. Unfortunately, the same flour dusting that prevents the cookie dough from sticking to the work surface can dry out the surface of the dough and prevent the nonpareils from sticking.

Things You'll Need

Baking sheet or plate
Pastry brush
Milk

Egg (optional)
Small cup
Wax paper

Instructions

Cut the butter cookie dough into the desired shape. Place the cookies onto a rimmed baking sheet, tray or plate. Put the cookies into the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes or until the dough is firm.
Dip a pastry brush into milk or water. Shake off the excess liquid so the bristles aren't dripping wet.
Brush each butter cookie with the water or milk, just until the surface is soft and tacky. Alternatively, beat 1 egg with 1 to 2 tablespoons of water to form an egg wash. Brush the mixture lightly across each cookie, using the pastry brush.
Pour nonpareil sprinkles into a shallow bowl or onto a plate.
Place the moistened side of the cookie downward into the sprinkles. Lay a small piece of wax paper over the cookie and press down gently to embed the sprinkles into the dough.
Lift the butter cookie out of the sprinkles and shake it gently to release excess sprinkles.
Sprinkle more nonpareils over the cookies to fill in any gaps, if needed. Bake the cookies according to your recipe.

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