We had a tiny glimpse of spring this weekend: there was sunshine, and slushy sidewalks, and no mittens on our hands. We stayed outside most the day, trying not to get our hopes up that the weather would hold. It didn’t, and the next day saw snowflakes and gray, gloomy skies. To perk up the crew, I pulled out colorful sprinkles and got to work making these spring fever sugar cookies. The bright colors cheered us up a bit, and each warm, delicious bite gave us courage to face the long, cold months to come.

Your favorite sugar cookie recipe will work here. I used the following recipe, adapted from Cooks Illustrated.

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature and cut into 8 pieces
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and still warm
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Cookie decorating sprinkles, for rolling

1. Preheat the oven to 350, and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
2. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
4. Put the sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl. Pour the warm butter over the sugar and cream cheese and whisk to combine, getting the cream cheese as smooth as possible. Whisk in the oil until incorporated, then add the egg and vanilla; continue to whisk until the mixture is smooth. Add the flour mixture and mix with rubber spatula until a soft dough forms.
5. Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, and gently roll each piece into balls. Roll the balls in the decorating sprinkles, place them on the prepared baking sheets (8 cookies will fit on a sheet). Using the bottom of a drinking glass, flatten dough balls slightly.
6. Bake the cookies, one tray at a time, until the edges of the cookies are set and just beginning to brown, 11-13 minutes, rotating tray halfway through baking. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Enjoy!