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    Home » Vegan Basics » Homemade Sprinkles (Vegan & Gluten-free)

    Homemade Sprinkles (Vegan & Gluten-free)

    Published: Jul 15, 2021 · Modified: Nov 5, 2022 by Natalia · This post may contain affiliate links .

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Bowl with white icing, next to seven bottles of gel food coloring.
    Seven white small bowls, with colorful homemade sprinkles, and the seven bottles of food coloring used.
    Bowl with white icing and bottles of food coloring. Small bowls full of colorful sprinkles.
    Three piping bags fitted with piping tips and filled with red, orange and yellow icing, and three bottles of food coloring. And finished sprinkles.
    Bowl with white icing and bottles of food coloring. Small bowls full of colorful sprinkles.

    These Homemade Sprinkles are so much fun to make! They are easy, taste of vanilla and can be made in any color you wish to decorate your favorite birthday cake, cupcakes or those funfetti cookies you see all over the Internet but haven’t tried yet!

    Seven white small bowls, with colorful homemade sprinkles, and the seven bottles of food coloring used.

    These Homemade Sprinkles are Vegan and Gluten free. This recipe uses plant based milk and none of the ingredients contain gluten.

    Jump to:
    • WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE
    • RECIPE INGREDIENTS
    • INGREDIENTS NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
    • STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS
    • RECIPE FAQs
    • RELATED RECIPES
    • RECIPE
    • Don’t Miss a Recipe!

    WHY MAKE THIS RECIPE

    It’s easy to make. Haven’t you made homemade sprinkles before? Feeling intimidated? You shouldn’t, honestly. You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity. Follow the step-by-step photos and instructions above and you’ll get perfect DIY sprinkles even the first time you make them.  

    Oh, if you’re a fan of easy and fun recipes, check out these: Vegan Funfetti Cupcakes, Vegan Sugar Cookies, Vegan Funfetti Cookies, Vegan Funfetti Cake.

    It’s a 15 minutes fun recipe. Fifteen minutes is all it takes to make your own rainbow sprinkles. Then let them dry overnight and will be ready to decorate your favourite treats.

    It only requires a FEW BASIC ingredients. You just need 4 ingredients to make it, since milk is optional. You can use water to thin the mixture, if you prefer.

    Minimal equipment needed. Don’t you have a stand mixer or a hand mixer? No worries, all you need is a bowl, a spatula and some food colouring. Don’t you have piping tips either? You can use a piping bag, cut the tip off and start piping!

    RECIPE INGREDIENTS

    Ingredients for the Homemade Sprinkles: sugar, milk, corn syrup, food coloring, vanilla, piping bag and tip.

    INGREDIENTS NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS

    Vanilla extract. It’s my favourite flavor here, but it’s totally optional. You can use another flavor, if you prefer, maybe to match the taste of the treat you’re going to decorate your sprinkles with. Or you can just skip the flavor. 

    Milk. I used oat milk. You can substitute it for water or regular milk, it won’t change the texture or the taste.

    Food colouring. I used gel food coloring but any type (paste or powdered food colouring) will work.

    STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    Making sprinkles: sift sugar, mix ingredients, divide mixture into bowls, color mixture, transfer to piping bags.
    1. In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup and vanilla extract.
    2. Whisk until well smooth and glossy. 
    3. Divide the icing into separate bowls and add the food coloring. Mix well until well combined.
    4. Transfer to the piping bags fitted with a nº 3 tip.
    Cut and uncut lines of yellow, orange, red, green, blue and pink icing on a parchment paper.
    1. Pipe long lines on a parchment paper. Let dry overnight. 
    2. Once lines are dry, cut into pieces and store in an airtight container.
    Bowl with white icing, next to seven bottles of gel food coloring.

    RECIPE FAQs

    How long does homemade sprinkles last?

    Sprinkles will last up to a year if stored in an airtight container, once they are fully dried

    How to make DIY sprinkles without corn syrup?

    Corn syrup provides elasticity and humidity to the icing and, when piping, it helps to prevent the lines from breaking. If you prefer not to use it, you can omit it, the sprinkles will turn out great too. 

    How to make sprinkles with royal icing?

    In fact, this is a royal icing recipe. The same I use to to decorate these pretty Vegan Sugar Cookies. For more details on how to make sprinkles with royal icing, read the step-by-step instructions above or check the recipe card below. 

    Three piping bags fitted with piping tips and filled with red, orange and yellow icing, and three bottles of food coloring.

    RELATED RECIPES

    • Vegan Funfetti Cupcakes
    • Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake
    • Vegan Sugar Cookies
    • Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

    If you try this recipe don’t forget to rate it and let me know how it went in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram to see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

    RECIPE

    Seven white small bowls, with colorful homemade sprinkles, and the seven bottles of food coloring used.

    Homemade Sprinkles (Vegan & Gluten free)

    NATALIA @ SIMPLE GREEN RECIPES
    These Homemade Sprinkles are so much fun to make! They are easy, taste of vanilla and can be made in any color you wish to decorate your favorite birthday cake, cupcake or those funfetti cookies you see all over the Internet but haven’t tried yet!
    5 from 43 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Drying time 12 hrs
    Total Time 12 hrs 15 mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 2 CUPS
    Calories 51 kcal

    Equipment

    • Piping bag or a plastic zipper bag
    • Tip #3

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
    • 3 tablespoons plant based milk (almond, oat, soy, rice) or water
    • 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Food coloring

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium bowl, sift the powdered sugar. Then add the milk, corn syrup and vanilla extract.
    • Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture starts getting glossy. You can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, a hand mixer or simply do it by hand with a spatula. If using an electric mixer, mix on low speed until smooth and then switch to medium speed for a few seconds.
    • The mixture will be thick, smooth and glossy. If it’s too thick, add some water, one teaspoon at a time.
    • Divide the icing into separate bowls and add the food coloring. Start by adding 1-2 drops, mix and check the color. Stir until well combined.
    • Transfer to the piping bags fitted with a #3 tip.
    • Pipe long lines on a parchment paper. Let dry overnight. Don't cut them until they are completely dry or they will stick to each other.
    • Once lines are fully dry, cut into pieces with a knife and store in an airtight container.

    Notes

    • Light corn syrup is used to provide elasticity to the mixture, so it doesn’t break when piping the lines. If you don’t like it, you can omit it. 
    • If you don’t you have small round piping tips, you can use a piping bag and cut out the tip, or a sealable plastic bag and just cut the corner off and start piping.
    • Cover the bowls of icing that you’re not using while you are transferring them to the piping bags. The top of the mixture dries out quickly.  
    • Sprinkles fade a bit when drying. Start with 1-2 drops of food colouring per bowl and keep adding until you get the desired color, then add a bit more just to compensate the fading once dried.
    NUTRITION INFORMATION
    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. 
    See our full nutrition disclosure. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 51kcalCarbohydrates: 12gSugar: 12g
    Keyword cake sprinkles, homemade sprinkles, vegan sprinkles
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie

      July 19, 2021 at 5:11 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow, I always buy sprinkles in stores. I didn’t realize I can make them at home. I love this! It’s a fun recipe perfect to make with children. I’m definitely saving this. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 21, 2021 at 3:59 am

        You’re so welcome, Natalie! I love making my recipes from scratch. Besides, you never run out of sprinkles if you have some powdered sugar and food coloring on hand. And thanks for the comment!


        Reply
    2. Kate

      July 18, 2021 at 2:29 pm

      Wonderful recipe! My daughters and I had so much fun making our own sprinkles. That they can keep for up to a year makes me love the recipe even more!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 19, 2021 at 4:03 am

        Thank you, Kate! So happy to hear that you and your daughters had a great time making the sprinkles This is what cooking is about, having fun! Thank you for sharing your lovely review!


        Reply
    3. Silvia

      July 18, 2021 at 12:04 pm

      5 stars
      What an easy recipe! I needed a specific color (no found in stores) for a project and following your instructions I made them myself! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 18, 2021 at 12:54 pm

        Hi Silvia, you’re welcome! I’m thrilled that you made your own sprinkles following the post instructions, and that you found it easy! Thanks so much for letting me know! XO

        Reply
        • Amber Rose

          August 01, 2022 at 2:59 pm

          Have you tried baking with these? I can’t tell from your confetti recipes if you’re using homemade inside the batter or if you’re using store-bought. If you’re using store bought where are you getting your gluten-free sprinkles?? We’re an allergy household and cannot have any cross-contamination which is the biggest hiccup with finding something safe.

          Reply
          • Natalia

            August 03, 2022 at 8:01 am

            Hi Amber Rose, I specifically used these sprinkles to make several batches of the Vegan Funfetti Cookie recipe. I attach the link here so you can see how they turned out: https://www.simplegreenrecipes.com/vegan-funfetti-cookies/
            I do both, I make my own when I have time or I buy them online. Check Sweetapolita.com or Supernaturalkitchen.com, both have gluten-free sprinkles. Hope it helps. Have a great summer Amber!

            Reply
      • Loreto and Nicoletta

        July 18, 2021 at 7:21 pm

        Our granddaughter would love this, she always wants to put sprinkles on anything we bake! I never thought to make homemade sprinkles, so thank you for inspiring us!

        Reply
        • Natalia

          July 19, 2021 at 4:12 am

          Hi, Loreto and Nicoletta, you are welcome! It’s great fun making them yourself. Thanks for commenting! XO

          Reply
    4. Brianna

      July 17, 2021 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, I had no idea making sprinkles was this easy! Can’t wait to do this with my kids. What gel color do you like?

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 18, 2021 at 5:58 am

        Hi Brianna, yes, they’re super easy to make. I normally use Americolor electric colors: electric pink, electric orange…I’ve found those don’t fade as much. Let me know how it went if you try it! XO

        Reply
    5. Amy Liu Dong

      July 16, 2021 at 11:58 pm

      5 stars
      This is so cool! I am happy to know this recipe. Now, I can make our own candy sprinkles at home. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 17, 2021 at 3:13 am

        Thank you, Amy,
        You are right these sprinkles can easily be made at home. I love them and use it to decorate my cakes, cupcakes and cookies. You must give them a try!
        Enjoy!!

        Reply
    6. Veronika Sykorova

      July 16, 2021 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      This looks so much easier than I’d even think it would be! I love that these sprinkles are vegan too! I’m definitely saving the recipe for next time I’m making something I need sprinkles for!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 17, 2021 at 6:46 am

        Thank you, Veronika,
        they’re super easy to make and so quick. If you make a double batch you’ll have sprinkles for ever! I hope you love them. XO

        Reply
    7. Colleen

      July 16, 2021 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      I never would have thought to make my own sprinkles! This will be a fun project to do with my sprinkle crazy grandaughter!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 17, 2021 at 6:59 am

        Hi, Colleen! Me, neither, I’ve always bought the sprinkles but have never quite liked the taste, so I decided to make my own. You have to try it, it’s therapeutic ;-))
        Thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    8. veenaazmanov

      July 16, 2021 at 11:41 am

      5 stars
      This would be so much fun to do it with kids. This is so easy and perfect decor on desserts and sweets too.

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 17, 2021 at 6:56 am

        Oh, yes Veena! You’re so right, kids love making them! This is a great activity to do when they are on holiday, it’s super easy and they learn to have fun in the kitchen! Thanks for the sweet comment!

        Reply
    9. Amy

      July 16, 2021 at 11:25 am

      This is genius! I would never have thought to make my own sprinkles. This would be fun to do with the kids!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 17, 2021 at 6:52 am

        Hi, Amy, they will love it! I made this sprinkles with my nice last time, and we had so much fun. Enjoy! XO

        Reply
    10. Allyssa

      July 16, 2021 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for sharing this homemade sprinkles! It’s really helpful and really fun to do! Will surely make this again. Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Natalia

        July 17, 2021 at 6:50 am

        Hi Allyssa, it always makes my day when someone sends me feedback about a recipe and really loved it! So happy that you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for coming back to comment!

        Reply

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    Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m so excited to have you here! I’m Natalia and I’m a recipe developer and food photographer with a passion for healthy, delicious and pretty food.

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