I have long believed that one of the happiest times in one’s adult life is the brief period between ending a job and starting a new one. Without the pressures of maintaining or finding employment, these days or weeks can hold such promise—a combination of carefree bliss and thrilling anticipation reminiscent of summer vacation during elementary school. It just doesn’t get any better than this. Or maybe it’s just me…

In recognition and celebration of closing one chapter and opening a new one, I baked a batch of the most festive cookies ever—Confetti Cookies from the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook by Christina Tosi. Nothing says “Woo hoo!” quite like rainbow sprinkles, if you know what I mean. Plus, any cookie that calls for “Birthday Cake Crumbs” in the recipe is a winner in my book.

As far as cookie recipes go, this one is somewhat high-maintenance, although not as fussy as Jacque Torres’ “Perfect” Chocolate Chip Cookie. The aforementioned “Birthday Cake Crumbs” create an additional step, but every extra minute is worth it once you taste the crumbs’ sandy texture and salty-sweet profile. There’s also an hour-long pause required in between mixing and baking the dough, which can be irksome for those seeking instant gratification. Other than those two blips, these Confetti Cookies bake up like a dream—crisp on the outside and cuddly on the inside, a technicolor treat.

For cookies

• 16 tablespoons (225 grams, 2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (300 grams) sugar
• 2 tablespoons (50 grams) glucose or 1 tablespoon (25 grams) corn syrup
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons (8 grams) clear vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups (400 grams) flour
• 2/3 cup (50 grams) milk powder
• 2 teaspoons (9 grams) cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon (6 grams) baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoons (5 grams) kosher salt
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) rainbow sprinkles
• 1/2 recipe Birthday Cake Crumbs

For “Birthday Cake Crumb”

• 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (25 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 3/4 cup (90 grams) cake flour
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 grams) kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons (20 grams) rainbow sprinkles
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) grapeseed oil
• 1 tablespoon (12 grams) clear vanilla extract

Make  Birthday Cake Crumbs

Heat the oven to 300°F.

Combine the sugars, flour, baking powder, salt, and sprinkles in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix on low speed until well combined.

Add the oil and vanilla and paddle again to distribute. The wet ingredients will act as glue to help the dry ingredients form small clusters; continue paddling until that happens.

Spread the clusters on a parchment- or Silpat-lined sheet pan. Bake for 20 minutes, breaking them up occasionally. The crumbs should still be slightly moist to the touch; they will dry and harden as they cool.

Let the crumbs cool completely before using in a recipe or scarfing by the handful. Stored in an airtight container, the crumbs will keep fresh for 1 week at room temperature or 1 month in the fridge or freezer.

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