Editing Sprinkles (section)

==Types==
[[File:Pinkcupcakesprinkles2005.jpg|thumb|A pink cupcake with colored sprinkles]]
[[File:Sprinkles, chocolate syrup and whipped cream on icecream.JPG|thumb|Colored sprinkles, [[chocolate syrup]] and [[whipped cream]] on top of [[ice cream]]]]

Popular terminology for this confection tends to overlap, while manufacturers are more precise with their labeling. What consumers often call "sprinkles" covers several types of candy decorations that are ''sprinkled'' randomly over a surface, as opposed to decorations that are placed in specific spots. [[Nonpareils]] (hundreds-and-thousands), [[Confetti candy|confetti]], silver, gold, and pearl [[dragée]]s, [[pearl sugar]] and "sugar shapes" (sequins) are all used this way. 

''Sanding sugar'' is a transparent crystal sugar of larger size than general-use refined [[Sugar|white sugar]]. ''Crystal sugar'' tends to be clear and of much larger crystals than sanding sugar. ''Pearl sugar'' is relatively large, opaque white spheroids of sugar. Both crystal and pearl sugars are typically used for sprinkling on sweet breads, pastries, and cookies in many countries.

Some American manufacturers deem the elongated opaque sprinkles the official sprinkles. In [[British English]], these are ''sugar strands''. In the New England region of [[United States]], as well as in Philadelphia, sprinkles are often referred to as jimmies.<ref name="Jimmies" /> "Jimmies", in this sense, are usually considered to be used as an ice cream topping, while sprinkles are for decorating baked goods, but the term can be used for both.<ref>[http://www.madison.com/archives/read.php?ref=/tct/2006/08/01/0608010327.php The Capital Times – August 1, 2006] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The sprinkles known as ''[[nonpareils]]'' in [[French language|French]] are tiny opaque spheres that were traditionally white, but that now come in many colors; in Commonwealth countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, these are known as "hundreds and thousands". 

The sprinkle-type of ''dragée'' (also known as a "cachou") is like a large nonpareil with a metallic coating of [[silver]], [[gold]], [[copper]], or [[bronze]]. The food-sprinkle dragée is now also made in a form resembling [[pearl]]s.

"Sugar shapes" ("sequins") are a newer product which come in a variety of shapes, often flavored, for holidays or themes, such as [[Halloween]] [[witch]]es and [[Candy pumpkin|pumpkins]], or [[flower]]s and [[dinosaur]]s. Candy cane shapes may taste like peppermint, and gingerbread men like [[gingerbread]] cookies.

Toppings that are more similar in consistency to another type of candy, even if used similarly to sprinkles, are usually known by a variation of that candy's name—for example, mini-[[chocolate chip]]s or [[Praline (nut confection)|praline]].