Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe – Buttery, Festive, and Easy to Make
These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and decorated with festive sprinkles. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. With a simple dough and minimal ingredients, these cookies are easy to make and deliciously melt in your mouth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Serving Size: 2-3 cookies
- Servings: 24-30 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles or colored sugar (for decorating)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon almond extract for extra flavor
Instructions
Making the Dough:
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add the flavorings: Mix in the vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using).
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Mix the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
Shaping and Chilling:
- Shape the dough: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and form it into a disk.
- Chill: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Cutting and Baking:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Cut the cookies: Use cookie cutters to cut out festive shapes (stars, trees, snowflakes) and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
- Decorate: Sprinkle holiday sprinkles or colored sugar over the cookies.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Shortbread Cookies
- Don’t Overwork the Dough: Mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined to keep the cookies tender.
- Chill the Dough: Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape during baking and enhances the flavor.
- Use High-Quality Butter: Butter is the key flavor in shortbread, so choose a good-quality butter for the best results.
- Decorate Before Baking: Press sprinkles or sugar into the dough gently before baking to ensure they stick.
Creative Variations
- Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread: Dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and let it set on parchment paper for an extra indulgent treat.
- Orange Cranberry Shortbread: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest and ½ cup chopped dried cranberries to the dough for a fruity twist.
- Peppermint Shortbread: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top before baking.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! The dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Just let it soften slightly before rolling out.
Can I freeze these cookies? Absolutely. Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Why is my dough crumbly? If the dough is too crumbly, add a tablespoon of softened butter and knead gently until it comes together.
These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are buttery, crisp, and delightfully festive. They make wonderful holiday gifts and are perfect for cookie exchanges or enjoying with a cup of coffee. Bake a batch today and fill your kitchen with the warm aromas of the season!