Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe

These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are a holiday staple in my house. They’re buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. I love how easy they are to make, with just a few simple ingredients and no chilling time required. Plus, they’re so versatile. You can decorate them with your favorite sprinkles, drizzle them with melted chocolate, or even sandwich them together with frosting.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Shortbread Cookies

• Buttery and Melt-in-Your-Mouth: These cookies have the perfect texture – they’re buttery, crumbly, and simply melt in your mouth.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly easy to follow, even for beginner bakers.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are great for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or just a casual get-together with friends and family.
• Versatile: You can decorate these cookies with your favorite sprinkles, drizzle them with melted chocolate, or even sandwich them together with frosting.

this Recipe

Ingredients for Christmas Shortbread Cookies

Here’s what I use to make these delightful cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter for baking so I can control the amount of salt in the recipe.
• Powdered Sugar: This creates a delicate sweetness and a light and airy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: This is the base of our cookie dough.
• Cornstarch: Adds a delicate crumbly texture to the cookies.
• Salt: Just a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cookies.
• Sprinkles: I love using festive holiday sprinkles, but you can use any type of sprinkles you like.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle some melted chocolate over the cookies for an extra decadent treat.
• Glaze: Dip the cookies in a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
• Sandwich Cookies: Use frosting or jam to sandwich two cookies together.
• Chocolate Shortbread: Add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dough for chocolate shortbread cookies.

How to Make Christmas Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

I start by preheating my oven to 300°F (150°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, I beat together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 5 minutes with an electric mixer.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

I add the flour, cornstarch, salt, and vanilla extract to the bowl and mix until just combined.

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

I dust my hands with cornstarch to prevent the dough from sticking. Then, I form the dough into small balls, about 1 tablespoon in size. I place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheet and flatten them slightly with a fork dipped in cornstarch.

Step 5: Decorate and Bake

I add a few sprinkles to the top of each cookie. Then, I bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

I let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before serving.

Tips and Tricks

• Room Temperature Butter: Make sure the butter is at room temperature for easy creaming.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can make the cookies tough.
• Even Baking: Make sure the cookies are spaced evenly on the baking sheet so they bake evenly.

How to Serve

These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas for serving them:

• Holiday Parties: Serve them on a festive platter at your next holiday party.
• Cookie Exchanges: These cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges.
• Gifts: Package them up in cute bags or tins and give them as gifts to friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Freezing: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months.
• Storing: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of sugar?
Yes, you can use granulated sugar, but the cookies will have a slightly different texture.

2. Can I add other ingredients to the cookie dough?
Absolutely! Try adding chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even citrus zest.

3. Can I make these cookies without sprinkles?
Yes, you can leave out the sprinkles or use a different type of decoration, like colored sugar or sanding sugar.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Christmas Shortbread Cookies. I hope you enjoy them!

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