Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s both classic and a little bit unique, you’re going to fall in love with this Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies come out—delicately buttery with that charming, minty blue glaze that feels like winter on a plate. When I first tried this recipe, the glaze was a game-changer for me. It’s a simple twist that instantly makes these cookies look and taste extra special. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy all holiday season!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients combine to create a rich, tender cookie with a smooth, minty glaze that holds its shape nicely. I recommend using quality butter and fresh powdered sugar for the best texture and flavor.

• Soft salted butter: Using very soft butter helps you blend the dough easily without overworking it.
• Powdered sugar: Essential for that silky texture both in the dough and the glaze.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the cookie dough.
• All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to the shortbread.
• Cornstarch: This ingredients keeps the cookies tender and gives them that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Half and half or milk: For thinning the glaze and buttercream to just the right consistency.
• Peppermint extract: Adds that holiday-fresh flavor that really complements the buttery cookie.
• Blue paste food coloring: I love Wilton Delphinium Blue because it makes the glaze vibrant without watering it down.
• Butter for piping: Soft butter creates smooth, pipeable buttercream for decorating.
• White nonpareils and pearlized snowflakes (optional): These tiny decorations add the perfect festive touch.

Variations

One of the best parts about this Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe is how simple it is to personalize. Whether you want to play with flavors or make it your own for different occasions, you’ve got lots of room to get creative.

• Citrus Twist: I once added a teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the dough, and it gave a beautiful, fresh zing that pairs amazingly with the peppermint glaze.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend with xanthan gum to keep that perfect shortbread texture.
• Different Extracts: Try almond or vanilla bean paste instead of peppermint in the glaze for a subtler flavor variation.
• Colored Glazes: Mixing different pastel colors instead of blue can make these cookies a hit for winter birthdays or other celebrations.

How to Make Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Dough

Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper—that step keeps baking cleanup so much easier, trust me. Then, get your very soft salted butter into a bowl and stir it with a wooden spoon until it’s creamy and smooth. I like to mix by hand at this point because it helps me feel the texture; the butter should almost look fluffy after you add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Once combined, sprinkle your flour and cornstarch over the top and stir gently until the dough looks a little shaggy but comes together.

Step 2: Roll and Chill

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it just a few times to form a smooth ball, then gently press it into a flat disk. Roll the dough to about ⅜-inch thick—keeping everything dusted lightly with flour helps prevent it from sticking, but don’t overdo it or your cookies might dry out. Use cookie cutters to make your shapes (I go for circles), and re-roll any scraps to use the dough up completely. Then pop those cutouts in the fridge for at least an hour. This chilling step is crucial because it helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350˚F. Take your chilled cookies out of the fridge and bake them for 12-16 minutes, watching closely for edges just beginning to turn golden. I like to rotate the pans halfway through baking to make sure they cook evenly. This helped me avoid uneven browning when I first tried the recipe. After baking, cool them completely on wire racks before moving on to the glaze.

Step 4: Create That Gorgeous Blue Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar with half and half and peppermint extract until the glaze is thick but still pourable—you want it to coat your cookies smoothly without being runny. I discovered that starting with ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract and adjusting after tasting is the best way to avoid overpowering mint flavor. To get that signature blue, dip a small knife tip into your paste food coloring and swirl it into the glaze, adding more until you get the perfect shade. This little trick keeps the color vibrant without thinning the glaze.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate

Hold a cookie by the edges and dip the top surface into the glaze so it covers completely. Let the excess drip off—if you’re worried about drips, have a second bowl ready to catch them. Once the glaze starts to set but before it’s completely dry, flip the cookie right side up and give it a gentle jiggle to help the glaze settle evenly. This technique makes your glaze look like a pro decorator did it. Let these glaze-coated beauties dry for 15-30 minutes.

Step 6: Pipe the Mint Buttercream Trees

Whisk softened butter until smooth and then add powdered sugar, half and half, and peppermint extract. Stir until thick but still spoonable—you want a consistency perfect for piping. Using a small round tip, I pipe Christmas trees starting from the top edge, making wider lines as I go down. Don’t forget to sprinkle white nonpareils immediately while the buttercream is still soft—this adds that snowy sparkle. I sometimes top the very tip with white snowflake pearls to really nail the festive look. Set these aside to dry fully before stacking.

How to Serve Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a big fan of keeping it simple with garnishes — white nonpareils sprinkled on top of the buttercream trees add the perfect snowy effect, and those little pearlized snowflake toppers truly bring the cookies to life. Sometimes I add a few edible glitter flakes for an extra sparkle that catches the Christmas lights beautifully.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic alongside a cup of rich hot cocoa or peppermint-spiked coffee. I especially love serving them after a holiday brunch with fresh fruit or alongside a cheese board for a sweet finish that balances out savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like arranging these Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe on a platter lined with pine branches, cranberries, and cinnamon sticks. It turns dessert time into a full sensory experience! If you’re gifting, stacking them in clear boxes tied with a festive ribbon always impresses friends and family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature once the glaze and buttercream have dried completely. After a day or two, the edges stay crisp while the center remains tender—a texture I just adore. If you must stack them, place parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies without the buttercream piping before, wrapped tightly in plastic and placed in freezer bags. When thawed on the counter, they taste just as fresh and keep their texture. The glaze holds up well, but I save piping for after freezing if I want them to look their absolute best.

Reheating

Reheating is rarely necessary for these shortbreads, but if you want to refresh their slight crispness, a 5-minute stint in a 300°F oven works wonders. Just be sure to avoid direct heat after glazing or decorating, or the buttercream might soften too much.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I love this Christmas Shortbread Cookies with Blue Glaze Recipe because it’s a delightful blend of tradition and whimsy—a cookie that’s simple to make yet feels special enough for holiday gift-giving or festive entertaining. What I found most rewarding is how this recipe brings people together around the kitchen counter, decorating and sharing smiles. So grab your rolling pin, get that glaze ready, and make some magic happen this season—you won’t regret it!

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