Get ready to embrace the joy of holiday baking with this incredible Christmas shortbread cookie recipe! These buttery, tender cookies are a festive delight, melting in your mouth with every bite. You only need a few simple ingredients and easy steps to create a batch of perfect shortbread. This recipe is ideal for sharing with loved ones or enjoying by yourself during the festive season.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Shortbread Cookie Recipe
This Christmas shortbread cookie recipe quickly becomes a cherished holiday tradition in many homes for good reason.
- They boast an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture that is wonderfully delicate.
- Each cookie offers a rich, buttery flavor profile that truly shines.
- You only need a simple 4-ingredient base, making ingredient gathering a breeze.
- The preparation time is incredibly quick, often less than 10 minutes of active work.
- These versatile cookies are perfect for any occasion, not just Christmas.
- They are a beloved festive holiday classic, bringing cheer to any cookie plate.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your batch of delicious shortbread cookies.
- 1 and ½ Cups Salted Butter: Ensure your butter is at room temperature and nicely softened.
- ¾ Cup Confectioners’ Sugar: This finely milled sugar contributes to the cookies’ light and tender texture.
- 2 and ¼ Cups All-Purpose Flour: Measure your flour accurately for the best results.
- ¾ Cup Cornstarch: This is a key ingredient that provides incredible softness to the cookies.
- 2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract: Optional, but it adds a lovely depth of flavor. You can also use lemon or orange extract.
- ¼ Cup Festive Sprinkles: Use your favorite non-pareils or other colorful sprinkles for decoration.
Notes & Substitutions
Accurate ingredient measurement is vital for perfect shortbread. When measuring flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off. For flavor variations, consider using almond extract, or zesty lemon or orange extracts in place of vanilla. If you only have unsalted butter, simply add a small pinch of salt (about ¼ teaspoon) to the dough. Feel free to explore other toppings like a drizzle of melted chocolate, a dollop of jam, or even a festive candy kiss pressed into the warm cookies.
Equipment
You will need just a few basic kitchen tools to make these delightful cookies.
- Stand mixer (or a reliable hand mixer)
- Large mixing bowl
- Flexible spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheets
- Cookie scoop (optional, but helpful for uniformity)
- Fork
Instructions
Creating this delightful Christmas shortbread cookie recipe is straightforward and fun. Follow these steps for perfect, tender cookies every time.
- Prepare Butter & Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer to beat the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar. Beat for a full 4-5 minutes on medium-high speed. Do not skimp on this beating time; it incorporates air for light-textured cookies. If you use a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy.
- Add Flavoring: If you are adding any flavorings like vanilla extract, mix them in at this point. Give the dough another quick whirl to combine.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Turn your mixer to a low speed. Gradually add the sifted all-purpose flour and cornstarch into the bowl. Mix only until the ingredients are just combined and no streaks of flour remain. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Form Cookie Dough: Scoop and roll the dough into 36 equal-sized cookie balls. If the dough feels too soft to handle, cover it and place it in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to firm up. This makes rolling easier and prevents sticking.
- Shape & Decorate: Place the cookie dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or on a large plate lightly dusted with flour. Dip a fork in a little cornstarch or flour, then gently press the tops of the cookie balls to create a classic shortbread pattern. Top each cookie with festive sprinkles immediately after pressing.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the dough balls for at least 2 hours, or until they are very firm to the touch. For faster chilling, you may place them in the freezer until firm. This crucial step helps prevent spreading during baking.
- Preheat Oven: While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the thoroughly chilled cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each. Bake the cookies for 19-20 minutes, or until their tops appear set and slightly firm. Avoid over-baking, as they should remain pale.
- Cool: Allow the baked shortbread cookies to cool completely on the baking tray before handling them. They will firm up as they cool.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
Achieving perfect shortbread is simple with these helpful pointers.
- Butter Temperature: Always use softened, room temperature butter, not melted. Melted butter leads to flat, greasy cookies.
- Creaming Time: Beat the butter and sugar sufficiently; this step incorporates air, making the cookies light and tender.
- Avoid Overmixing: Mix the flour in only until just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough, dense cookies.
- Chilling is Crucial: Do not skip the chilling step! It firms up the butter, which prevents your cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
- Sprinkle Timing: Add sprinkles before chilling the dough. This ensures they adhere firmly to the cookie surface and do not fall off after baking.
- Prevent Spreading: Ensure your butter is at the correct temperature, chill the dough adequately, and confirm your oven temperature is accurate.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile Christmas shortbread cookie recipe offers many ways to enjoy and customize.
Serving Suggestions: These delightful cookies are wonderful alongside a warm cup of tea or coffee. They also make an elegant addition to any holiday dessert platter or cookie exchange. Package them beautifully for a homemade edible gift!
Storage: Store baked shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain fresh and delicious for up to 1 week.
Long-Term Storage (Refrigerator): For slightly longer storage, you can keep the airtight container of cookies in the refrigerator for an additional week. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing Baked Cookies: To freeze baked shortbread, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature before serving.
Freezing Unbaked Dough: You can prepare the dough balls and freeze them unbaked. Place the shaped dough balls on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once solid, transfer them to an airtight freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen; just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Flavor Variations: Experiment by swapping vanilla extract for other flavorings. Try a bright lemon extract for a zesty twist or almond extract for a nutty depth. Peppermint extract is also a festive option for the holidays.
Decoration Variations: Beyond sprinkles, consider drizzling cooled cookies with melted white or dark chocolate. You can also make an indentation in the center of the dough balls before chilling and fill them with a small amount of raspberry or apricot jam after baking. Pressing a chocolate kiss or a mini candy cane into the warm cookies adds another decorative touch.
Nutrition
Enjoying this delicious Christmas shortbread cookie recipe fits well into a balanced diet. Here is a general nutritional breakdown per serving.
Each serving is one cookie.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 Cookie |
| Calories | 100 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 10g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fat | 6g |
| Sodium | 40mg |
| Sugar | 4g |
Note: These values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and brands used.
FAQ
What makes shortbread different from other cookies?
Shortbread cookies are distinct due to their high butter-to-flour ratio and the absence of leavening agents like baking soda or powder. This unique composition gives them their characteristic crumbly, tender texture and rich, buttery flavor, unlike chewier or softer cookie varieties.
Why is chilling shortbread cookie dough important?
Chilling the dough is crucial because it solidifies the butter, preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This ensures your shortbread maintains its shape, thickness, and signature tender texture. It also helps to meld the flavors.
What role does cornstarch play in shortbread cookies?
As Sally’s Baking Addiction explains, cornstarch in shortbread helps achieve an extra soft, tender, and light texture. It also reduces gluten formation, which can otherwise make cookies tough.
How can I prevent my shortbread cookies from spreading too much?
To prevent excessive spreading, ensure your butter is softened but not melted, thoroughly chill the dough for at least two hours, and accurately measure your flour. Baking at the correct oven temperature (300°F) also helps the cookies set properly without flattening.
Conclusion
This easy melt-in-your-mouth Christmas shortbread cookie recipe is truly a holiday marvel. Its simplicity, combined with an irresistible buttery flavor and tender texture, makes it an absolute winner for busy parents and beginners alike. We encourage you to whip up a batch this season and share the joy with your family and friends. If you try this recipe, please rate it, share your creations, and leave a comment below!
