Description
These classic Christmas Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Perfectly sweetened with confectioners sugar and infused with vanilla extract, these festive cookies can be decorated with colorful sprinkles to add a fun holiday touch. They are easy to make and ideal for holiday gatherings, gifting, or cozying up with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup confectioners sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Topping
- Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Beat Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer and a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and confectioners sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully combined to create a flavorful base for the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt to evenly distribute the salt throughout the flour, ensuring a balanced flavor and texture.
- Mix Dough: On low mixer speed, gradually add the dry flour mixture into the butter mixture. Beat until the dough begins to come together, forming a cohesive ball without overmixing to avoid tough cookies.
- Chill Dough: Form the dough into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up the dough, which helps with rolling and cookie shape retention during baking.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into your desired festive shapes. Gather scraps and re-roll as needed for more cookies.
- Transfer Cookies: Carefully use a spatula to transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Add Sprinkles: If using sprinkles, gently press them into the tops of the cookies to help them adhere and add a festive decorative touch.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven at 350°F for approximately 12 minutes, or until the edges are light golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked and tender.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3-5 minutes to firm up before transferring them carefully to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they don’t break.
Notes
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain freshness.
- Make Ahead: Dough can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator until ready to roll and bake.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
