Description
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are buttery, tender, and festive, perfect for holiday parties or gifting. Infused with vanilla and studded with colorful holiday sprinkles, these bite-sized cookies bake quickly to a delicate golden edge, making them an irresistible seasonal treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Butter Mixture
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Mix-Ins
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, and white)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Baking Sheet: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking and to ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix well to combine.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour and salt into the butter-sugar mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels dry or crumbly, knead it gently with your hands until smooth and cohesive.
- Add Sprinkles: Fold the holiday sprinkles gently into the dough making sure they are evenly distributed throughout without overmixing.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls roughly 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in diameter, about the size of a marble. Alternatively, shape the dough into a log and slice into uniform cubes for a more consistent size and shape.
- Bake: Place the cookie dough balls or cubes onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and Optional Decoration: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra festive touch, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted white chocolate and sprinkle additional holiday sprinkles on top.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened (not melted) for the best creaming results.
- Do not overbake; shortbread cookies can quickly become dry.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container will maintain freshness for up to a week.
- For uniform cookies, rolling the dough into a log and slicing is recommended.
- Adding the white chocolate drizzle is optional but adds a lovely festive appearance and sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
