Description
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats perfect for festive celebrations. Featuring a simple dough studded with red, green, and white holiday sprinkles, these bite-sized cookies are easy to prepare and bake in just 30 minutes. Ideal for sharing at holiday parties or gifting during the season, they capture the classic flavor of shortbread with a cheerful, colorful twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, and white)
Optional Decoration
- Melted white chocolate for drizzling
- Extra holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract to add depth of flavor.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter-sugar mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, knead it gently with your hands until smooth and cohesive.
- Add Sprinkles: Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the dough to create festive bursts of color in each bite.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls roughly the size of a marble (about 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm in diameter). Alternatively, form the dough into a log and slice it into uniform cubes for consistent cookie shapes.
- Bake: Arrange the dough balls or slices on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for slight spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden, signaling that they’re perfectly baked.
- Cool and Optional Decoration: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For extra festive flair, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted white chocolate and sprinkle additional holiday sprinkles on top.
Notes
- Use softened butter at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Do not overbake; shortbread cookies should be lightly golden but still tender.
- For uniform cookies, chilling the dough log before slicing can help maintain shape during baking.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- White chocolate drizzle is optional but adds a lovely decorative touch and extra sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
