Description
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are festive, buttery, and perfectly sweet. Featuring a tender melt-in-your-mouth texture with colorful holiday sprinkles mixed throughout, these bite-sized cookies are ideal for holiday gatherings and gifting. Easy to make with simple ingredients, they bake up quickly to golden edges for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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
Decoration
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, and white)
- Melted white chocolate, for drizzling (optional)
- Extra holiday sprinkles, for topping (optional)
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 butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter-sugar mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels dry, knead it gently with your hands until smooth and cohesive.
- Add Sprinkles: Gently fold the holiday sprinkles into the dough to evenly distribute the festive colors throughout the mixture.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls approximately 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in diameter, about the size of a marble. Alternatively, shape 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 to allow for slight expansion. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden color.
- Cool and Decorate: 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 to room temperature for easiest creaming and best texture.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be lightly golden on the edges but soft in the center for perfect shortbread texture.
- For uniform cookies, chilling the dough log before slicing can help maintain shape.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- To make dairy-free, substitute butter with a plant-based margarine and ensure sprinkles are vegan-friendly.
