Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (2024)

By Yummiest Food 77 Comments

Christmas Shortbread Cookies – adorable, delicious, tasty and with only 4 ingredients! You need to add this lovely Christmas Shortbread Cookies to your Christmas!

Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (1)

Holidays are coming and all of us are in that holiday mood so you want something nice sweet and funny for you and your children and something which is going to make these holiday days special. I recommend you to make these sweet tasty cookies in a Christmas tree shape with only three ingredients.

I am so happy because of the holidays and I can’t wait to see what they will bring to us. Every year I make these Christmas Shortbread lovely Cookies. These are so delicious that melt in your mouth so I am making them in huge amounts. Even if you don’t eat them all they stay soft and tasty after a few days. I am making these Christmas Shortbread Cookies usually with my children and we really enjoy making them. Children use many shapes and that is very interesting so we get cookies in the shape of stars, Christmas trees, ring bells, snowmen, and of course the most interesting part is decorating with sprinkles. We use all colors but I mostly use a green and red combination.

These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are very easy to make and you need only three ingredients for the flour, butter, and sugar, and if you want you can add vanilla extract. Quick and easy cookies are perfect for every occasion so you can make little presents of them. Fresh baked Christmas Shortbread Cookies are something you can’t omit in this part of the year. I like it when they stay at my table because they remind me of the happiness and celebration of these holidays which are coming. I can’t imagine New Year without these lovely sweet cookies. You can take them out with you, make some coffee with an espresso machine.

These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are so soft and nice and I am sure that you will love them on the first bite. I recommend you immediately make a double mixture because I know that you will enjoy them. When my friends come over I have these sweets so we can enjoy them while we are spending time together. You can eat them with a cup of coffee or tea if you want so try to surprise someone with this easy recipe. These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are real mini edible presents. Enjoy this holiday magic!

Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (2)Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (3)

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Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Christmas Shortbread Cookies - adorable, delicious, tasty and with only three ingredients! You need to add this lovely Christmas Shortbread Cookies to your Christmas!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter, cold and cut into pieces
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • Optional: red and green sprinkles

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter, granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well combined
  2. Add all-purpose flour and mix until combined
  3. Knead dough by hand for 5 minutes
  4. The dough should end up soft and pliable, similar to play-dough, not sticky
  5. Form a ball, wrap tightly, and chill for about 30 minutes
  6. While the dough is resting, preheat oven to 350F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside
  7. Roll dough out to about ½ inch thickness, use a cookie cutter for shapes
  8. Place each cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheet, sprinkle sprinkles over the top if desired and gently press into dough
  9. Bake 8-10 minutes, or until edges are golden brown
  10. Immediately transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Fun Side Note:

If you’re thinking of throwing a Christmas-themed party, why not choose to order a batch of cheap and fun Christmas shortbread cookie labels or stickers? Put these personalized labels and stickers on your finished Christmas shortbread cookie packages and give them to your friends, who will be delighted to receive a gift with such thoughtfulness. Just like these custom stickers and labels below, they look great!

https://www.customsticker.com/

Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (8)Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (9)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Patrícia Guedes says

    Great recipe! I’ve made it for christmas gifts and everybody loved it.

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Thank you Patrícia for such a nice comment! I’m glad you like the recipe!

      Reply

      • Judy Pacifico says

        How many does this recipe make?

        Reply

        • Lidia Simic says

          Hi Judy, You can make 20-25, depending on cut-out cookie cutter size. Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

          Reply

    • Meredith says

      Please send me the recipe I can’t find it just pictures

      Reply

      • Danielle says

        Keep scrolling past the pictures.

        Reply

        • Sammira says

          I tested these out and they were AMAZING! This recipe is simple but delicious and also pretty easy and trust me I am a pretty bad Baker but these went great for me my family loved them so cheerfully and holiday’y

          Reply

    • Norma Hall says

      Im beginning to think shortbread hates me I have tried 3 times and my dough kept falling apart I have no idea what im doing wrong any suggestions when I take it out of the fridge to roll kust falls apart I have some in the fridge right now

      Reply

    • Jan Simpson says

      Thank you
      Do you flour the board when rolling out dough

      Reply

      • Stephanie Cake says

        I do…

        Reply

  2. lea says

    We did this for Santa cookies last year. They were adorable, a hit with my toddler and delicious.

    Reply

  3. milica says

    I made these today and they were very easy and SO GOOD! They melt in your mouth…..you can’t just eat one!

    Reply

  4. Bev says

    So simple but so delicious. These are my favorite cookies. I make them every year for Christmas. But I also make them during the year without sprinkles.

    Reply

  5. Madeleine says

    What brand are those sprinkles?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Madeline, I used Wilton Nonpareils Sprinkles. Enjoy!

      Reply

      • Nicole says

        How many dozen does this recipe make? I need 6 dozen for a cookie exchange. Thanks!

        Reply

        • Lidia Simic says

          Hi Nicole, You can make 20-25, depending on cut-out cookie cutter size. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and happy baking!

          Reply

  6. Tina says

    How much does one recipe
    make?
    .

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Tina, You can make 20-25, depending on cut-out cookie cutter size. Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

      Reply

  7. Becca says

    Hello! Thank you for posting this recipe. I’d love to give it a try. How many cookies does this make?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Becca, You can make 20-25, depending on cut-out cookie cutter size. Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

      Reply

  8. Debbie Hamaker says

    I hope I did this recipe right before I did the needing the dough was very crumbly like a piecrust and then after I started neading it it got smoother and stuck together better is that right? Thanks

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Debbie, too much flour went in, it could get crumbly. Try kneading it more with your hands and see if you can’t soften it up. You can also try salvaging it by mixing up a bit more of the butter and adding it to your current dough. Hope that helps! Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

      Reply

  9. Carole Blake says

    Can you re-use the dough scraps after rolling and cutting out the cookies?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Carole, Yes you can re-use dough scraps if you like. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and happy baking!

      Reply

  10. Tanya Parrish says

    Hi can unsalted butter be used instead.

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Tanya, I personally use salted butter for most of my baking because I prefer the flavor. You can use your unsalted butter. Just add about 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon extra salt to the dough to provide flavor. Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

      Reply

  11. Tammy says

    How do you mix cold butter in, the chunks just keep flopping around in the bowl?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Tammy, I use a stand mixer, so it works like magic. However, if you don’t have a stand mixer, you can slightly soften butter just enough to make it workable. Not too soft, though. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and happy baking!

  12. Bhavna says

    Hi. Thank you! I️ made them today. They were great! I️ want to save the dough, use it on Sunday. Do you suggest fridge or freezer

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Bhavna, Extra dough can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap completely airtight, defrost dough when ready to roll/cut. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, and happy baking!

      Reply

  13. Val says

    Can these be kneeded with a stand mixer?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Val, I think it would work great with a stand mixer. Happy baking!

      Reply

  14. Jennifer Stingl says

    Hi, can I freeze these after they are made? I want to make them today for thanksgiving day. Thanks

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Jennifer, yes you can. They freeze well for about a month.

      Reply

  15. Lisa says

    Going to make some pre Christmas cookies for the kids tonight thank you for posting this recipe ?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      You’re very welcome, Lisa! 🙂

      Reply

  16. Tracy says

    Could you use whole wheat flour?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Tracy, I’d recommend just using all-purpose flour, not any variation of whole wheat.

      Reply

  17. Lil says

    Can we decorate these with frosting also

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Lil, Yes, you can decorate these with frosting, if you like. Would love to hear how it goes! Enjoy, and happy baking!

      Reply

  18. Amy Shute says

    Hi Lidia, thanks for posting the recipe. I was just wondering if you would be able to tell me the measurements in grams as I’m not too sure what is meant by a cup/half a cup? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi Amy, 1 cup or 226g butter,
      – ½ cup or 100g granulated sugar,
      – 2 ¼ cups or 288g all-purpose flour
      Hope that helps! Enjoy and have a wonderful holiday season!

      Reply

  19. Norma says

    I can’t get these cookies to work everytime I take out the dough it falls apart I have some in the fridge it always crumbles

    Reply

    • Dani says

      Make sure you knead it for awhile ?
      And don’t over add flour

      Reply

  20. Karen Robinson says

    I just made this for the first time because I wanted to get away from my traditional Crisco Christmas cookie recipe. I doubled it and let me tell you, it is hands down the best cookie I have ever made! I only had to bake them 8 minutes and they melt in your mouth! Thank you so much for this deliciousness!

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      You’re very welcome, Karen! 🙂 I’m very glad you like the recipe! 🙂

      Reply

  21. Anne says

    I found that these taste more like sugar cookies than shortbreads. Rolling cookies to 1/2 inch thick took approx 18-20 mins at the oven temperature suggested in recipe. I rolled them to 1/4 inch thick. Worked better.

    Reply

  22. NORosa says

    Hello. I’m making the mix a day before the actual cutting and baking. Do you recommend I freeze or refrigerate overnight?

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Hi NORosa, if make them ahead of time you can refrigerate the dough until ready to use, let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes more or less to soften up a bit. Let me know how it goes. Have a wonderful Christmas.

      Reply

  23. Donna says

    I love this recipe!!! Thank you for sharing this with us

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      You’re very welcome, Donna! 🙂 I’m glad you like the recipe!

      Reply

  24. MommaofAandK14 says

    My friend, my daughter and myself loved these cookies so much especially once they were cut into Christmas shapes! Thank you!

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      You’re very welcome! 🙂 I’m glad you like the recipe!

      Reply

  25. Roxanne says

    I made them for Christmas , they turned out perfect. My first time!

    Reply

    • Lidia Simic says

      Thank you for such a nice comment, Roxanne! I’m glad you like the recipe! 🙂

      Reply

  26. M Mac says

    Can you use this with a cookie press ?

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      Yes, you can. A great idea!

      Reply

  27. Leslie says

    I want to try these with my grandson.
    Can we use like the tube icing to decorate after cooking them?

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      Yes, you can.

      Reply

  28. Suzanne says

    Can you frost these cookies with white chocolate?

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      Yes, you can.

      Reply

      • Suzanne says

        Going to make snowman shapes and frost with white chocolate. The kids will love this. Thank you will let you know how it goes!

        Reply

  29. Jennifer says

    Hi! This recipe sounds great!
    Question- do you use parchment paper on the cookie sheets or not? Thanks!

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      Yes, you can use parchment paper.

      Reply

  30. John says

    For all those w crumbly dough – try weighing the flour by weight instead of measuring by volume with cups. For each cup weigh 120g. So 2 & 1/4 cups = 270g. Solid recipe, love it.

    Reply

    • Donna says

      Worst cookie dough ever. I had to add a little milk to keep the dough from crumbling. Will not make again, plus they don’t make many cookies.

      Reply

  31. Andrea Rees says

    I tried this recipe this evening for the first time and used almond extract instead of vanilla; wow, really flavorful! I made a double recipe and refrigerated it, after making the batter into about 6 portions. I used a little bit ,without refrigerating it to see how it would work. The dough stuck to the rolling pin and was too soft. Later today, I will see how it works after refrigeration. It was fun to use the cookie cutters and use holiday sprinkles. I want to try decorating with icing,too. Thanks for a super recipe!!

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      You’re most welcome, Andrea! 🙂

      Reply

  32. Michelle says

    Hello, at what point do you put the sprinkles on ?

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      In the end.

      Reply

  33. Angeli M. says

    I made these cookies with my boys. They turned out so good! I absolutely loved that they are only four ingredients. GREAT RECIPE

    Reply

  34. DANITA says

    Do they spread or hold shape

    Reply

    • Yummiest Food says

      They hold the shape.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Recipe from Yummiest Food Cookbook (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good shortbread cookies? ›

Tips To Make the Best Shortbread Cookies
  1. Choose High Quality Butter. No matter what brand of butter you buy, if it's real butter, you can rest assured that it's the best. ...
  2. Keep Ingredients Simple. ...
  3. Add Flavor. ...
  4. Don't Overwork. ...
  5. Shape Dough. ...
  6. Chill Before Baking. ...
  7. Bake Until Golden. ...
  8. Add Finishing Touches.

What is the number 1 Christmas cookie? ›

Based on this data from General Mills, Peanut Butter Blossoms are the most popular Christmas cookie in the country; it's the most-visited cookie recipe in seven states, which means it's the most common favorite cookie in the U.S. That's a pretty high honor!

What not to do when making shortbread? ›

The key with shortbread is not to overhandle it. Make the dough exactly as instructed, but don't mess around making shapes or over rolling the dough - you will end up with delicious but tough biscuits. Stretching and pulling the dough activates the gluten in the flour, making chewy cookies and not crisp ones.

What's the difference between Scottish shortbread and cookie? ›

Unlike Walkers shortbread cookies where the main ingredient is butter, Scottish cookies may contain vegetable shortening or a blend of butter and vegetable shortening. Therefore, the Scottish cookies have a distinctly different texture (crisper, firmer and crunchier) and flavor.

Is it best to chill shortbread dough before baking? ›

Chill Before Baking

The goal is to ensure the butter in the dough is cold when it goes into the oven. This will prevent the shortbread from spreading.

Is powdered sugar or granulated sugar better for shortbread? ›

Takeaway: look for recipes that use granulated sugar for a more crisp-style shortbread and powdered sugar for a more tender shortbread!

What happens if you don't chill shortbread dough? ›

You need to chill your dough before baking. As in once you place the dough on the baking sheet, you need to chill the dough in your fridge for Atleast an hour before baking. It will make a huge difference ESPECIALLY because your cookies are clearly heavy on the butter. They will come out flat, delicate and crispy.

Should butter be cold or room temperature for shortbread? ›

Unsalted Butter: As the base of nearly all shortbread recipes, butter supplies these classic cookies with flavor and softness. Make sure you use room temperature butter that's still cool to the touch. If it's too warm, the butter and sugar cannot properly cream and the cookies will taste dense.

Why do you put shortbread in the fridge before baking? ›

Why do you put shortbread in the fridge before baking? Chilling the dough before baking will help the shortbread keep their shape while cooking.

What is the new name for shortbread? ›

Shortbread is now Trefoils®! they're ABC cookies? always called them trefoils!

What is the American equivalent of shortbread? ›

While Americans would consider a piece of shortbread a “cookie,” it's actually called a “biscuit” outside of the US. This can be confusing since Americans consider a “biscuit” something similar to a British scone.

What is shortbread called in Scotland? ›

Shortbread or shortie is a traditional Scottish biscuit usually made from one part white sugar, two parts butter, and three to four parts plain wheat flour. Shortbread does not contain any leavening, such as baking powder or baking soda.

What are the qualities of a good shortbread? ›

It's all in the quality of the ingredients. With such a short ingredient list, the quality makes a big difference. The perfect shortbread cookie should be crumbly, but not dry, buttery but not greasy and sweet but not sickly.

Why do you put cornstarch in shortbread? ›

Making shortbread cookies with cornstarch is necessary for a tender and delicate cookie. Next time you make chocolate chip cookies, I suggest you try adding 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to the batch to help keep them extra soft and tender.

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