Magical Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe for Festive Joy

Nestled in the heart of holiday cheer, these christmas shortbread cookie bites bring a delightful twist to traditional festive treats.

Crumbly and buttery, they melt on your tongue with a whisper of sweetness.

Powdered sugar dusts each morsel like fresh snowfall, creating a magical winter landscape on your plate.

Warm kitchen aromas will transport you to cozy memories of grandma’s baking adventures.

Simple ingredients combine to craft these tiny treasures that sparkle with seasonal joy.

Compact and irresistible, these miniature cookies promise to become your new favorite holiday tradition.

You’ll want to share these delectable morsels with everyone who crosses your path.

Ingredients For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Unsalted Butter: A creamy foundation that provides rich flavor and creates a smooth, fluffy texture for the shortbread.
• All-Purpose Flour: The primary structure of the cookie that helps create a delicate, crumbly consistency.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness and contributes to the delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the shortbread.

• Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, classic flavor that complements the buttery base of the cookies.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the shortbread.

• Red and Green Sprinkles: Adds a festive, colorful appearance that makes the cookies visually appealing and celebratory.
• White Chocolate Chips (Optional): Provides an extra layer of sweetness and creates a decorative drizzle for additional festive flair.

How To Bake Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for smooth cookie placement.

Step 2: Whip The Butter

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter until it becomes smooth and fluffy, creating a perfect base for shortbread.

Step 3: Blend Sweet Powder

Sift powdered sugar into the butter, gently folding to create a silky, uniform mixture with delicate sweetness.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boosters

Mix in vanilla extract and salt, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the dough.

Step 5: Create Dough Magic

Gradually add all-purpose flour, stirring until a crumbly dough forms that’s easy to shape.

Step 6: Sprinkle Festive Fun

Fold in colorful sprinkles

• Red sprinkles
• Green sprinkles

Distribute them evenly to create a celebratory look.

Step 7: Knead With Care

Transfer dough to a flat surface and gently knead, ensuring sprinkles are perfectly mixed throughout.

Step 8: Shape Into Log

Roll the dough into a compact log about 2 inches wide, wrapping tightly in plastic wrap.

Step 9: Chill And Develop

Refrigerate the dough log for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor complexity.

Step 10: Slice And Prepare

Remove from refrigerator and cut into bite-sized rounds about 1/2 inch thick.

Step 11: Arrange Perfectly

Place cookie bites on the prepared baking sheet with slight spacing between each piece.

Step 12: Bake To Golden Perfection

Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown.

Step 13: Optional Chocolate Drizzle

Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over cooled cookies for an extra festive touch.

Step 14: Cool And Set

Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack, allowing them to develop a crisp, delicate texture.

Sweet Tips For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Ensure Smooth Dough: Sift powdered sugar and flour to prevent lumps, creating a silky, uniform texture that guarantees tender shortbread cookies.
• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerate the dough log for at least 30 minutes to intensify flavors and help cookies maintain their shape during baking.
• Sprinkle Evenly: Gently fold sprinkles into the dough, distributing them carefully to create a consistent, festive appearance throughout each cookie.
• Perfect Baking Technique: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking, removing them when edges turn light golden to prevent over-browning.
• Customize Decoration: Drizzle melted white chocolate or dust with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch that elevates the festive look.

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Style Ideas

• Gluten-Free Holiday Sprinkle Shortbread: Replace all-purpose flour with a blend of almond flour and gluten-free flour mix for a celiac-friendly version with similar texture and taste.
• Vegan Festive Cookies: Substitute unsalted butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, using plant-based sprinkles to create a dairy-free holiday treat.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Shortbread: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of powdered sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining a sweet flavor profile.
• Chocolate Lovers' Holiday Cookies: Swap half the flour with cocoa powder and use chocolate sprinkles for a rich, decadent chocolate shortbread variation.

What To Pair With Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Warm Spiced Chai Latte: Complement the buttery cookies with a creamy, aromatic chai that echoes the vanilla notes and balances the sprinkle sweetness.
• Holiday Mulled Wine: Elevate the festive shortbread with a warm, spiced red wine that brings out the cookie's rich, celebratory character.
• Creamy Vanilla Eggnog: Match the shortbread's delicate texture with a smooth, velvety holiday classic that enhances the cookie's festive spirit.
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Create a delightful contrast with a cool, minty chocolate drink that highlights the sprinkle cookies' playful colors and buttery base.

Keeping Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container, layered between parchment paper, for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their delicate flavor.
• Wrap the entire cookie log or individual baked cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Warm cookies gently in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes to restore their crisp texture. Avoid microwaving to prevent softening or losing their delicate crunch.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain fresh and maintain their festive sprinkle-studded charm.

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites FAQ

• What ingredients make these shortbread cookies festive?

Red and green sprinkles are mixed directly into the dough, creating a colorful, celebratory look that instantly feels holiday-themed and cheerful.

• How do I ensure my cookies have a perfect texture?

Chilling the dough log for 30 minutes helps firm up the mixture, prevents spreading during baking, and allows flavors to develop more intensely, resulting in a crisp, delicate shortbread.

• Can I customize the sprinkle colors?

Absolutely! You can switch sprinkle colors for different seasons or events – use pastel colors for spring, red and blue for July 4th, or Halloween colors for autumn celebrations.

Why You’ll Adore Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Festive Sprinkle Sensation: Colorful red and green sprinkles transform ordinary shortbread into a celebration of holiday cheer, making these cookies a visual delight that sparkles with festive spirit.
• Simple Slice-and-Bake Magic: Roll the dough into a log, chill, then slice into perfect rounds – no complicated shaping or cutting required, giving even novice bakers a professional-looking result.
• Versatile Holiday Treat: Perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, or adding a sweet touch to family gatherings, these shortbread cookies bring joy and deliciousness to any seasonal occasion.
• Quick Prep, Big Flavor: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can create delectable cookies with minimal effort, letting you spend more time enjoying the holiday moments.

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe

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• Total Time: 42-45 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas shortbread cookie bites deliver delightful holiday cheer with their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Sprinkled with colorful sugar and baked to golden perfection, these tiny treats will quickly become a cherished seasonal tradition for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

main ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter

fat and flavor enhancers:

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

festive decorative ingredients:

• 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles
• 2 tbsp white chocolate chips (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a smooth, flat surface for perfect cookie placement.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy, creating a light base for the shortbread.
3. Sift powdered sugar into the butter, gently folding to create a uniform, silky mixture that will provide delicate sweetness.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract and salt, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the dough.
5. Gradually add all-purpose flour, stirring until a cohesive, crumbly dough forms that can be easily shaped.
6. Fold in festive red and green sprinkles, distributing them uniformly to create a colorful, celebratory appearance.
7. Transfer the dough to a flat surface and gently knead, ensuring the sprinkles are evenly dispersed throughout.
8. Roll the dough into a compact log, approximately 2 inches in diameter, wrapping tightly in plastic wrap.
9. Chill the dough log in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up and enhance flavor development.
10. Remove from refrigerator and slice into bite-sized rounds, approximately 1/2 inch thick.
11. Arrange cookie bites on the prepared baking sheet, leaving slight spacing between each piece.
12. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden brown, indicating perfect doneness.
13. Optional: Melt white chocolate chips and drizzle over cooled cookies for an extra festive touch.
14. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, letting them set and develop a crisp, delicate texture.

Notes

• Customize sprinkle colors to match different holidays or personal preferences, creating festive variations throughout the year.
• Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming, which helps achieve a more consistent and tender shortbread texture.
• Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect bite-sized shape during baking, resulting in neat, uniform cookies.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the delicate shortbread crumb and flavor.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scottish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg