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Nothing embodies the warmth and joy of the holidays quite like the aroma of easy shortbread Christmas cookies baking in the oven. These delightful treats are a staple in many Christmas cookie recipes, offering a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth experience that brings comfort and happiness to any home.

The simplicity of these shortbread treats makes them a perfect addition to any holiday gathering or to your goodie exchange. These treats allow versatility for endless customization, letting you add your favorite flavors or festive decorations. Whether you’re looking to create new traditions or relive cherished memories, baking these will fill your kitchen with a festive spirit that makes the holiday season truly special.

There’s something magical about gathering in the kitchen to bake these easy shortbread treats, a tradition that brings our family and friends together every year. Each bite is like a little piece of nostalgia, wrapped in the love and joy that makes this season so incredibly special.

Our Christmas Cookie Recipes

Want more options? Discover a delightful assortment perfect for your holiday festivities. From the chewy charm of gumdrops to the elegant simplicity of thumbprints, plus the ease of no bake options and the rich decadence of red velvet, there’s something to enchant every palate this season.

• Gumdrop Christmas Cookie Recipe
• Classic Thumbprint Cookies
• No Bake Wreath Cookies
• Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

While you’re here, check out our no bake Christmas cookies and bars as well as these no bake holiday cookies. Some of our family favorites are on these lists!

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Shortbread Cookies

Here’s what you need to make these treats:

• butter: it is the cornerstone of shortbread, providing a rich flavor and creamy texture. Softened butter ensures the dough is easy to mix and creates a tender crumb in these treats.

• powdered sugar: this sugar dissolves easily, giving this a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It also adds just the right amount of sweetness without making the end result overly sugary.

• vanilla: enhances the buttery flavor of the dessert and adds a warm, comforting aroma that is quintessential to holiday baking.

• flour: forms the structure of the treat. It balances the richness of the butter and helps the recipe hold their shape during baking.

• salt: amplifies the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness, ensuring a well-rounded taste.

• sprinkles: these add a festive touch and a pop of color to the treats, making them visually appealing for holiday celebrations.

Glaze Ingredients:

• vanilla: This adds depth to the glaze, complementing the vanilla in this recipe and tying the flavors together harmoniously.

• powdered sugar: Used here for the glaze, it creates a smooth, sweet coating that enhances the visual appeal and adds an extra layer of sweetness.

• milk: Milk thins the powdered sugar to a perfect glaze consistency, making it easy to drizzle over the cookies.

Each ingredient plays a vital role in delivering a classic holiday treat that’s both simple and delightful. Butter, sugar, and flour form the foundation, ensuring a rich, tender texture that melts in the mouth, while vanilla and salt bring out the flavors, creating a perfect balance.

The addition of sprinkles and a sweet glaze not only enhances the cookies’ festive appeal but also adds to the joy of making and sharing them. This straightforward recipe captures the essence of holiday baking, offering an easy yet rewarding way to spread cheer among family and friends.

Fridge Organization

Make sure you let them cool on the baking sheet according to the directions. This helps them firm up slightly, making them easier to transfer. Then, move them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows air to circulate around the dessert, preventing them from becoming soggy and ensuring they maintain their delightful crispness.

To ensure your shortbread cookies stay fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They typically last for about one to two weeks. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure they’re well-wrapped to maintain their flavor and texture. We like to wrap them in cellophane wrap and then put them in a storage container into the freezer.

Baking Essentials at Amazon

Amazon offers a wide range of baking essentials that cater to both beginners and experienced bakers alike. From high-quality bakeware and tools to specialty ingredients, you can find everything you need to create delectable desserts and baked goods with ease.

KitchenAid Ribbed Soft Silicone Oven Mitt Set, 7Ice Cream Scoop, 3Pcs Cookie Scoop Set, 18/8 Stainless Steel Cookie Dough Scoop, Cookie Scoops for Baking Set of 3, Ice Cream Scooper with Trigger Release, Cookie Scooper for Baking, Cupcake ScoopAmazon Basics 6 Piece Nonstick, Carbon Steel Oven Bakeware Baking Set, 40.5 cm x 28.5 cm x 15 cmWEPSEN 5-Speed Electric Hand Mixer, 4 Large Mixing Bowls Set, Handheld Mixers with Whisks Beater, Stainless Steel Metal Nesting Bowl Measuring Cups Spoons Kitchen Cake Blender for Baking SuppliesHOTEC Food Grade Silicone Rubber Spatula Set for Baking, Cooking, and Mixing High Heat Resistant Non Stick Dishwasher Safe BPA-Free Multicolor Set of 5Checkered Chef Cooling Rack – 8” x 11 ¾

 

Why are these cookies called shortbread?

They get their name from the term “short,” which refers to the high fat content in the dough, primarily from butter. This fat content inhibits the formation of gluten strands, resulting in a crumbly, tender texture. The word “short” in baking is often associated with pastries and cookies that have a rich, buttery consistency, which is exactly what makes shortbread so deliciously melt-in-your-mouth!

What are common mistakes when making shortbread?

When baking shortbread, several common mistakes can affect their texture and flavor. Here’s how to avoid these pitfalls for perfect treats every time:

1. Overworking the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough results because it develops gluten in the flour. To prevent this, mix the ingredients just until they come together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
2. Incorrect Butter Temperature: Using butter that is too cold or too warm can lead to inconsistent texture. Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature, where it’s pliable but not melting. This allows for even mixing and contributes to the tender crumb of the treats.
3. Baking Time Errors: Overbaking can result in hard, dry results. Shortbread should be baked until the edges are just turning golden. Keep a close eye on them and use a timer to prevent overbaking.
4. Not Chilling the Dough: Skipping this step can cause the recipe to spread too much during baking. Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape.
5. Ignoring Ingredient Ratios: The simplicity of shortbread means each ingredient plays a crucial role. Ensure you measure ingredients accurately to maintain the right balance of flavors and textures.

What happens if you don’t chill shortbread?

No chilling may cause the recipe to spread too much during baking. This can lead to results that are thinner and less uniform in shape, potentially affecting their texture and appearance. Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape and ensures a tender, crumbly texture by allowing the butter to firm up before baking.

I know that it might feel like a nuisance, but refrigerating the dough is worth the results. Just make sure you plan ahead and allot for the chill time. You can always work on another recipe while this dough is in the fridge.

What is the secret to making good shortbread?

To create exceptional shortbread cookies, follow these key tips and secrets:

1. Use High-Quality Butter: The rich, buttery flavor is the hallmark of shortbread, so choose high-quality, unsalted butter. Its flavor and fat content are crucial for the recipe’s texture and taste.
2. Precise Measurements: Shortbread relies on a simple recipe with minimal ingredients, so measuring accurately is essential. Use a kitchen scale for precision, especially with flour, to maintain the perfect balance.
3. Proper Chilling: After mixing your dough, chill it for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the dessert hold their shape during baking and prevents excessive spreading, ensuring a tender texture.
4. Gentle Dough Handling: When mixing the dough, avoid overworking it. Mix just until the ingredients come together to prevent developing gluten, which can toughen the pastires. The dough should be soft and pliable.
5. Baking Techniques: Bake shortbread until the edges are just turning golden. This typically means a light color with a slightly firm but not hard texture. Use a timer and keep a close eye on them to avoid overbaking.
6. Enhance with Flavors: While traditional shortbread is delicious on its own, consider adding flavor twists like vanilla extract, citrus zest, or a sprinkle of sea salt. For texture, mix in chopped nuts or a dusting of sugar just before baking.
7. Uniform Thickness: Roll out the dough to a consistent thickness to ensure even baking. This helps prevent some cookies from being overbaked while others remain undercooked.

What are the best tips for slicing shortbread dough?

To slice shortbread dough effectively, follow these helpful tips for achieving clean cuts and uniform results:

1. Chill the Dough: We already talked about this, but… this step firms up the butter, making the dough easier to cut and helping maintain its shape during baking.
2. Use a Sharp Knife or Dough Cutter: A sharp knife or a dough cutter is essential for making clean, precise cuts. For best results, use a blade with a straight edge to avoid dragging or tearing the dough.
3. Even Thickness: Roll out the dough to a consistent thickness before chilling. This ensures uniform baking and helps maintain the same texture.
4. Cut in One Motion: When slicing, use a single, decisive motion rather than sawing back and forth. This technique minimizes jagged edges and keeps the dough intact.
5. Handle Sticky Dough: If the dough becomes sticky, lightly dust your knife or dough cutter with flour or powdered sugar. Alternatively, you can chill the dough further if it becomes too soft.
6. Use a Ruler for Accuracy: To ensure uniform size and shape, use a ruler to measure each piece of dough before cutting. This consistency is crucial for even baking and an aesthetically pleasing batch of cookies.
7. Clean the Blade Often: Wipe the blade clean between cuts to prevent dough buildup, which can cause uneven slices and affect the texture of the cookies.

Christmas Dessert Recipes

Indulge in the festive spirit with our delightful recipes… where creativity meets deliciousness in yummy treats. Use a cake mix to make cookies, and a fun reindeer treat, plus use Rice Kripsies cereal to make something fun and brownies that are almost too pretty to eat! All of them add a touch of holiday magic to your celebrations.

• Cake Mix Christmas Monster Cookies
• Reindeer Hershey Kiss Pretzels
• Christmas Rice Krispie Trees
• Festive Christmas Brownies