If you’re looking to spread some festive joy with a buttery, tender treat, this Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe is your go-to holiday delight. These little bites combine the classic richness of shortbread with a cheerful sprinkle of Christmas colors, making them irresistible for cookie exchange parties or a cozy night by the fire. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive flair, these cookie bites are guaranteed to become a cherished seasonal favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a delightful role in creating that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive appearance. The buttery base ensures a crisp yet tender cookie, while the sprinkles add a joyful pop of color that screams holiday celebration.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup): Softened to room temperature for easy creaming, it creates the rich and tender crumb that shortbread is famous for.
- Confectioners’ sugar (1/2 cup): Finely powdered to dissolve smoothly, it gives sweetness without graininess and a delicate texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, aromatic depth that complements the buttery flavor beautifully.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor complexity.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The structure behind your cookies, holding everything together with a tender bite.
- Christmas-colored sprinkles (1/4 cup): Adds festive charm and a playful crunch that makes these little bites extra special.
How to Make Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
Begin by creaming the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar together in a large mixing bowl with a stand or hand mixer on medium speed. Beat it for about two minutes until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, helping your shortbread develop a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture you’ll adore.
Step 2: Incorporate Vanilla, Salt, Flour, and Sprinkles
Next, add the vanilla extract and salt to your fluffy mixture, then beat until everything is well combined. Gradually add in the flour and the Christmas-colored sprinkles, mixing just until the dough comes together into a shaggy form. Don’t overmix here, as that can toughen the cookies.
Step 3: Form the Dough Ball
Once your dough looks a little crumbly, use your hands to gently shape it into a smooth ball. It might feel slightly dry at first, but don’t worry—that’s completely normal. As you work with it, the warmth of your hands will soften the dough, making it easier to handle.
Step 4: Flatten and Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions, placing each inside a sandwich-sized Ziploc bag. Seal them up and gently roll the dough flat with a rolling pin until it’s about half an inch thick. Refrigerate these flattened dough slabs for at least 2 hours or up to overnight. This chilling step is key for firming up the dough so your bite-sized cookies hold their shape perfectly while baking.
Step 5: Prepare for Baking
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F and line a half-sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. These liners ensure your cookies won’t stick and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 6: Slice and Chill Dough Pieces
Take one chilled dough slab out of the fridge and carefully cut away the plastic bag. Slice the dough into small squares about half an inch wide, arranging them neatly on your baking sheet about half an inch apart. Slide the tray back into the fridge while your oven heats to keep everything cool and ready.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your cookie bites for 8 to 10 minutes, watching closely as the edges just start to turn a light golden brown. This is your cue that the cookies have the perfect crispness while still retaining that tender shortbread center.
Step 8: Cool Completely
After baking, let your Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites cool directly in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully is essential to set the texture and enhance that delightful buttery flavor.
How to Serve Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe
Garnishes
While the festive sprinkles add plenty of charm, you can elevate these cookie bites with a light dusting of additional confectioners’ sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate. Fresh rosemary sprigs placed alongside add a delightful herbal aroma that complements the buttery treats beautifully.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookie bites alongside a warm cup of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or even mulled wine for cozy gatherings. They also pair wonderfully with a simple cheese platter featuring mild cheeses, which contrast the sweet richness of the shortbread perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For an eye-catching holiday display, stack the cookies in a mason jar layered with twinkling fairy lights inside, or arrange them on a festive platter accented with evergreen sprigs and cranberries. Wrapping small boxes or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons makes them perfect as thoughtful gifts for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites stay fresh for up to a week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Keeping them sealed prevents them from drying out and preserves their buttery goodness.
Freezing
You can freeze the dough before baking or freeze baked cookies for longer storage. Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, place them in a freezer-safe container with layers separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking.
Reheating
To enjoy your frozen cookie bites at their best, gently thaw them at room temperature. If you want a warm treat, pop them in a preheated 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to refresh their delicate crispness without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sprinkles with nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! While the Christmas-colored sprinkles add a festive touch, chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips work beautifully too. They change the texture slightly but keep the shortbread flavor intact.
What if my dough feels too dry and crumbly?
If the dough seems too dry, try warming your hands slightly and gently knead the dough to bring it together. You can also add a teaspoon of milk if necessary, but this is rarely needed.
How thick should I roll the dough?
Rolling the dough to about half an inch thick is ideal for cookie bites. This thickness ensures they bake evenly, yielding that perfect tender crunch and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the saltiness of your shortbread.
How long can I refrigerate the dough before baking?
The dough can be chilled for 2 hours up to overnight. This resting time helps firm up the dough and enhances the flavor, making your Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites even better.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about these little bites of buttery goodness with their festive sparkle. This Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe is easy to make, wonderfully flavorful, and perfect for sharing the holiday spirit. Once you try them, I promise you’ll want to make them a holiday tradition year after year!
Print
Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 45 (1/2-inch) cookie bites
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites are delightful, buttery treats perfect for holiday celebrations. Made with simple ingredients like unsalted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and festive sprinkles, these bite-sized cookies offer a tender, crumbly texture and a hint of vanilla. Easy to make and beautifully decorated, they are an ideal festive snack or gift.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup Christmas-coloured sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed to cream the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Add Flavor and Mix Dough: Beat in the vanilla extract and salt until combined. Add the all-purpose flour and Christmas sprinkles, mixing until the mixture forms a shaggy dough.
- Form Dough Ball: Use your hands to shape the dough into a smooth ball. The dough may feel slightly dry at first but will soften as you work with it.
- Flatten and Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two portions. Place each portion inside a sandwich-sized Ziploc bag, seal, and use a rolling pin to flatten the dough to roughly 1/2-inch thickness. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight to firm up.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a half sheet baking pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Slice Dough Into Squares: Remove one dough slab from the fridge, cut away the bag, and slice the dough into small 1/2-inch squares. Arrange the cookie bites on the prepared baking sheet about 1/2-inch apart. Place the tray back into the refrigerator while the oven preheats.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges just begin to brown lightly.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the best texture.
- Refrigerating the dough is important to prevent spreading during baking.
- You can substitute the Christmas sprinkles with any themed sprinkles or omit them for plain shortbread.
- The cookies should have a light golden edge when done; avoid overbaking to maintain a tender texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
