Christmas Shortbread is a classic holiday treat, with a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. These festive cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a homemade gift. You can decorate them with sprinkles, icing, or dip them in chocolate for extra holiday flair.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Festive sprinkles or colored sugar (optional for decoration)
- Melted chocolate or icing (optional for decorating)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients:
- Sift the flour and salt into the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Shape the dough:
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use Christmas-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes. Gather the scraps and re-roll the dough as needed.
- Decorate (optional):
- If desired, sprinkle festive sprinkles or colored sugar over the cookies before baking.
- Bake the shortbread:
- Transfer the shaped cookies to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden. Be careful not to overbake as shortbread should remain light in color.
- Cool and decorate:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you like, drizzle or dip the cookies in melted chocolate, or decorate with icing for a festive touch.
- Serve or store:
- Once the cookies are completely cooled and decorated, store them in an airtight container for up to a week, or freeze them for longer storage.
Enjoy these buttery, crumbly Christmas Shortbread cookies as part of your holiday traditions. They’re perfect with a cup of tea or hot cocoa and make delightful holiday gifts!
