These festive Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are a perfect treat to add to your holiday celebrations! They combine the richness of buttery shortbread with a soft texture, light golden edges, and a delightful sprinkle of red, green, and white holiday sprinkles. Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party or looking to gift something homemade, these cookies will definitely bring holiday cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I absolutely love this recipe because it’s incredibly easy to make and always turns out beautifully. The dough comes together in just a few minutes, and the cookies are baked to perfection with a slightly crisp edge and a melt-in-your-mouth softness. The holiday sprinkles not only give them a festive look but also add a fun crunch. The simplicity of the ingredients, along with the rich buttery flavor, makes these shortbread cookie bites an irresistible holiday treat. Plus, they’re perfect for sharing and gifting!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, and white)
Directions
Make the Dough:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter-sugar mixture. Stir until a soft dough begins to form. If the dough feels dry, gently knead it with your hands until smooth.
Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Shape the Cookie Bites:
Roll the dough into small balls, roughly the size of a marble (about 1/2 inch or 1.25 cm in diameter). Alternatively, you can roll the dough into a log and slice it into small cubes for a uniform shape.
Place the dough balls or cubes onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure to leave a little space between each one to allow for expansion while baking.
Bake the Cookie Bites:
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just lightly golden.
Once baked, remove the cookie bites from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Decoration:
For an extra festive touch, drizzle the cooled cookie bites with melted white chocolate and sprinkle a few more holiday sprinkles on top.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 60-70 cookie bites
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
Add a touch of flavor: Try adding a teaspoon of almond extract or lemon zest for a unique twist.
Dip in chocolate: For extra indulgence, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate and top with crushed peppermint or candy cane bits.
Shape options: Instead of rolling the dough into balls, you can use cookie cutters to create festive shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Store these shortbread bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Make sure to place parchment paper between layers of cookies to prevent them from sticking.
Reheating: These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you want to reheat them, simply place them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3-5 minutes to warm them up without losing their texture.
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FAQs
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
To make these shortbread sugar cookie bites gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that your flour blend includes xanthan gum, or add 1/4 teaspoon of it to help bind the dough.
Can I freeze the dough before baking?
Yes! If you’d like to prepare the dough in advance, you can freeze it. Roll the dough into balls or shape it as desired, place the cookie bites on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookie bites to an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the baking time.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
While it’s always best to use unsalted butter to control the amount of salt in your recipe, you can use salted butter if that’s all you have. Just omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid making the cookies too salty.
Can I add more sprinkles?
Definitely! If you love sprinkles, feel free to add more, or even use different colors to fit your personal preference or the holiday theme you’re celebrating.
How do I know when the cookies are done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the tops appear set. Since these cookies are small, they bake quickly, so keep an eye on them to prevent overbaking.
Conclusion
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are a simple, yet incredibly tasty treat to add to your holiday festivities. With their buttery flavor, festive sprinkles, and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether for sharing with friends and family or gifting to loved ones, they bring a touch of holiday magic to any occasion.
📖 Recipe:
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Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 60-70 cookie bites
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are a festive treat that combines the buttery richness of shortbread with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, making them perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, golden-edged cookies are topped with colorful red, green, and white holiday sprinkles, adding a fun crunch and a vibrant touch to your Christmas parties or gift-giving. Easy to make and wonderfully delicious, these bite-sized cookies will surely bring joy to your seasonal festivities.
Ingredients
1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (red, green, and white)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter-sugar mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels dry, knead it with your hands until smooth.
- Add Sprinkles: Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small balls, about the size of a marble (1/2 inch or 1.25 cm in diameter). Alternatively, roll the dough into a log and slice it into cubes for uniform shapes.
- Bake: Place the dough balls or cubes on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Cool and Optional Decoration: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. For added festive flair, drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate and top with extra sprinkles.
Notes
You can make the dough in advance and freeze it. Roll into balls or shapes, freeze until solid, then store in an airtight container. Bake directly from the freezer, adding extra time if needed.
For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend with xanthan gum.
Feel free to add more sprinkles or even switch up the colors to match your holiday theme.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies, Holiday Treats
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 60-70 cookie bites
- Calories: Approximately 50 kcal per serving
