Jolly Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe for Festive Joy

Buttery christmas shortbread cookie bites spark memories of cozy holiday gatherings with loved ones.

Crisp edges and melt-in-mouth textures define these delightful treats.

Sweet crumbs promise pure delight for anyone seeking festive comfort.

Powdered sugar dusting adds a magical touch to these miniature delicacies.

Warm kitchens fill with nostalgic aromas that transport you to cherished childhood moments.

Baking these tiny treasures connects generations through shared culinary joy.

One bite promises pure holiday happiness that you won’t want to miss.

Why Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Are A Holiday Hit

• Create Holiday Magic: Transform simple ingredients into festive, colorful shortbread cookies that capture the spirit of celebration with vibrant sprinkles and crushed candy canes.
• Master Beginner-Friendly Baking: Follow straightforward steps that make these cookies accessible for novice bakers, requiring minimal technical skills and basic kitchen tools.
• Customize with Seasonal Flair: Personalize the cookies by experimenting with different sprinkle colors or adding unique mix-ins that reflect your individual holiday style and creativity.
• Prep-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the dough in advance and chill, allowing for stress-free baking when entertaining guests or managing busy holiday schedules.

Ingredients To Make Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture to the festive shortbread cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds a delicate sweetness and contributes to the soft, crumbly texture of the cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile and balances the sweetness of the shortbread.

• Butter: A key ingredient that creates a rich, buttery flavor and helps achieve the classic shortbread crumbly texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic essence that elevates the cookie's flavor.

• Red Sprinkles, Green Sprinkles, Crushed Candy Canes: These colorful additions bring a festive holiday spirit and add a delightful crunch to the shortbread cookies.

How To Bake Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Just Right

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for perfect cookie performance.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Powdered sugar
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until they look light and fluffy.

Step 3: Work the Butter

Slice cold butter into tiny cubes and blend into the dry mix. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to create a crumbly texture that looks like coarse breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Add Flavor Boost

Splash vanilla extract over the mixture and gently fold it through, spreading the delicious aroma evenly.

Step 5: Create Holiday Cheer

• Red sprinkles
• Green sprinkles
• Crushed candy canes

Distribute these colorful bits throughout the dough for a magical look.

Step 6: Shape the Dough

Knead the mixture gently until it forms a smooth ball. Don’t overwork the dough – keep it delicate.

Step 7: Form a Cookie Log

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

Step 8: Chill and Relax

Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This helps the flavors blend and makes the dough easier to slice.

Step 9: Slice and Prepare

Pull out the chilled dough and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Place cookies 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.

Step 10: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. Watch for golden brown edges that signal a crispy, tender shortbread.

Step 11: Cool Down

Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet before moving to a wire rack.

Step 12: Store and Enjoy

Tuck these festive treats into an airtight container and enjoy throughout the holiday season.

Tips For Perfect Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Select Premium Butter: Choose high-quality, unsalted butter for the richest, most luxurious flavor and optimal texture in your shortbread cookies.
• Prevent Overworking Dough: Mix ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, crumbly consistency that defines classic shortbread.
• Chill for Perfect Shape: Refrigerating the dough helps cookies hold their shape and prevents spreading during baking, ensuring clean, crisp edges.
• Control Sprinkle Distribution: Gently fold holiday sprinkles and candy canes to create an even, festive appearance without compromising the dough's delicate structure.
• Precise Baking Timing: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges turn golden to prevent overcooking and maintain a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Fun Flavor Twists For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Gluten-Free Holiday Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for celiac-friendly version, maintaining same festive sprinkle charm.
• Chocolate Peppermint Shortbread: Swap half the flour with cocoa powder and add extra crushed candy canes for intense chocolate-mint flavor profile.
• Vegan Winter Treats: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, ensuring plant-based eaters can enjoy these seasonal cookies with identical crumbly texture.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of powdered sugar, reducing overall sugar content while preserving delicate shortbread essence.

What To Enjoy With Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Savor Holiday Cheer with Perfect Pairings
• Brew Festive Hot Cocoa: Warm, rich hot chocolate complements the buttery shortbread cookies, with marshmallows adding extra sweetness and creating a cozy winter treat.
• Pair with Peppermint Tea: Crisp, cool peppermint tea enhances the candy cane flavors in the cookies, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich, crumbly texture.
• Indulge with Eggnog: Creamy, spiced eggnog balances the delicate shortbread, its velvety smoothness matching the cookies' tender crumb and holiday spirit.
• Complement with Spiced Chai Latte: Warm, aromatic chai with hints of cinnamon and cardamom creates a delightful backdrop for the festive sprinkle-studded cookies.

How To Keep Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between each row to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their crisp texture and festive flavor.
• Wrap the entire batch tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness and taste preservation.
• Place cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent texture degradation.
• Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain their delicate shortbread texture.

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites FAQs You’ll Love

• Are these cookies hard to make?

These cookies are simple and beginner-friendly. The recipe requires basic baking skills and minimal ingredients, making them easy to prepare even for novice bakers.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe. Salted butter might slightly alter the flavor profile, so adjust seasonings accordingly for best results.

• How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color into the dough?

Use high-quality, food-grade sprinkles and fold them gently into the dough. Avoid overmixing, which can cause color bleeding and disrupt the festive appearance.

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 bring holiday cheer with their delicate crumble and merry flavor profile. Buttery, crisp, and sprinkled with seasonal joy, these mini treats will delight you during winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Festive Add-ins:

• 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a smooth, even surface for your festive cookie bites.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, powdered sugar, and salt, creating a light and airy dry ingredient base.
3. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and incorporate into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the texture resembles coarse, crumbly breadcrumbs.
4. Drizzle vanilla extract over the mixture and gently fold in, allowing the aromatic essence to distribute evenly throughout the dough.
5. Carefully fold in the vibrant red and green sprinkles and crushed candy canes, distributing them uniformly to create a festive, colorful appearance.
6. Gather the dough together and knead gently until it forms a cohesive ball, being careful not to overwork the mixture.
7. Roll the dough into a compact log, approximately 2 inches in diameter, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
8. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up and allow the flavors to meld together.
9. Remove the chilled dough and slice into 1/2-inch thick rounds, placing them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
10. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, creating a crisp and tender shortbread texture.
11. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
12. Store in an airtight container, enjoying these festive, melt-in-your-mouth cookie bites throughout the holiday season.

Notes

• Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie’s shape, ensuring a perfect bite-sized treat.
• For gluten-free options, swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free blend, keeping the same measurements and texture.
• Customize sprinkle colors to match different holidays or events, transforming these shortbread bites into year-round celebratory snacks.
• Use room temperature butter if you prefer a softer mixing process, but cold butter creates a flakier, more traditional shortbread texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 138
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg