Description
Festive Christmas shortbread cookie bites bring holiday cheer with their buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Sprinkled with colorful sugar and infused with peppermint, these miniature treats will delight your senses and spread seasonal joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Festive Mix-ins:
- 1/4 cup red and green sprinkles
- 1/4 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a smooth, even surface for your festive shortbread bites.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter until smooth and fluffy, incorporating the vanilla extract to enhance the rich, buttery flavor.
- Sift together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a separate bowl, creating a light and uniform dry mixture.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, gently combining until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Carefully incorporate the red and green sprinkles and crushed candy canes, distributing them evenly throughout the dough to create a vibrant, festive appearance.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead to ensure the mix-ins are well integrated.
- Roll the dough into a compact log, approximately 2 inches in diameter, and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Remove the chilled dough and slice into bite-sized rounds, each about 1/2 inch thick, ensuring uniform sizing for consistent baking.
- Arrange the shortbread bites on the prepared baking sheet, leaving slight space between each piece to allow for minimal spreading.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn a delicate golden brown, signaling their perfect doneness.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack, letting them set and develop their signature crisp texture.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and maintains the shortbread’s delicate shape during baking.
- Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better incorporation of ingredients, ensuring a more uniform texture.
- Crush candy canes finely to distribute color and flavor evenly throughout the shortbread, creating a balanced festive bite.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the cookie’s delicate crumb and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scottish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg