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Christmas Shortbread Cookies

Christmas Shortbread Cookies
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Christmas Shortbread Cookies are classic buttery, melt-in-your-mouth holiday treats with a silky, crumbly texture and rich flavor. Made from simple pantry staples like all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, these cookies are easy to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for gifting or festive celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Basic Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (cold)
  • 3/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Variations

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted almonds or pecans (for nutty crunch)
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom (for spiced delight)
  • Gluten-free flour blend as a 1:1 substitute for all-purpose flour (for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary (for rosemary and lemon zest flavor)
  • Melted dark or white chocolate (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: Beat together the unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is fluffy and pale. This step is key to ensuring your cookies have a tender crumb and that buttery flavor spreads evenly throughout.
  2. Add Vanilla and Salt: Mix in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to amplify the richness and balance the sweetness, creating that classic shortbread taste everyone loves.
  3. Incorporate the Flour: Sift the all-purpose flour gradually into the butter mixture. Use a spoon or your hands to bring the dough together gently, being careful not to overwork it to keep that perfect crumbly texture.
  4. Shape the Dough: Once the dough comes together, press it into your desired shapes. You can roll it out and use cookie cutters for festive shapes or simply form logs to slice into rounds.
  5. Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the shaped dough for at least 30 minutes. This step helps the cookies hold their shape during baking and enhances the texture.
  6. Bake Until Just Golden: Bake your Christmas Shortbread Cookies at 325°F (160°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the edges start to turn a soft golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking as they can dry out quickly.
  7. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before enjoying or decorating. This ensures the cookies firm up perfectly and gives you that satisfying snap with every bite.

Notes

  • Use cold butter: For best texture, keep your butter chilled until just before creaming.
  • Don’t overmix: Mixing too long can make cookies tough instead of tender and crumbly.
  • Chill the dough: Helps maintain the shape throughout baking and enhances flavor.
  • Use parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures even baking.
  • Customize after baking: Add glazes or sprinkles once cookies are cool for festive presentation.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas cookies, shortbread, holiday baking, buttery cookies, festive treats, gluten-free shortbread, easy holiday cookies

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/christmas-shortbread-cookies/