If you’re looking for a classic, buttery Christmas cookie that melts in your mouth and looks stunning on any holiday platter, these Shortbread Christmas Cookies are the perfect choice. With their rich, delicate texture and simple, timeless flavor, shortbread cookies have always been a holiday favorite — and for good reason.
Made from just a few pantry staples, these cookies bake up beautifully golden, crisp at the edges, and tender in the center. Decorate them with festive sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, colored sugar, or simply leave them plain for a rustic, elegant look. They’re easy to make, easy to gift, and absolutely irresistible with coffee, hot cocoa, or a glass of cold milk.
Why You’ll Love Shortbread Christmas Cookies
These cookies are simple, festive, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
- Classic buttery shortbread flavor
- Only 4 main ingredients
- Perfect for decorating, gifting, and cookie boxes
- Excellent make-ahead cookie — stays fresh for days
- Crisp, tender, and elegant
- Beautifully holds shapes from cookie cutters
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Shortbread cookies are timeless — beautifully simple yet incredibly delicious. This recipe gives you a foolproof dough that rolls easily, holds shape perfectly, and bakes into the most delicate, buttery cookies. Whether you’re making snowflakes, trees, stars, or classic rounds, these shortbread cookies will be a hit on any Christmas cookie tray.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (or almond extract)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional Decoration
- Holiday sprinkles
- Melted white or dark chocolate
- Colored sanding sugar
- Royal icing
- Crushed candy canes
How to Make Shortbread Christmas Cookies (Detailed)
1. Cream the Butter & Sugar
Beat softened butter and powdered sugar until light, creamy, and fluffy — about 2 minutes.
2. Add Vanilla
Mix in vanilla extract (or almond extract for a bakery-style flavor).
3. Add Flour & Salt
Gradually mix in flour and salt until dough forms.
The dough will be soft and slightly crumbly — this is normal.
4. Chill the Dough
Shape dough into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30–45 minutes.
Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape.
5. Roll and Cut
Roll dough to ¼-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut shapes:
⭐ Snowflakes
🎄 Trees
❄️ Stars
🎁 Stockings
❤️ Hearts
6. Bake
Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets.
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
7. Cool & Decorate
Cool on wire racks.
Decorate with sprinkles, chocolate drizzle, icing, or leave plain for a classic shortbread look.
Nutritional Information (Estimated per cookie)
- Calories: 115
- Protein: 1g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fat: 7g
- Sugar: 5g
Tips for the Best Shortbread Cookies
- Use softened butter — it’s the main flavor!
- Powdered sugar gives the cookies a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Chill the dough to prevent spreading.
- Roll dough evenly for perfect baking.
- Don’t overbake — pale edges = tender cookies.
- Dip in melted chocolate for a gourmet touch.
- Add sprinkles before baking if you want them to stick strongly.
Variations & Substitutions
- Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread: Dip half the cookie in melted chocolate.
- Almond Shortbread: Use almond extract.
- Peppermint Shortbread: Add crushed candy canes.
- Lemon Shortbread: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest.
- Spiced Christmas Shortbread: Add cinnamon + nutmeg.
- Jam-Filled Shortbread: Punch a center hole and add jam after baking.
What to Serve with Shortbread Cookies
- Hot chocolate
- Peppermint mocha
- Christmas tea blends
- Eggnog
- Holiday brunch spreads
- Dessert boards and cookie boxes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing the dough: Makes cookies tough.
- Using warm butter: Dough becomes sticky and spreads.
- Skipping the chill: Cookies lose their shape.
- Overbaking: Shortbread should be pale, not brown.
- Rolling too thin: Makes cookies too crispy.
Storing Tips
- Store at room temperature for 1–2 weeks.
- Freeze dough up to 3 months.
- Freeze baked cookies for 2 months.
- Keep in airtight tins for gifting — they stay perfectly crisp!
Conclusion
These Shortbread Christmas Cookies are classic, festive, and delicious — perfect for holiday baking, gifting, cookie exchanges, or cozy winter nights. Buttery, tender, lightly sweet, and beautifully shaped, they bring timeless charm to any Christmas dessert spread.
Recipe FAQ’s
Do I have to chill the dough?
Yes — it prevents spreading and ensures perfect shapes.
Can I use salted butter?
You can, but reduce added salt to a pinch.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — make up to 3 days ahead and refrigerate.
Why is my dough crumbly?
Shortbread dough is naturally crumbly. Press it together with hands and it will come together.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes! They freeze beautifully baked or unbaked.