Holiday Shortbread Bites Recipe
These Holiday Shortbread Bites are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth mini cookies baked into bite-sized perfection and tossed with festive sprinkles for the ultimate Christmas treat. With just a few simple ingredients, they’re easy to make, irresistibly tender, and perfect for gifting, snacking, or adding to any holiday cookie tray.
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup 225 g unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup 100 g granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups 250 g all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional toppings:
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
- Colored sugar or sprinkles
- Chopped nuts
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the dough
- In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add vanilla and mix until combined.
- Gradually add flour and salt. Mix until the dough forms.
- Don’t overmix. It keeps the cookies tender.
Step 2: Shape the cookies
- Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Flatten each ball slightly with your hand or a fork.
Step 3: Chill the dough (optional but recommended)
- Chill the shaped dough for 15–20 minutes.
- Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape during baking.
Step 4: Bake the cookies
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Bake cookies for 12–15 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
- Don’t overbake; shortbread should stay pale.
Step 5: Cool and decorate
- Let cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
- Drizzle melted chocolate or sprinkle colored sugar on top.
- Store in an airtight container once cooled.
Video
Notes
📝 Notes
- Use unsalted butter for better control of sweetness and saltiness.
- Chill dough for 30 minutes before cutting to prevent spreading.
- Add finely chopped nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Cut into uniform pieces for even baking.
- Bake until edges are lightly golden, not brown.
- Cool completely before storing to maintain texture.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Optionally dust with powdered sugar for a festive presentation.