Cookies – A Melt-in-Your-Mouth Holiday Treat!
These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are the ultimate holiday indulgence — buttery, soft, and delicately sweet. With a rich, crumbly texture that practically melts in your mouth, they’re the perfect addition to any festive dessert tray. Simple to make and endlessly customizable with colorful sprinkles or drizzles of chocolate, these cookies will bring instant Christmas cheer to your kitchen!
Ingredients:
¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
⅔ cup (80g) powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract
1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (25g) cornstarch
¼ teaspoon salt
Holiday sprinkles, jimmies, or nonpareils for decoration
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Add the flavoring:
Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts until well combined.
4. Combine the dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the creamed butter, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
5. Shape the cookies:
Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough per cookie, roll it into a ball, and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each cookie with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
6. Decorate:
Sprinkle the tops with festive holiday sprinkles or nonpareils before baking.
7. Bake:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn lightly golden. Don’t overbake — the cookies should stay pale and tender.
8. Cool:
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Optional Finishing Touch:
For an extra festive flair, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted white or dark chocolate and add a few more sprinkles on top.
These buttery Christmas shortbread cookies are guaranteed to become a family favorite — perfect for cookie exchanges, gift boxes, or enjoying with a warm cup of cocoa by the tree. ✨
