Jolly Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe for Sweet Joy

Crisp winter nights call for the perfect christmas shortbread cookie bites that melt effortlessly on your tongue.

These delicate morsels pack a festive punch of sweet memories and buttery goodness.

Generations of bakers have perfected this classic treat with simple ingredients and pure love.

Delightfully crumbly and rich, the shortbread cookie bites bring warmth to holiday gatherings.

Each tiny bite delivers a sugary whisper of comfort and tradition.

The recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into extraordinary moments of joy.

Dive into this delectable adventure and create lasting memories with every delicate, buttery morsel.

What Goes In Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Butter: Creamy foundation that provides rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and delightful flavor for the shortbread.
• Powdered Sugar: Silky sweetener that creates tender, delicate cookie crumb with smooth consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic enhancer that deepens the overall warmth and complexity of the cookie's flavor profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Structural component that gives the cookies their classic shortbread crumbly texture and holds everything together.
• Salt: Subtle flavor enhancer that balances the sweetness and intensifies the butter's richness.

• Holiday Sprinkles: Colorful, cheerful mix that adds whimsical visual appeal and festive Christmas spirit to the cookie bites, making them look extra special and celebratory.

Tools You’ll Need For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Electric mixer or hand whisk: Essential for creaming butter and sugar smoothly.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ingredients and preparing the dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Baking sheets: Needed to bake the shortbread cookie bites.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
• Small scoop or spoon: Helps create uniform cookie size when shaping dough.

How To Make Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Oven Warmup

Cozy up your kitchen by preparing the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper, creating a smooth canvas for your delightful treats.

• Dough Creation

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip the softened butter and powdered sugar into a dreamy, cloud-like mixture. Splash in vanilla for an aromatic touch. Gently introduce flour and salt, blending until the dough feels just right. Sprinkle in festive holiday confetti to add a burst of color and cheer.

• Cookie Sphere Formation

Roll the dough into tiny, adorable marble-sized balls. Arrange these little gems on your prepared baking sheets, giving each one a bit of breathing room.

• Golden Transformation

Slide the baking sheets into the warm oven. Watch as these tiny spheres transform into golden-edged delights in about 8-10 minutes.

• Cooling and Sharing

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a brief moment. Transfer them to a cooling rack where they’ll become perfectly crisp. Once cooled, tuck them into a sealed container or package them in charming gift tins to spread some holiday joy.

Tips For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Festive Flavor Boosters: Elevate Your Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites
• Butter Brilliance: Use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature for the smoothest, richest texture. European-style butter adds extra richness and depth to these delicate cookies.
• Sprinkle Strategy: Mix holiday sprinkles gently to prevent color bleeding. Opt for nonpareils or small sugar crystals that won't bleed into the dough and maintain their festive look.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. This allows flavors to develop and makes holiday baking less stressful. Let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before shaping.
• Dietary Delights: For gluten-free versions, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Vegan bakers can substitute butter with coconut oil and use plant-based powdered sugar for equally delicious results.
• Gift-Worthy Upgrades: Drizzle cooled cookies with melted white chocolate or dark chocolate. Roll edges in crushed candy canes or colored sugar for an extra festive touch that makes these bite-sized treats perfect for holiday gifting.

Ways To Serve Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Festive Gift Packaging: Wrap these adorable cookie bites in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for holiday gifts or party favors.
• Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange the shortbread bites alongside other Christmas cookies, creating a colorful and tempting dessert display with varying textures and sizes.
• Cocoa Companion: Serve these sweet, bite-sized treats alongside warm hot chocolate or peppermint mocha for a delightful Christmas evening snack that melts in your mouth.
• Sprinkle Variation: Customize the cookies by using different colored holiday sprinkles or swap them for crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist.

Storage Guide For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, maintaining their delightful crunch and festive flavor.

• Cookie Freezing Magic: Freeze unbaked dough balls on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 3 months; bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to baking time.
• Gift-Ready Packaging: Nestle cooled cookies in festive tins or clear cellophane bags tied with ribbons, perfect for holiday sharing and spreading cheer.
• Moisture Management: Place a small piece of bread in the storage container to help cookies retain softness and prevent them from becoming too crisp.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

Crispy Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

These delightful Christmas shortbread cookie bites bring festive cheer to holiday gatherings. Buttery, crumbly, and infused with seasonal spices, they offer a perfect sweet nibble for winter celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (40 g) holiday sprinkles
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare Workspace: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cookie release.
2. Create Butter Base: Whip softened butter and powdered sugar until achieving a pillowy, aerated texture that’s light and smooth.
3. Flavor and Blend: Infuse the butter mixture with vanilla extract, then gently fold in flour and salt until a consistent dough forms without excessive manipulation.
4. Decorate Dough: Distribute holiday sprinkles evenly throughout the mixture, ensuring colorful integration and festive appearance.
5. Shape Cookies: Roll miniature dough spheres using delicate motions, creating uniform marble-sized bites with precision and consistency.
6. Bake and Monitor: Arrange dough balls on prepared sheets with one-inch spacing, then bake 8-10 minutes until edges turn delicately golden.
7. Cool and Set: Rest cookies on baking sheet for five minutes to stabilize structure, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
8. Preserve and Present: Once fully cooled, store in airtight container or package in decorative tins for elegant holiday gifting.

Notes

• Control Butter Temperature: Ensure butter is softened but not melted, creating the perfect creamy base for tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.
• Avoid Overworking Dough: Mix ingredients gently to prevent tough cookies, stopping just when the dough comes together to maintain a delicate, crumbly texture.
• Uniform Size Matters: Use a small cookie scoop or consistently roll marble-sized balls to guarantee even baking and professional-looking presentation.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Check cookies at 8 minutes, looking for barely golden edges to prevent overbaking and maintain a soft, delicate shortbread texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg