Description
Festive whipped shortbread cookies melt like clouds on winter palates, bringing delicate Canadian Christmas cheer. Sweet butter crumbles create mouthwatering memories you’ll cherish at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
Binding and Texture Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish Ingredients (Optional):
- Sprinkles
- Candied cherries
- Chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 325F (160C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- Create a fluffy base by vigorously whipping softened butter and powdered sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Enhance the flavor profile by introducing vanilla extract and blending thoroughly into the creamed mixture.
- Craft the dry ingredient blend by sifting flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a separate container.
- Gently incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the butter combination, mixing on low speed until just unified. The resulting dough should feel delicate and lightweight.
- Portion the dough using a cookie scoop, placing dollops onto the prepared baking sheet with slight separation between each cookie.
- For aesthetic appeal, delicately press fork marks onto the cookie surfaces or embellish with cherries or preferred decorative elements.
- Transfer the cookie-laden sheet into the preheated oven, baking for 12-15 minutes until edges display a subtle golden hue. Maintain vigilance to prevent excessive browning.
- Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a brief 5-minute cooling period before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling and achieving optimal texture.
Notes
- Butter temperature matters significantly for achieving the perfect whipped texture, so ensure it’s softened but not melted.
- Powdered sugar creates a smoother, more delicate cookie compared to granulated sugar, giving these shortbreads their signature melt-in-your-mouth quality.
- Cornstarch is the secret weapon that helps create an incredibly tender, crumbly texture that sets these cookies apart from traditional shortbread.
- Chilling the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading and maintain the cookies’ delicate shape, especially in warmer kitchen environments.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg