Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites, perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting. These buttery, tender cookies are infused with vanilla and colorful holiday sprinkles, rolled into bite-sized balls, and baked to a delicate golden finish on the bottom while remaining pale and soft on top.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for rolling)
- Additional holiday sprinkles for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well combined. This step adds lightness to the dough.
- Add Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract, which adds a lovely flavor base to the cookies.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, stirring or mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold the holiday sprinkles into the dough until they are evenly distributed, creating festive colorful bursts within each cookie bite.
- Form Cookie Bites: Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. If desired, roll each ball in granulated sugar to add sparkle and a slight crunch.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, watching closely so that the bottoms turn lightly golden while the tops remain pale and soft.
- Cool: Let the baked cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes to firm up slightly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, preventing sogginess.
Notes
- Use red, green, and white sprinkles for a festive holiday appearance.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Freeze cookies for up to two months, making them perfect for preparing ahead of holiday events.
- These bite-sized cookies make wonderful gifts or party treats during the holiday season.
