Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
If you’re looking for the most charming, festive, and downright irresistible treat this season, you’ve found your new holiday favorite with Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites. These bite-sized delights are buttery, melt-in-your-mouth soft, and bedazzled with colorful holiday sprinkles for a dessert that’s as vibrant on a cookie tray as it is delicious. Every morsel is loaded with simple goodness and nostalgic Christmas cheer—making them every bit as fun to prepare as they are to eat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites is in their simplicity. Each ingredient serves a crucial purpose in bringing out that classic rich flavor, delicate crumbly texture, and signature festive appearance.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The star ingredient for that signature buttery shortbread bite; be sure it’s truly soft for easy mixing.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): Lends a smooth, light sweetness and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds comforting warmth and depth—don’t skip the real stuff if possible!
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The foundation of these cookies, providing just the right structure and crispness.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Just enough to balance the sweet and amplify all those flavors.
- Holiday sprinkles (1/4 cup, plus more for topping): These bring the holiday magic and a delightful crunch; choose your favorite festive mix for maximum cheer.
How to Make Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this keeps the bites from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. As you gather your ingredients, let your butter soften at room temperature so your batter whips up perfectly creamy later on.
Step 2: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth, light, and fluffy. This stage is all about creating that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture—so don’t rush it! A hand mixer or stand mixer will get everything beautifully airy in just a couple of minutes.
Step 3: Add Vanilla
Pour in the vanilla extract and mix again, making sure that warm, aromatic flavor is evenly distributed. Vanilla works wonders to round out the sweetness and make these bites taste unmistakably home-baked.
Step 4: Incorporate Flour and Salt
Add in the all-purpose flour and salt. Go slow and steady here, mixing on low speed or gently by hand just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overmix—you want these cookie bites super tender and delicate.
Step 5: Fold in Holiday Sprinkles
It’s time for the most festive part: fold the colorful sprinkles gently into your dough. Mix just enough to get those pops of color scattered throughout—now your Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are ready to shine!
Step 6: Shape and Flatten
Scoop out small portions of dough (about 1 teaspoon each) and roll them quickly between your palms to form tiny balls. Set them on your prepared baking sheet, spaced about an inch apart. Give each one a gentle press with your finger or the back of a spoon to flatten slightly—this helps them bake up evenly and hold their cute, petite shape.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Slide your sheet into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for subtly golden bottoms—the tops should still look pale. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack. They’ll firm up as they cool, and their heavenly aroma will fill your kitchen with holiday spirit.
How to Serve Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites
Garnishes
For extra pizzazz, try dipping cooled cookie bites halfway into melted white chocolate and adding a shower of extra holiday sprinkles while the chocolate is still tacky. The combination of creamy white chocolate and a glitter of sprinkles takes these Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites from simple to stunning.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies at your next holiday gathering alongside mugs of steaming hot cocoa, mulled cider, or coffee. They’re also wonderful paired with a scoop of peppermint or vanilla ice cream for a whimsical dessert plate that makes everyone feel like a kid again.
Creative Ways to Present
Bring some extra sparkle by packaging your Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites in decorative cellophane bags, mason jars, or festive tins—perfect for gifting to friends, family, or neighbors. Stack them in holiday-themed boxes, or make mini cookie towers as edible place settings for your holiday table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your cookie bites at their buttery best, stash them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week (if they last that long!), so you can bake ahead for parties or cookie swaps and still count on perfect texture.
Freezing
If you want to get a jump on holiday prep, these bites freeze beautifully. You can freeze the unbaked dough balls or the fully baked and cooled cookies—just use a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Let the cookies thaw at room temperature for an hour before serving for best flavor and texture.
Reheating
While these bite-sized goodies are delicious at room temperature, if you’d like to restore that just-baked aroma, warm them for a few minutes in a 300°F oven. They’ll taste freshly made and the sprinkles will look especially glossy and festive!
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Absolutely! If using salted butter, simply reduce the added salt in the recipe to a pinch or two. It won’t drastically alter the flavor, and your Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites will still be delicious and buttery.
What other kinds of sprinkles work for these cookies?
You can use any kind of festive sprinkles you like: classic holiday jimmies, nonpareils, or even snowflake-shaped sprinkles. Just keep in mind that smaller sprinkles mix into the dough most evenly and won’t bleed color as much during baking.
Can I make the dough ahead and chill it before baking?
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 48 hours ahead and chill it in the fridge, tightly covered. Chilled dough may be slightly firmer, but will produce cookies with the same irresistible texture when baked.
Are these cookies suitable for mailing as edible gifts?
Definitely! Because Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are sturdy yet tender, they travel well. Just be sure to package them snugly in a tin or a box with plenty of padding to prevent breakage.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Go right ahead! This recipe doubles (or even triples) wonderfully. Just work in batches if needed when mixing and baking, and you’ll have plenty to spread the Christmas joy far and wide.
Final Thoughts
Whip up a batch of Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites and you’ll have a plateful of instant happiness ready to share. I guarantee these festive, buttery bites will brighten your holiday season and become a beloved tradition for years to come. Give them a try—you’re going to love every tiny, sparkly bite!
Print
Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 60 small cookie bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are a delightful holiday treat that’s perfect for festive celebrations. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a pop of colorful sprinkles, these bite-sized cookies are sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup holiday sprinkles (plus more for topping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the flour and salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop out small portions of dough and roll into tiny balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet and flatten slightly. Bake for 10–12 minutes until lightly golden.
- Cool and Enjoy: Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For extra festivity, dip cooled bites in melted white chocolate and add more sprinkles.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cookie bites
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
