Festive Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe: Jolly Treats!

Buttery christmas shortbread cookie bites dance on the edge of festive indulgence, promising sweet memories.

Crisp edges and delicate crumbles tell a story of traditional comfort.

Delightful morsels melt across your palate with whispers of vanilla and warmth.

Rich butter mingles with simple ingredients, creating magic in every tiny bite.

These miniature treats capture holiday cheer in compact, irresistible parcels.

Compact yet luxurious, each morsel delivers a punch of seasonal joy.

Your kitchen will buzz with happiness as these delectable nibbles emerge from the oven.

One taste, and you’ll understand why these little wonders become instant celebrations.

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites That Everyone Loves

• Packed with colorful holiday sprinkles, these bite-sized cookies bring instant cheer and excitement to any gathering, delighting both kids and adults with their festive appearance.
• Easily packaged in decorative tins or cookie boxes, these shortbread bites make charming homemade gifts that showcase your baking skills and spread holiday joy effortlessly.
• Created with simple pantry staples like butter, flour, and powdered sugar, these cookies require no complicated techniques, ensuring success for bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients to Prep Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and tender texture, best when softened at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and smooth cookie consistency.
• Flour: Gives structure and base for the shortbread cookies, all-purpose works perfectly.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cookies.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic flavor depth and aromatic sweetness to the cookies.

• Holiday Sprinkles: Brings festive color and fun texture, choose festive Christmas-themed colors like red, green, and white.

Instructions for Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F. Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Whip Up the Dough

• Softened butter
• Powdered sugar

Blend until silky smooth.

Splash in vanilla extract and mix well.

• Flour
• Salt

Mix until the dough just comes together. Don’t overwork the mixture.

Sprinkle in holiday confetti and distribute evenly.

Step 3: Shape Tiny Delights

Roll the dough into adorable marble-sized balls.

Arrange these cute clusters on prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven.

Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges hint at golden crispiness.

Step 5: Cool and Share

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

Stash in an airtight container or package in festive tins for gifting.

Pro Tips for Buttery Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Select Fresh Butter: Use high-quality, unsalted butter at room temperature for the smoothest, creamiest texture.
• Control Sprinkle Distribution: Gently fold holiday sprinkles into the dough to prevent color bleeding and ensure even spread.
• Watch Baking Time Closely: Pull cookies from the oven when edges are just turning golden to maintain a soft, tender bite.
• Master Perfect Size: Roll dough into consistent marble-sized balls for uniform baking and professional-looking results.
• Store with Care: Keep cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent moisture from making them soggy.

How to Keep Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Fresh

• Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days, keeping them away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Place cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper, and store for 2-3 months.
• Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
• Warm cookies gently in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their original texture and fresh-baked taste.

Pair These Cookies with Cocoa or Cider

• Complement the buttery, sweet shortbread with a bold, dark espresso shot. The intense coffee flavor cuts through the cookie's richness, creating a delightful taste contrast.
• Match these festive cookie bites with a chilled glass of traditional eggnog. The creamy, spiced drink enhances the holiday spirit and balances the cookie's delicate texture.
• Prepare warm, velvety hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. Dunk the sprinkle-filled cookie bites into the cocoa, allowing them to absorb the chocolatey warmth and create a cozy winter treat.
• Elevate the cookie experience by pairing with a crisp, bubbly champagne. The effervescent drink provides a light, celebratory touch that complements the sweet, buttery shortbread.

Sweet Twists on Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

• Gluten-Free Holiday Shortbread: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Christmas Cookies: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use dairy-free sprinkles to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Festive Bites: Substitute powdered sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining sweetness.
• Chocolate Peppermint Edition: Mix in crushed candy canes and add cocoa powder to the dough for a rich, minty chocolate variation that captures holiday flavors.

Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas shortbread cookie bites deliver delightful holiday cheer with buttery, melt-in-your-mouth crumbles. Sprinkled with colorful sugar and peppermint bits, these miniature treats will charm guests and spark delicious memories of seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

Sweet and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup (40 g) holiday sprinkles

Seasoning:

• ¼ teaspoon salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by arranging oven racks and lining baking sheets with parchment, then heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for optimal cookie baking conditions.
2. Create the base mixture by thoroughly creaming butter and powdered sugar until achieving a smooth, pale consistency that provides the foundation for delicate shortbread.
3. Incorporate vanilla extract to infuse the dough with aromatic richness, blending carefully to distribute the flavor evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Gradually introduce flour and salt, stirring gently until the ingredients unite into a cohesive dough, being mindful not to overmix and compromise the delicate texture.
5. Gently fold holiday sprinkles into the dough, ensuring an even distribution that will create colorful bursts throughout each bite-sized cookie.
6. Form compact spheres approximately marble-sized, rolling the dough between palms to create uniform, petite rounds that will bake evenly.
7. Arrange cookie balls on prepared baking sheets, positioning them with slight separation to allow for minimal spreading during the baking process.
8. Slide the trays into the preheated oven, baking for 8-10 minutes until the edges develop a subtle golden hue, indicating perfect doneness.
9. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, which helps them stabilize and prevents potential crumbling during transfer.
10. Migrate the delicate morsels onto a wire cooling rack, permitting complete cooling and ensuring a crisp, delectable texture.
11. Store the finished cookies in an airtight container or package them in festive tins, creating charming edible gifts for holiday celebrations.

Notes

• Chill the dough for 15-30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect bite-sized shape.
• Customize sprinkles based on the holiday or occasion, using festive colors or themed mix-ins like crushed candy canes or red and green sugar.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better dough consistency, ensuring the butter is soft but not melted.
• For gluten-free options, swap traditional flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same delicate texture and buttery flavor.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg