Get ready to spread holiday cheer with these delightful Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites! These tiny, buttery squares are a festive take on classic shortbread cookies, featuring colorful Christmas sprinkles for a pop of joy. Perfect for cookie trays, holiday parties, or gifting, these bite-sized treats are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites :

1. Festive Fun: The addition of Christmas sprinkles makes these cookies perfect for the holiday season.
2. Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, this recipe is easy and fuss-free.
3. Buttery and Delicious: With their tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, these shortbread bites are irresistible.
4. Perfect for Sharing: Their small size makes them ideal for cookie swaps, gift boxes, or as a party snack.

Ingredients For Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites : 

• Dry Ingredients:
  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 7 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
• Flavor Enhancers:
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
• For the Festive Touch:
  • ½ cup nonpareils or Christmas sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions :

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a food processor or stand mixer, combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using). Mix until well combined.
2. Cube the butter into small, 1-tablespoon-sized pieces and add them to the dry mixture.
3. Pulse the food processor or mix with the stand mixer until the dough starts to come together. If using a stand mixer, you may need to press the dough together occasionally.

Step 2: Add Sprinkles

1. If you prefer sprinkles incorporated into the dough, mix them in at this stage.
2. Alternatively, you can press sprinkles into each individual cookie square later for a more decorative look.

Step 3: Form and Chill

1. Once the dough has come together, transfer it to a clean countertop or mixing bowl. Knead gently to form a smooth ball.
2. Place the dough on a piece of parchment paper and roll it into a ½-inch thick square.
3. Transfer the parchment paper with the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. Chilling the dough helps it hold its shape during baking.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 5: Cut the Dough

1. Remove the chilled dough from the freezer. Use a sharp knife, pastry cutter, or pizza cutter to slice the dough into 1-inch by 1-inch squares.
2. For uniformity, use a ruler to measure each piece. This step ensures that all the cookies bake evenly.

Step 6: Add Sprinkles

1. If you didn’t mix sprinkles into the dough, press each square into a bowl of sprinkles to coat the top.
2. Place the sprinkle-coated squares onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between them.

Step 7: Bake

1. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the bottoms are just starting to turn golden brown.
2. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips for Perfect Shortbread Cookie Bites : 

1. Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the freezing step. It helps the dough firm up, making it easier to cut cleanly and maintain its shape during baking.
2. Use High-Quality Butter: The butter is the star ingredient, so choose a high-quality, unsalted variety for the best flavor.
3. Incorporate Sprinkles: Whether you mix the sprinkles into the dough or press them on top, they add a festive and colorful touch that’s perfect for the holidays.
4. Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies and remove them from the oven as soon as the bottoms start to turn golden. Overbaking can make them too hard.

FAQs :

1. Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?

Yes! You can make the dough up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can freeze the unbaked cookie squares for up to 3 months and bake them directly from frozen.

2. Can I Use Salted Butter?

If you only have salted butter, reduce the added salt in the recipe to ¼ teaspoon.

3. Can I Add Other Flavors?

Absolutely! Feel free to experiment with citrus zest (lemon, orange) or spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to give these cookies a unique twist.

4. How Do I Store These Cookies?

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They also freeze well for up to 2 months.

5. What’s the Best Way to Gift These Cookies?

Package the cookies in festive tins, clear bags with holiday ribbons, or decorative boxes for a thoughtful homemade gift.

Variations :

• Colorful Sprinkles: Use nonpareils or jimmies in different colors to match any occasion, from Valentine’s Day to Easter.
• Chocolate Dip: Once cooled, dip the cookie bites halfway into melted chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes or nuts.
• Nutty Additions: Mix finely chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts into the dough for added texture and flavor.

Serving Suggestions :

• With Hot Drinks: Pair these shortbread bites with coffee, tea, or hot cocoa for a cozy holiday treat.
• As Part of a Dessert Spread: Add them to a cookie platter alongside sugar cookies, gingerbread men, and chocolate truffles.
• For Gifting: Package them in decorative tins or bags to share the holiday spirit with friends and family.

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Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites

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These Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites are the perfect combination of festive fun and buttery goodness.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 18 minutes

Chill Time 15 minutes

Total Time 48 minutes

Ingredients

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 7 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup nonpareils or Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

1. Combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a mixer or food processor. Add cubed butter and mix until dough forms.
2. Knead dough into a ball and roll into a ½-inch thick square on parchment paper. Freeze for 15 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
4. Cut dough into 1-inch squares. Press sprinkles onto each square or mix them into the dough beforehand.
5. Place squares on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the bottoms are golden.
6. Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.

Notes

Nutrition (per cookie):Calories: 70 | Carbs: 6g | Fat: 4g | Protein: 1g

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These Christmas Shortbread Cookie Bites are the perfect combination of festive fun and buttery goodness. Whether you’re sharing them at a holiday party, giving them as gifts, or enjoying them with loved ones at home, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles and sweet memories. Happy baking!