There’s something truly magical about the rich, buttery crumb of these tiny treats that just spell cozy holidays. That’s why I’m excited to share my Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe with you — a simple but special way to add a touch of festive joy to your cookie platter this season.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe has been a holiday staple in my kitchen for years, and I think you’ll love how effortlessly it comes together — plus, it looks stunning with those festive sprinkles.
- Perfectly buttery texture: These bites melt in your mouth, with that classic shortbread crispness to balance.
- Quick prep and bake: No long mixing or chilling times, so you can whip them up even on busy days.
- Festive and fun: The colorful sprinkles add that holiday spirit and make them extra shareable.
- Easy customization: Swap extracts or sprinkles to make these bites your own signature Christmas treat.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Shortbread is all about simple, high-quality ingredients coming together for that perfect crumbly bite. Choosing the right butter and measuring flour correctly can really make or break this Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe.
- Unsalted butter: This is the star that gives your shortbread that rich creaminess without any overpowering saltiness.
- Powdered sugar: The fine texture helps the dough achieve that tender crumb and subtle sweetness.
- Almond extract: Just a whisper adds warmth and a cozy nutty note; vanilla works well here if you prefer.
- All-purpose flour: It provides the structure, but be sure to scoop and level for accuracy—this keeps your bites from turning out tough.
- Kosher salt: A pinch enhances all those buttery flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Colored nonpareils: These festive sprinkles bring the joyful colors of Christmas right into the dough, giving these bites their signature sparkle.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up with this Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe, especially when it comes to the sprinkles. You can get creative with colors to match any holiday or event. I often swap almond extract for vanilla, which really brings a comforting vibe. Don’t be shy to try your own twists!
- Festive sprinkle swaps: I once tried blue and white nonpareils for Hanukkah — just as charming and a big hit with my family.
- Chocolate chip addition: If you want an extra indulgence, try adding mini chocolate chips (about a tablespoon or two) to the dough before chilling. It’s like a shortbread-meets-chocolate adventure!
- Extract variations: For a cozy twist, some cinnamon or orange zest mixed with vanilla extract adds a lovely Christmas aroma and flavor.
- Skip chilling for quick baking: When short on time, you can skip the fridge step — just be gentle when cutting to keep those perfect edges.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe
Step 1: Cream Together the Butter and Sugar
Start by beating the softened unsalted butter with powdered sugar and almond extract in your mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides often — this ensures everything blends perfectly without overworking the dough.
Step 2: Gently Incorporate the Flour and Salt
Slowly add the all-purpose flour and salt one bit at a time. This is where patience pays off. The dough will start coming together, so mix just until it forms — too much mixing can make the shortbread tough. When it looks just right, turn off the mixer and fold in the colorful nonpareils by hand.
Step 3: Chill and Cut the Dough
Roll the dough into a ball and press it evenly into a lined 8 or 9-inch dish. Chill it for 20 minutes — this helps the dough firm up and makes cutting easier. When ready, lift the chilled dough out, place it on a cutting board, and slice into ½-inch squares. I find it easier to use a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion to keep those bite sizes perfect.
Step 4: Bake Until Just Golden
Arrange the squares on an ungreased cookie sheet, leaving a little room between each. Bake at 325°F for 10-12 minutes, watching closely so they get only slightly browned. They brown fast at the edges, which signals that buttery crispness is ready to shine.
Top Tip
From years of making these Christmas Shortbread Bites, I’ve learned a few key tricks that help avoid a crumbly mess and yield the absolute best texture.
- Softened Butter Matters: Make sure your butter is soft but not melted — too soft and the dough gets greasy, too cold and it won’t cream evenly.
- Flour Measuring: Scoop flour with a tablespoon into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This avoids packing too much flour, which can dry out the cookies.
- Chill for Easier Cutting: Chilling isn’t mandatory but saves you from squashing the dough, keeping bites evenly sized and tidy.
- Watch the Bake Time: Keep a close eye after 10 minutes — shortbread can go from golden to burnt quickly, especially on thinner slices.
How to Serve Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, I love sprinkling a few extra nonpareils on top right before baking — it makes these bites sparkle so nicely. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a snow-kissed look that’s hard to resist.
Side Dishes
These shortbread bites pair beautifully with a cup of hot cocoa, mulled wine, or even a simple black tea. I’ve often served them alongside a cheese and charcuterie board at holiday parties for a sweet counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
One fun idea: arrange your Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe in festive shapes on a platter — like a wreath or Christmas tree — and fill the gaps with fresh cranberries or sugared nuts. It instantly upgrades your cookie tray to party decor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store these shortbread bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They keep beautifully for up to a week without losing their tender texture or flavor — perfect if you want to bake in advance or share around.
Freezing
Freezing works like a charm here. Simply wrap the cut dough squares tightly before freezing, then bake directly from frozen — just add a minute or two to the bake time. This trick has saved me countless times during busy holiday prep.
Reheating
To refresh leftovers, pop the shortbread bites in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. It brings back that fresh-baked crispness without drying them out. Just don’t overbake or they’ll lose their tender crumb.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use salted butter, but I recommend skipping the extra salt called for in the recipe to avoid over-salting. Many find salted butter actually enhances the buttery flavor here.
Scoop flour with a tablespoon into your measuring cup and level it off with a butter knife. This prevents packing too much flour, which can dry out your shortbread and make it tough.
You can skip chilling if you’re short on time, but chilled dough is much easier to cut into neat squares and yields a better final texture. I usually chill if I have the extra 20 minutes.
I love using classic red and green nonpareils to highlight the holiday spirit. But you can get creative with any festive colors you like. Make sure to pick nonpareils designed for baking to avoid melting or fading.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe holds a special spot on my holiday table — not just because they’re delicious, but because making them always brings back warm memories of baking with family and friends. I can’t wait for you to try these bites yourself and enjoy the buttery, festive goodness they bring. They really are a simple joy that’s so worth the little effort.
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Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 160 mini cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive Christmas Shortbread Bites are buttery, tender, and adorned with colorful sprinkles, making them perfect for holiday celebrations. The recipe uses simple ingredients like butter, powdered sugar, almond extract, and flour, and produces bite-sized cookies that are easy to share and enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Shortbread Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 teaspoons Christmas colored nonpareils
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Heat the oven to 325°F. Line an 8 or 9-inch baking dish with plastic wrap or parchment paper and set aside.
- Cream Butter, Sugar, and Extract: In a bowl of an electric mixer, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar, and almond extract. Beat until creamy, scraping the bowl often, then turn off the mixer.
- Add Flour and Salt: Gently add the all-purpose flour and kosher salt a little at a time. Beat until the dough begins to form; be patient during this process.
- Incorporate Sprinkles: Stir in the Christmas colored nonpareils evenly into the dough.
- Knead and Chill Dough: Knead the dough several times until it forms a ball. Evenly press it into the prepared baking pan, then refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up.
- Cut Dough into Squares: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and use plastic wrap or parchment paper to lift it from the pan onto a cutting board. Cut into ½-inch squares.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Carefully place the squares onto ungreased cookie sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned, keeping a close eye as they brown quickly.
Notes
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla extract (use ½ teaspoon if using an 8x8 baking pan).
- If using salted butter, omit the additional kosher salt from the recipe.
- To make a larger batch, double all ingredient amounts and use a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- For extra festive color, sprinkle additional nonpareils on top of the dough before baking.
- Measure flour by scooping with a tablespoon and leveling with a butter knife for accuracy.
- Customize sprinkle colors to suit various holidays and celebrations.
- Try adding chocolate chips by using a chocolate chip shortbread recipe variant.
- Chilling the dough makes cutting easier but can be skipped if short on time.
- See the blog post for more tips and tricks to perfect the recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cookie
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
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