Simple Christmas Shortbread Cookies
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These Simple Christmas Shortbread Cookies are vanilla butter cookies with all natural tree sprinkles that don't use any artificial colors. These festive cookies are perfect for a holiday cookie box or any Christmas party!
If you're looking for more holiday cookies, try some of my other favorites like my Frosted Gingerbread Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint YiaYia Cookies, or my Candy Cane Crunch Dark Chocolate Cookies.
Table of Contents
I created this Simple Christmas Shortbread Cookie recipe to take me back to this time when I reveled in the simplest of cookies. I added natural Christmas tree sprinkles (or naturally colored holiday sprinkles) on top of a truly simple vanilla shortbread for a festive and simple Christmas cookie that will fit into any cookie box or be loved by anyone you make them for.
These classic vanilla shortbread cookies use just a few simple ingredients, which makes them quick and easy. With the holidays coming up, it's great to have a quick and easy holiday cookie recipe in your back pocket, and this is it!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Simple and Festive: I love these Simple Christmas Shortbread Cookies because they are festive without being complicated. With all the decorating happening this time of year, these are a nice change of pace for simple and festive cookies.
Easy AF: These cookies are easy AF! Just 5 ingredients is all you need.
Pure and Simple: These cookies are pure and simple, made up of butter, sugar, and flour. They have a classic and pure butter cookie flavor that pairs well with cozy drinks like tea and hot chocolate!
Crowd Pleaser: With this simple and classic flavor profile, there isn't anyone who won't love these butter cookies
Ingredients
- Butter: I use Organic Valley Salted Butter.
- Powdered Sugar: I use organic powdered sugar, be sure to sift it.
- Vanilla Extract: I use Simply Organic. Make sure to use a high quality organic vanilla that you like for this recipe. Because it's so simple and has minimal ingredients, they really matter!
- All Purpose Flour: I use Cairnspring Mills, it's my favorite organic all purpose flour!
- Holiday Sprinkles: You can use any holiday sprinkles you like. I always opt for the all natural ones with plant based dyes. I love ColorKitchen Foods Christmas Tree Sprinkles and I've also made these wit India Tree Nature's Colors Bright Red Sprinkles, India Tree Nature's Colors Green Sprinkles, and India Tree Nature's Colors Snowflakes.
Tools Needed
- Scale: Always use a digital food scale for the best results.
- Stand Mixer: You'll need a stand mixer for this recipe.
- Baking Sheets: You'll need two half sheet pans.
- Parchment Paper: I use nontoxic parchment paper for the best results!
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Step by Step Instructions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined. Add the flour and mix on low until combined into a smooth dough. It should feel like play dough in your hands.
Step 3
Using your hands, roll the dough into 30 balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly so they are about 2-inches in diameter. Sprinkle the tops with cane sugar and top with tree sprinkles (you may need to press these in a little bit so they stick). If you're using more traditional sprinkles like the India Tree Red you can skip the cane sugar and roll the dough in the sprinkles.
Step 4
Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until golden brown on the bottoms. (If you're baking at high altitude, be sure to check the Notes at the bottom of the recipe for high altitude baking instructions).
Baker's Tips
- Make sure to use very soft butter for these cookies as this really matters for the texture of the cookies. I know it can be incredibly difficult this time of year to soften butter naturally on the counter, as it's cold! But, make sure that you are still using soft butter before starting this recipe. I would recommend leaving butter out on the counter the night before, and then softening in the microwave until it is soft. Do not do more than 10 seconds per 1/2 cup of butter at once.
- This recipe has very few ingredients so they all really matter, especially the butter! Use a high quality organic butter, my favorite is Organic Valley.
- Same goes for powdered sugar, make sure to use a high quality organic powdered sugar. Florida Crystals, Woodstock Farm, or Wholesome are all excellent choices. Always make sure to sift your powdered sugar. This is just an ingredient that needs to be sifted all the time, no matter what! It can clump easily, and have a large negative affect on your baked goods if it's not sifted.
- Vanilla extract also matters, as this is the main flavor profile for these cookies. My favorite is Simply Organic, find it here.
- I use ColorKitchen Foods natural tree sprinkles, find here. These are made without artificial colors and use plant based dyes, so they are the best option for sprinkles. Plus, you can bake them as well!
FAQ's
Yes, just add ½ teaspoon fine sea salt to the recipe.
Yes, use any sprinkles you like to change these up for different holidays!
Yes, add 1 teaspoon of almond flavor or peppermint flavor to make almond or peppermint shortbreads.
Craving More?
Simple Christmas Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 226 grams salted butter (softened)
- 142 grams powdered sugar (sifted)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 255 grams all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar (optional)
- All natural tree sprinkles
- India Tree Nature's Colors Bright Red Sprinkles
- India Tree Nature's Colors Green Sprinkles
- India Tree Nature's Colors Snowflake Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low until combined.
- Add the flour and mix on low until combined into a smooth dough. It should feel like play dough in your hands.
- Using your hands, roll the dough into 30 balls and place on the prepared baking sheets. Flatten slightly so they are about 2-inches in diameter. Sprinkle the tops with cane sugar and top with tree sprinkles (you may need to press these in a little bit so they stick). If you're using more traditional sprinkles like the India Tree Red you can skip the cane sugar and roll the dough in the sprinkles.
- Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until golden brown on the bottoms.
- Store in a cool dry place for up to 7 days.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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These are amazing and so easy to make! My family loved them!
thank you Teresa!