Imagine it's time for the annual cookie exchange and everyone is roaming around the table, sampling the treats. Homemade Shortbread Cookies will be a big hit! Buttery shortbread dunked in white chocolate and confetti sprinkles are the ultimate holiday treat!
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Easy Shortbread Cookies
Hey friends, who has a sweet tooth?!! I have been sharing lots of fun cookies on the blog like 3 Ingredient Oatmeal Cookies, 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies,
Ingredients
- all-purpose flour is recommended for this recipe
- powdered sugar - light, flaky and sweet
- butter - be sure it's cold because you'll be cutting it into the recipe
- salt helps balance the sweetness
- egg - I recommend organic, eggs - make sure they are room temperature.
- sprinkles - use red and green for the Christmas, orange for Halloween, super sparkly sprinkles for New Year's - make it fun!
Super simple, huh? Additionally, for this recipe, you'll need white chocolate chips for drizzling!
I made these with and without the white chocolate. Dan preferred them without and I liked them with. You choose what works for you.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven.
- Add flour, powdered sugar and salt to a mixer with the paddle attachment and mix just to combine.
- Add the butter and egg. Mix until mostly combined. If you need to, add a tablespoon of milk for the dough to come together.
- Stir in the rainbow sprinkles.
- Remove the dough and wrap in plastic wrap then refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Next, roll the dough out into a square on a lightly floured surface to about a ¼ inch thickness. Cut into equal squares. Place the squares on a lined baking sheet.
- Bake for about 14 minutes, just until lightly golden on the edges.
- Cool on a cooling rack.
FAQ's
A sugar cookie recipe will often call for vanilla and will be a little more tender. Because shortbread cookies usually have more flour, they are crispier in texture.
Homemade shortbread cookies will last 10-14 days refrigerated.
Yes, they freeze beautifully! Wrap them well and freeze for up to three months.
Yes! These are great made-ahead cookies. They are delicious and buttery.
Tips
Making buttery shortbread cookies sounds easy enough, right? But here are a few tips and tricks to help you take your baking to the next level.
- use unsalted butter
- use cold butter cut into small cubes
- don't use imitation butter
- don't overwork the dough - a little crumbly is ok!
Pulsing the dough in your food processor just until combined will keep the cookies buttery and tender.
More cookie and candy recipes
- If you're putting together cookies for a cookie exchange or sweets to share at the holidays, homemade fudge is always a great choice. This is my Grandma's recipe and it's so easy to make!
- Butterscotch Haystacks are another great choice for an easy-to-make treat!
- Grinch Sugar Cookies - so cute!
- Old Fashioned Lemon Ricotta Cookies are AMAZING - we ❤️ these cookies!
- Italian Fig Cookies is spectacular - this one combines two of my favorite things - figs and sprinkles! YUM!!
Easy Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup flour divided
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 stick butter cold and small diced
- pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- ¼ cups sprinkles plus additional for dunking
- ⅓ cup white chocolate chips
- 1-2 tablespoon milk as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Add the 1 ¼ cup flour, powdered sugar and salt to a standing mixer with the dough attachment or into a food processor. Mix just to combine.
- Add in the butter and egg. Miix until just mostly combined. If you need to, add a tablespoon of milk or two until combined. The texture will be a little crumbly. Remember, a little loose flour is good!
- Remove the bowl from the mixer and stir in the rainbow sprinkles with a spoon and incorporate the remaining flour.
- Remove the dough and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator and chill for at least 20 minutes.
- Remove from the fridge and roll the dough out into a square on a lightly floured surface to about a ¼ inch thickness. Cut into equal squares.
- Place the squares on a lined baking sheet along with the rough edges {those are for snacking!} Bake for about 14 minutes, just until lightly golden on the edges.
- Cool on a cooling rack.
- Place the white chocolate in a bowl and microwave 10 seconds at a time until melted. Be sure to stir as you go. Dip an edge of the cookie into the melted chocolate, dunk into the sprinkles then place the cookie back on the rack to harden. Continue with remaining cookies.
Nutrition
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Recipe backstory
This post was originally part of a blog hop with the recipe coming from Lemoine Family Kitchen - many thanks!
Liza says
LOVING this recipe! It must come out SO yummy and so festive! Just in time for the Holidays!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Liza! Happy Holidays to you!!!
Michaela Kenkel says
These are like happiness on a plate!! So festive and cheery - they are sure to give my holiday platters some festive fun this season! Thanks!
Bowl Me Over says
Festive fun - love that! Happy Holidays Michaela!!
Lori Vachon says
We have a slight sprinkle obsession at my house, I love how festive these are! Shortbread is always welcome at my house, can't wait to try this recipe!
Bowl Me Over says
Sprinkles are happy, right?!!! Obsession? I think not! 🙂
Angela says
You did such a beautiful job with the recipe and photos! It makes my heart smile that you chose these because they are one of my favorites! I love shortbread and wanted a simple and fun way to make stick out on a platter. Thank you for your sweet words friend! And Go Pack Go {despite a disaster of a season}
Jennifer Stewart says
I love a good shortbread cookie. They are so tender and buttery and the perfect thing to dunk in my coffee!!
Dan from Platter Talk says
These look so fun and festive and for the record, I'm definitely a drizzler when it comes to chocolate of any creed!
Lisa@Lisa's Dinnertime Dish says
I love shortbread cookies and the white chocolate and sprinkles take them over the top!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, a girl needs a little sparkle! 😉
Julie says
I'd love a couple of those cookies and maybe a few for my cookie tray too! I love sprinkles. They're like happiness in a jar!
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, I completely agree - happiness in a jar - so true!
debi at Life Currents says
Merry and bright! That's what I think of when I see these! They will be perfect for the cookie exchange!
michele says
I love how you use the silver candy dish to display these. Im so going to use that for our Christmas Cocktail party! Merry Christmas Debra! Its been such a joy meeting you this year and getting to know you through your love of food!
Bowl Me Over says
Merry Christmas to you Michelle! I've loved the opportunity to get to know you and laugh and chuckle together! Life is definitely better with you in it! Enjoy the holiday season!!!
Sandra says
I love the colorful sprinkles. They just add a festive touch to an already delicious cookie. Sparkling wine comes to mind when I look at these shortbread cookies to share at a New Year's celebration!
Bowl Me Over says
Sparkling wine, yes!! What a perfect idea - Happy New Year 2019, let's ring it in!!!
Madi says
I love how bright and colorful these cookies are! Shortbread cookies are the best!
Bowl Me Over says
Aren't they though? I think Santa will really like them! 🙂