Name: Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 1 h 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ½ cups Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers or vanilla almond bark, melted; ¼ cup holiday sprinkles

There’s something utterly charming about a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread that just screams holiday cheer. This Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe is one of my go-to treats when I want to bake something that’s both simple and special—perfect for gifting or sharing during cozy winter afternoons.

A group of round sugar cookies with two layers shown closely: the base layer is a light tan color with a soft texture, and the top layer is smooth white icing that covers almost the entire cookie surface. Each cookie is decorated with various sprinkles in red, green, and white, scattered randomly or in small clumped patterns. Some cookies have red sugar crystals, others have green sugar crystals, and some have small white snowflake-shaped sprinkles along with red and green jimmies. The cookies are placed on a wire cooling rack, sitting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these cookies — I was amazed at how a handful of simple ingredients could create something so elegant and festive. From their tender crumb to the pop of colorful holiday sprinkles and luscious white chocolate coating, they’re a real crowd-pleaser.

Easy and approachable: This recipe doesn’t require any fancy skills or equipment, just good ingredients and a bit of love.
Customizable finishing touches: The white chocolate and sprinkles add that seasonal sparkle, but you can swap in your favorites.
Perfect texture every time: The balance of butter and powdered sugar creates a rich, delicate bite that crumbles just right.
Great for gift-giving: These cookies store well and look fantastic when wrapped up in holiday tins or boxes.

The image shows five round sugar cookies with a light golden-brown color placed on a brown surface. Each cookie has a thick white icing layer spread unevenly on top, decorated with red, green, and white sprinkles shaped like small rods and snowflakes. To the back, there is a clear glass bowl filled with the same colored sprinkles and a red spoon resting inside, and another clear glass bowl containing white icing on a wire rack. The surface underneath everything has a white marbled texture visible at the edges. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of these Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe lies in its simple but thoughtful ingredient list. Each component serves a purpose, ensuring the cookies have that tender texture, subtle sweetness, and irresistible flavor.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with softened unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of fine powdered sugar, a fresh whole vanilla bean pod split open revealing tiny seeds, a simple white ceramic bowl holding unbleached all-purpose flour, a tiny white ceramic bowl with coarse kosher salt, a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth melted white chocolate wafers, and a neat pile of colorful holiday sprinkles scattered beside the bowls, all arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: The heart of any shortbread. Make sure it’s softened but still cool for easy creaming.
Powdered sugar: Provides a silky sweetness and contributes to a delicate crumb.
Vanilla bean paste: A star ingredient that offers a deep, fragrant vanilla flavor—way better than extract.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure without making the cookies tough.
Kosher salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
White chocolate wafers or vanilla almond bark: Melt and spread for that creamy, decadent finish. Melts smoothly and sets beautifully.
Holiday sprinkles: Adds colorful, festive crunch and visual appeal.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. You can turn these into your signature holiday treat by making little changes that reflect your taste or the occasion.

Variation: I love adding a bit of finely chopped dried cranberries or pistachios to the dough for extra texture and a festive flair. It brings an additional pop of flavor that your guests will ask about.
Dietary swaps: If you’d prefer dairy-free, use vegan butter and skip the white chocolate or swap it for a dairy-free alternative; it works just as well.
Seasonal twists: Around other holidays, swap the sprinkles for chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugar

I start by softly creaming the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl. This step is key — take your time and use room temperature butter so you get a fluffy, smooth base. It’s worth scraping down the sides of your bowl now and then to make sure everything blends evenly.

Step 2: Add Vanilla and Mix in Dry Ingredients

Next, I stir in the vanilla bean paste for that intoxicating vanilla aroma. Then comes the flour and salt. If the dough feels crumbly after mixing, don’t hesitate to use your hands — gently press it together until it forms a cohesive dough. It’s the perfect chance to connect with your cookies!

Step 3: Chill and Slice the Dough

Roll the dough into a 12-inch log right on a lightly floured surface, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to slice thin, even cookies. It also helps control spreading during baking.

Step 4: Bake Until Edges Are Lightly Golden

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough into thin rounds about ¼-inch thick and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes, watching carefully — you want just a hint of golden color on the edges, which signals perfect doneness.

Step 5: Decorate with White Chocolate and Sprinkles

Once the cookies have cooled, gently spread melted white chocolate or vanilla almond bark on top. Immediately sprinkle your holiday sprinkles onto the chocolate before it sets so they stick. Let them rest for about 15 minutes until the chocolate firms up — then they’re ready to enjoy!

Top Tip

After making these cookies several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference. These tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and get those perfect festive shortbread cookies every time.

Use real vanilla bean paste: It adds incredible depth of flavor that’s worth seeking out; vanilla extract doesn’t quite compare.
Don’t skip chilling: It keeps the dough from spreading too much and helps the cookies hold their shape beautifully.
Slice dough evenly: Using a sharp knife and a ruler can really help keep cookie thickness consistent, so they bake uniformly.
Let chocolate set fully: If you try to move or stack cookies too soon, the chocolate might smudge. Patience here means picture-perfect treats.

How to Serve Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe

Festive Shortbread Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually go with classic red and green sprinkles for that unmistakable holiday vibe, but sometimes I mix it up with crushed peppermint or edible gold dust. These add-ons make the cookies feel even more special and festive without extra effort.

Side Dishes

These shortbread cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced chai or peppermint hot chocolate. I often serve them alongside a cheese platter or alongside fruitcake during holiday gatherings to balance the buttery sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For gifting, I love stacking these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons or arranging them in decorative tins layered with parchment paper. Recently, I even tried a cookie platter centerpiece topped with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cranberries—that got rave reviews and looked so stunning!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, separated by parchment paper to avoid sticking, and they stay fresh for up to a week. Pro tip: Let the cookies cool completely before storing to prevent condensation and sogginess.

Freezing

These shortbread logs freeze beautifully before slicing, which is a huge timesaver during busy holidays. Just roll the dough, wrap tightly in plastic, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw fully, slice, bake, and then add the white chocolate and sprinkles. Freezing baked cookies works too, but the topping is best added fresh.

Reheating

Shortbread cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, so I simply let frozen or refrigerated cookies come to room temp before serving. If you want to warm them slightly, a quick 5-7 seconds in the microwave does the trick without melting the white chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?

Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract, but vanilla bean paste gives a richer flavor and those pretty vanilla flecks that look great in the dough. If you don’t have paste, consider scraping a whole vanilla bean for the best flavor.

How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much?

Chilling the dough log for at least 30 minutes is crucial. This firms up the butter and flour, so when you slice and bake, the cookies keep their shape nicely without excessive spreading.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that can substitute cup-for-cup. Just make sure the blend includes xanthan gum or a similar binder for structure.

How long do these cookies keep fresh?

Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookies stay fresh up to one week. For longer storage, freeze either the dough or baked cookies (without toppings) and add the white chocolate and sprinkles just before serving.

Final Thoughts

These Festive Shortbread Cookies with White Chocolate Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup. They’re approachable enough to whip up during last-minute cookie swaps, but fancy enough to impress friends and family. Give them a try and watch the magic happen, one buttery, sparkling bite at a time—you’re going to love making and sharing these as much as I do!