Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Shortbread Cookies featuring a rich buttery base, subtle vanilla flavor, and a decorative white chocolate and sprinkle topping. Perfectly crisp and easy to make, these cookies are a holiday favorite for sharing and gifting.
Ingredients
Scale
Main 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
Topping
- 1 ½ cups Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers or vanilla almond bark, melted
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla bean paste and mix until fully blended.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the all-purpose flour and kosher salt into the mixture. If the dough is still crumbly after mixing, use your hands to gently combine until fully incorporated.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll into a 12-inch log. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Slice and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the chilled dough into thin slices about ¼ inch thick. Arrange the slices on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake for 14 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown.
- Decorate Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack. Spread a small amount of melted white chocolate or vanilla almond bark on each cookie and immediately add holiday sprinkles. Let the topping set for about 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
- If vanilla bean paste is unavailable, substitute with the seeds of one whole vanilla bean for an intense vanilla flavor.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
- You can freeze baked cookies for up to three months. Thaw before adding the melted white chocolate and sprinkles.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- For best results, soften butter at room temperature but avoid melting it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
