The aroma of warm butter and vanilla, the delicate crunch under your teeth, the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture – these are the hallmarks of truly exceptional shortbread. And what better time to bake a batch than during the festive season? This recipe for the best shortbread Christmas cookies is guaranteed to become a holiday tradition in your kitchen. It's incredibly easy, uses simple ingredients, and the results are simply divine. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delicious and beautifully delicate cookies!
Ingredients: You'll need these simple items for this easy recipe
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Coarse sugar for sprinkling (turbinado or demerara sugar recommended)
Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide to Christmas Cookie Perfection
Getting Started:
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Making the Dough:
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In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer or hand mixer works perfectly for this, but you can also achieve great results with good old-fashioned elbow grease! Make sure the butter is truly softened; this will ensure a smooth and even dough.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; slightly less mixed dough is better. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
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Stir in the vanilla extract. The fragrance of vanilla enhances the buttery flavor of the shortbread, making it truly special.
Shaping and Baking the Cookies:
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Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently pat the dough into a ½-inch thick circle or rectangle. You can also use cookie cutters to make festive shapes if you prefer.
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Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut the dough into your desired shapes – squares, triangles, or even stars are festive options for Christmas.
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Carefully transfer the cut shortbread to your prepared baking sheet. If using, sprinkle with coarse sugar for added texture and visual appeal.
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Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them as ovens vary; shortbread can burn easily.
Cooling and Serving:
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Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Once cool, store your delicious shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week (if they last that long!).
Tips and Variations for Delicious Homemade Cooking
- For extra flavor: Add a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla.
- For a festive twist: Use cookie cutters to create Christmas shapes like stars, trees, or snowflakes.
- Make it chocolatey: Add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a delicious chocolate shortbread.
- Don't overbake: Overbaked shortbread will be dry and crumbly. Start checking for doneness around 18 minutes.
- Chill the dough: For easier handling, chill the dough for 30 minutes before cutting and baking. This helps prevent spreading.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate)
These values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used and cookie size.
- Calories: Approximately 100-150
- Fat: 8-12g
- Carbohydrates: 10-15g
- Sugar: 5-7g
- Protein: 1-2g
This simple recipe makes a truly delightful treat, perfect for holiday gatherings or any occasion. Enjoy baking and sharing these festive shortbread cookies!