If there’s ever a moment in December when holiday spirit needs a boost, a plateful of Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites does the trick every time. These tiny, buttery cookies deliver melt-in-your-mouth richness, festive sprinkles, and a sparkling sugar finish that will light up any cookie tray. They’re the kind of treat you’ll find yourself reaching for with a warm mug of cocoa, or slipping into a tin for the neighbors. Simple ingredients, endless cheer, and about half an hour from bowl to bite—this recipe truly checks every box for an irresistibly fun and delicious holiday tradition.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up batch after batch of these adorable, flavor-packed Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites. Each ingredient plays its own tasty role, from ensuring the perfect crumb to infusing holiday sparkle.
- Unsalted Butter (1 cup, softened): Creamy, rich butter is the soul of classic shortbread, creating that signature tender texture.
- Powdered Sugar (¾ cup): This lends sweetness and a smooth, velvety finish to every bite.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): A splash of vanilla brings familiar, comforting warmth to the dough.
- All-Purpose Flour (2 cups): The backbone of any good cookie—flour holds the bites together while keeping them delicate.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Just enough to balance sweetness and intensify the other flavors.
- Holiday Sprinkles (2 tablespoons, plus more for topping): For a merry pop of color and extra crunch—choose red, green, and white for true Christmas vibes!
- Granulated Sugar (2 tablespoons, for rolling, optional): Gives each cookie bite a sparkling edge and sweet snap on the outside.
How to Make Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
To set yourself up for stress-free baking, start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your cookie bites release easily and bake up with golden bottoms.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, blend your softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. Take your time here; this is where all that dreamy shortbread texture originates. Once creamy, mix in the vanilla extract for sweet, aromatic depth.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Now, add the all-purpose flour and salt to your wet mixture. Stir slowly at first, then mix until the dough just comes together. The dough should be soft but not sticky, and gently hold its shape.
Step 4: Stir in the Festive Sprinkles
Gently fold in those holiday sprinkles with a spatula, distributing them evenly so every bite gets a festive pop of color and fun—you’ll see the dough transform into Christmas magic right before your eyes!
Step 5: Shape and Sugar Coat
Portion out the dough and roll it between your palms into 1-inch balls. For a sparkling finish, you can optionally roll each ball in a little granulated sugar before placing them on your lined baking sheet about an inch apart. Add a dash more sprinkles on top for extra pizzazz.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch closely—the bottoms should just turn lightly golden, while the tops stay pale and beautiful. They’ll finish setting as they cool, resisting the urge to brown too much.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Let the cookies rest on the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set up and keeps them from breaking apart.
How to Serve Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites
Garnishes
Give your Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites a little extra flair by dusting them with powdered sugar right before serving, or a drizzle of white chocolate for an elegant holiday touch. More festive sprinkles or colorful sanding sugar can be sprinkled on while the cookies are still slightly warm so they stick perfectly.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookie bites with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, spiced apple cider, or your favorite winter tea. They also make an adorable addition to dessert trays alongside peppermint bark, chocolate truffles, or other classic Christmas confections.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack your cookie bites in festive tins lined with parchment for charming homemade gifts, or arrange them in little cellophane bags tied with ribbon for party favors. For gatherings, build a “cookie tower” or scatter them across a platter for a playful, easy-to-grab display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites tasting fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay delicious for up to a week—though chances are they’ll be gone well before that!
Freezing
Shortbread dough freezes beautifully, so you can prepare the dough balls and stash them in the freezer for up to two months—just bake straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time. Finished cookie bites also freeze well in a well-sealed container and thaw in minutes at room temperature.
Reheating
If you want to revive that just-baked aroma, pop the cookie bites in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes. They’ll warm up gently and have that fresh-baked texture and scent all over again!
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter in this recipe—just reduce or omit the added salt. It’s a handy swap if you’re using what you have on hand!
Do I have to chill the dough?
For these Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites, chilling the dough isn’t necessary, which keeps the recipe quick and convenient. If your kitchen is particularly warm, a short chill can help the dough hold its shape while you roll the bites.
What kind of sprinkles work best?
Jimmies or confetti sprinkles work best as they won’t melt or bleed their color into the dough. Feel free to get creative with shapes and colors to match your holiday theme!
Can I double or halve the recipe?
Absolutely! This recipe easily doubles for a crowd or halves when you just want a small batch—the bake time and technique remain exactly the same.
Are these Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites gluten-free?
This original recipe uses all-purpose flour, but you can substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. The result will still be rich, buttery, and totally delicious!
Final Thoughts
With their melt-in-your-mouth crumb, vibrant sprinkles, and sweet sparkle, these Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites bring festive joy with every bite. They’re simple enough for a weekday treat, yet pretty enough for your finest holiday gatherings. I hope you enjoy making (and sharing) them just as much as I do—the season truly isn’t complete without them!
Print
Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 36 cookie bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Shortbread Sugar Cookie Bites are a delightful holiday treat perfect for festive gatherings or as homemade gifts. With a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of vanilla, these bite-sized cookies are adorned with colorful sprinkles for a cheerful touch.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles (plus more for topping)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for rolling, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together. Gently fold in the sprinkles until evenly distributed.
- Form cookie balls: Roll the dough into small 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Optionally, roll each ball in granulated sugar for a sparkly finish.
- Bake: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use red, green, and white sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- These make great holiday gifts or party treats!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie bite
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
