An easy Christmas shortbread cookies recipe is a real time-saver whenever you need cookies. This recipe is easy enough to whip up quickly.
Have a last minute holiday party to attend? These little Christmas cookies don’t take long to make at all. A quick color change of the sprinkles makes them appropriate for the rest of the year, as well.
Easy Holiday Shortbread Cookies
My grandma had a favorite bakery in town when I was growing up. Every time we went to that bakery, I would get shortbread cookies with tiny round sprinkles. They were my absolute favorite cookie.
This recipe for shortbread cookies with nonpareils (what adults call tiny round sprinkles) brings back a flood of wonderful childhood memories for me.
This recipe makes an entire army of tiny cookies, so it’s ideal for Christmas cookie swaps, filling holiday gift tins, bake sales, or large gatherings.
As always, small desserts are excellent for fairy tea parties. Use rainbow or assorted pastel colors to include them at your woodland fairy party!
Christmas Shortbread Cookies Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Christmas cookie recipe. The measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Butter
- Flour
- Granulated sugar
- Cornstarch
- Red and green nonpareils
Holiday Shortbread Cookies Directions
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
Beat the butter with a mixer until it’s light and fluffy.
Whisk together all the dry ingredients. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed butter and mix until well combined.
Dust your hands with additional cornstarch to handle the dough if it’s too sticky.
Use your hands to shape the dough into 1″ balls.
Flatten each dough ball a little with the palm of your hand.
Dip the dough balls into the nonpareils and place them on the prepared baking pan about 2″ apart.
Bake the cookies for 20-22 minutes. You want the cookies to be set but not brown.
Remove the baked cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to let them cool completely.
Shortbread Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe Notes and FAQ
How many shortbread cookies does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6-8 dozen cookies. There are a lot of tiny cookies!
What is the texture of these cookies like?
These tasty little morsels just melt in your mouth. If you like bakery-style shortbread cookies, these taste a lot like the ones in our local bakery.
How can I make these cookies after the holidays?
It’s easy to match the holiday or theme you need by simply changing the color of the sprinkles. Use red and pink sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, pastel colors for Easter, rainbow for unicorn parties, and more. The possibilities are endless.
Holiday Shortbread Cookies
Delicious little Christmas shortbread cookies covered in red and green sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
- 2 1/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 3/4 cup cornstarch
- Nonpareils
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Using a mixer, beat butter until light and fluffy. Combine dry ingredients together, and gradually add to creamed butter until well blended.
- If dough is sticky, dust hands with additional cornstarch as you shape dough into 1″ balls. Flatten slightly with the palms of your hands. Dip in nonpareils and place on a parchment lined baking pan about 2″ apart.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until set but not brown.
- Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Makes 6-8 dozen.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
96Serving Size:
1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 46Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
Nutrition facts are an estimate only.
More Christmas Cookies to Make
- Star stained-glass cookies
- Brown butter bourbon cookies
- Mini cherry pie cookies
- Christmas sugar cookie pie
- Marble sugar cookies
Pin this image to your cookie board to save and share!
Sign up for the blog’s newsletter if you like dessert recipes like this one.
Please let me know if you make these holiday shortbread cookies!
Susan Chester
Thursday 30th of November 2017
These look so easy! And they are cute and festive. I am pinning this so I can try soon.
Anne
Friday 20th of January 2017
Mmmmm. Shortbread cookies are definitely among my favorites, partly because of their simplicity. I love the idea of coating them with sprinkles --they're so festive. And not just for Christmas, either. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Anne Marie Carter
Tuesday 27th of December 2016
I usually make Shortbread Cookies during the holidays but, I've never thought of adding sprinkles to them. Next year, mine will have spriinkles! Great recipe! I saved and also printed it.
Karen Glatt
Friday 16th of December 2016
I love Shortbread cookies and these cookies look so delicious and I want to make these over the Holiday break.
Dana Rodriguez
Thursday 15th of December 2016
Those are perfect for the holidays. I love shortbread cookies and those are very colorful! Thanks for the recipe!