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Festive Christmas shortbread cookies, golden and buttery, sliced rounds with red and green sprinkles, stacked on a rustic wood board with pine branches and blurred holiday lights in the background

Easy Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe: Festive & Delicious

These festive and delicious Christmas shortbread cookies are easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they offer a delightful buttery taste with a hint of almond and fun sprinkles.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 14 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Calories: 90

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) at room temperature
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 2 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup sprinkles

Equipment

  • large food processor
  • Plastic wrap
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Airtight container

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Process butter, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a large food processor until smooth. Add flour and pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly and chunky, then quickly pulse in sprinkles until just evenly incorporated.
  2. Turn the dough onto a work surface, shape it into a rough ball, then cut it in half. Form each piece into a 7 ½- to 8-inch log, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze for 30 minutes (or refrigerate for at least 4 hours).
  3. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove one dough log from the freezer, slice into ¼-inch to ⅓-inch thick rounds, and arrange on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the edges are light golden, then allow to cool on the baking sheets.
  4. Repeat the slicing and baking steps with the second log of cookie dough. Once all cookies are completely cool, store them in an airtight container.

Notes

For best results and easier slicing, ensure the dough is well chilled before baking. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.