By Elina 
There is no better way to welcome the holiday season than with the smell of buttery shortbread baking in the oven. These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are a classic for a reason—they are tender, crumbly, and perfectly sweet.
While the recipe is incredibly simple, the results are festive and elegant. Whether you cut them into snowflakes and trees (like in the picture) or keep them as simple rounds, they are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie box.
Recipe: Christmas Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients:
– 250g softened butter
– 200g sugar
– 1 egg
– 500g flour
– 1 packet vanilla sugar
– 1 pinch of salt
Preparation:
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together. You want to mix this until the texture is creamy and pale. This step ensures your cookies are light and tender rather than dense.
Step 2: Add the Egg
Crack the egg into the butter-sugar mixture. Continue mixing until the egg is fully incorporated and the batter looks smooth.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Add the flour, vanilla sugar, and that pinch of salt. Stir everything together. At first, it might look crumbly, but keep mixing (using your hands is best here!) until you have a smooth, cohesive ball of dough.
Step 4: Shape the Cookies
Note: The traditional recipe suggests balls, but to get the festive look in the photo, use cutters! Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 0.5cm thickness. Use star or Christmas tree cookie cutters to cut out your shapes. (Alternatively, for a quicker version, roll into small balls and flatten slightly).
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place your cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch them closely—you want them to stay pale with just a hint of golden color on the edges.
Step 6: Cool and Dust
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. Once completely cool, dust them with powdered sugar to give them that “snowy” Christmas look.
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 12 mins | Total Time: 30 mins Yields: Approx. 30-40 cookies
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until creamy.
Mix in the egg until smooth.
Stir in the flour, vanilla sugar, and salt; knead into a smooth dough.
Roll out the dough and cut into festive shapes (stars, trees) OR form into small balls and flatten.
Bake on a lined sheet for 10–12 minutes.
Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Enjoy your festive Christmas Shortbread!
Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Bake the perfect Christmas Shortbread Cookies with this easy 6-ingredient recipe. Buttery, tender, and festive—perfect for holiday cookie exchanges!
Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Recipe Yield: 30
Preparation Time: PT15M
Cooking Time: PT12M
Total Time: PT30M
Recipe Ingredients:
- 250g Softened butter
- 200g Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 500g Flour (All-purpose)
- 1 packet Vanilla sugar (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 1 pinch of Salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting (as seen in the photo).
Recipe Instructions: Instructions: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until creamy. Mix in the egg until smooth. Stir in the flour, vanilla sugar, and salt; knead into a smooth dough. Roll out the dough and cut into festive shapes (stars, trees) OR form into small balls and flatten. Bake on a lined sheet for 10–12 minutes. Cool completely and dust with powdered sugar if desired.