Christmas Shortbread Cookies
These simple Christmas Shortbread Cookies use just four ingredients to yield tender, buttery cookies with crisp edges and a melt-in-your-mouth center.
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Main
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- Mix in the vanilla extract until combined.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add the flour in two batches and stir just until the dough forms coarse crumbs that hold together when pressed.2 cups all-purpose flour
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knead gently into a ball, roll to ¼-inch thickness, cut into shapes, and chill cut dough for 10 minutes.
- Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet. Bake for 18–20 minutes, rotating halfway, until the edges are lightly golden. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chilling the cut shapes for 10 minutes prevents spreading and helps maintain clean edges.
Using European-style butter yields extra richness and a creamier texture.