Introduction
Nothing says Christmas quite like the buttery aroma of freshly baked shortbread cookies! 🍪✨ These melt-in-your-mouth classics bring joy to every holiday gathering — simple, festive, and perfect for sharing. Whether you love the traditional Scottish version or fun seasonal twists like peppermint, cranberry, or chocolate-dipped, this list has a magical shortbread for every cookie tray.
So grab your rolling pin, preheat your oven, and let’s bake some Christmas cheer with these 22 magical shortbread cookies everyone will love!
1. Classic Scottish Shortbread
The timeless buttery shortbread — crumbly, rich, and perfect with tea or cocoa.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Sift in flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mix until dough forms.
- Press into a parchment-lined 8×8 pan and prick with a fork.
- Bake 30–35 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool, then cut into fingers or wedges.
How to Serve It:
Sprinkle with extra sugar and serve with Christmas tea or mulled wine.
2. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
A touch of chocolate makes these buttery cookies extra special for Christmas gifting!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy; add vanilla.
- Gradually mix in flour until soft dough forms.
- Roll out and cut into rounds. Bake 12–15 minutes.
- Melt chocolate and dip cooled cookies halfway.
- Place on wax paper to set.
How to Serve It:
Add crushed candy canes or gold dust for a festive touch.
3. Peppermint Shortbread Cookies
Minty, buttery, and totally Christmas-perfect!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- ¼ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F (165°C).
- Cream butter, sugar, and peppermint extract.
- Add flour; mix to form dough.
- Roll out, cut, and sprinkle with candy cane bits.
- Bake 15 minutes until firm.
How to Serve It:
Serve with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream.
4. Cranberry Orange Shortbread
Tangy cranberries and citrusy orange zest bring a fresh festive flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp orange zest
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream butter and sugar. Add zest.
- Mix in flour, fold in cranberries.
- Roll into a log, chill 30 minutes.
- Slice and bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Drizzle with white chocolate for a snow-kissed look.
5. Almond Shortbread
Nutty and aromatic — a delicate twist for almond lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F (165°C).
- Beat butter, sugar, and extract.
- Stir in flours.
- Shape into disks and chill 20 minutes.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until pale golden.
How to Serve It:
Top with toasted almonds and a drizzle of honey.
6. Chocolate Chip Shortbread
A cross between shortbread and chocolate chip cookies — soft, buttery, and festive.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F.
- Cream butter, sugar, and vanilla.
- Add flour; fold in chips.
- Shape and chill 15 minutes.
- Bake 12–15 minutes until edges set.
How to Serve It:
Serve warm with hot cocoa or wrap for cookie exchanges.
7. Pistachio Cranberry Shortbread
Vibrant, nutty, and festive — these cookies look like Christmas jewels!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup chopped pistachios
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add flour, mix, fold in nuts and fruit.
- Roll into log, chill, slice, and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dust lightly with powdered sugar snow.
8. Salted Caramel Shortbread
Sweet meets salty in this rich caramel twist.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup caramel sauce
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Bake shortbread base at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- Spread caramel, sprinkle salt.
- Cool completely before cutting.
How to Serve It:
Top with melted chocolate for a millionaire’s bar style treat.
9. Lemon Shortbread
Bright and buttery — a refreshing cookie on your Christmas dessert plate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F.
- Cream butter, sugar, and zest.
- Add juice, then flour.
- Shape, chill, and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dust with lemon sugar before serving.
10. Matcha Shortbread
Earthy and elegant, perfect for green tea lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tsp matcha powder
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add matcha and flour.
- Roll and cut shapes. Bake 12–15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Pair with white chocolate drizzle for a winter contrast.
11. White Chocolate Cranberry Shortbread
Creamy and tart — a beloved Christmas flavor combo.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F.
- Beat butter and sugar. Add flour.
- Fold in chips and cranberries.
- Bake 15 minutes until golden.
How to Serve It:
Dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkle crushed candy canes.
12. Espresso Shortbread
Coffee lovers’ dream — crisp, buttery, with espresso depth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F.
- Mix butter, sugar, espresso.
- Add flour.
- Shape and bake 15–17 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dip edges in dark chocolate for extra indulgence.
13. Maple Pecan Shortbread
Warm, nutty, and beautifully aromatic.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F.
- Cream butter, sugar, and syrup.
- Add flour, fold in pecans.
- Bake 15–18 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Drizzle with maple glaze for a shiny finish.
14. Cinnamon Sugar Shortbread
Cozy and sweet with a hint of spice — smells like Christmas morning!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat to 325°F.
- Mix butter, sugar, cinnamon.
- Add flour.
- Shape, bake 14 minutes, sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It:
Serve warm with spiced cider.
15. Toffee Shortbread Bars
Sweet, buttery, and crunchy in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup toffee bits
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F.
- Mix butter, sugar, and flour.
- Fold in toffee.
- Press in pan, bake 20 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Top with melted chocolate and crushed pecans.
16. Gingerbread Shortbread
Spicy, buttery, and festive — a Christmas cookie hybrid.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat 325°F.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add spices and flour.
- Roll and bake 12–14 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dip edges in white icing for a frosty touch.
17. Coconut Shortbread
A tropical twist on a winter favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat 350°F.
- Mix butter, sugar, flour, and coconut.
- Shape and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Add a drizzle of white chocolate for extra sweetness.
18. Nutella Swirl Shortbread
Hazelnut chocolate ribbons make these cookies unforgettable.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ¼ cup Nutella
Instructions
- Preheat 350°F.
- Mix dough base, swirl in Nutella.
- Chill, slice, and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Dust with powdered sugar snow.
19. Rosemary Sea Salt Shortbread
Elegant, fragrant, and unique — perfect for cheese platters too.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp chopped rosemary
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat 325°F.
- Cream butter, sugar; add rosemary.
- Stir in flour, salt.
- Shape, chill, bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Sprinkle with flaky salt before baking.
20. Strawberry Shortbread Sandwiches
A sweet nod to Christmas romance — buttery cookies with fruity filling.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup strawberry jam
Instructions
- Bake plain cookies at 350°F for 12 minutes.
- Spread jam between cooled pairs.
How to Serve It:
Shape into hearts or stars for Christmas parties.
21. Brown Sugar Shortbread
Deep caramel notes make these rich and flavorful.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat 325°F.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add flour and salt.
- Press, cut, and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Top with a sugar glaze for sparkle.
22. Festive Sprinkle Shortbread
Fun, colorful, and kid-approved — the perfect cookie to bake with family.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ cup holiday sprinkles
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat to 350°F.
- Mix butter, sugar, vanilla.
- Add flour, fold in sprinkles.
- Bake 12 minutes.
How to Serve It:
Serve on a cookie platter with milk for Santa!
Conclusion
From buttery classics to peppermint-twisted favorites, these 22 magical shortbread cookies bring joy and sparkle to every Christmas celebration. 🎅✨ Bake a few batches, wrap them in ribboned tins, and share the love — because homemade shortbread is the sweetest holiday gift of all.
Happy baking, and may your kitchen be filled with butter, sugar, and cheer! ❤️🎄
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