Description
Effortlessly make buttery and tender 4-Ingredient Christmas Shortbread Cookies with this simple recipe perfect for festive holiday baking. Featuring just unsalted butter, sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract, these classic cookies melt in your mouth and offer endless customization options, making them a delightful gift or treat for everyone.
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Ingredients
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Butter and Sugar: Soften the unsalted butter at room temperature, then beat it thoroughly with the sugar until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale. This step aerates the dough, crucial for achieving a light and delicate texture.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Pour in the vanilla extract and mix it evenly into the butter and sugar, infusing the dough with a warm, sweet aroma that defines holiday cookies.
- Incorporate the Flour: Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and fold gently into the wet mixture until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough cookies.
- Shape and Chill the Dough: Form the dough into your desired shapes—rounds, wedges, or festive cutouts using cookie cutters. Place shaped cookies on baking sheets and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and enhance texture.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the chilled cookies for 15-18 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden. Let the cookies cool completely before serving or decorating.
Notes
- Use high-quality unsalted butter for the best flavor.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and crumbly.
- Chill the dough well to maintain cookie shape and texture.
- Holiday-themed cookie cutters add festive fun to your baking.
- Watch the oven closely to avoid overbaking; shortbread can brown quickly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Christmas cookies, shortbread, 4-ingredient cookies, holiday baking, easy cookies, festive treats
