4-Ingredient Christmas Shortbread Cookies
These 4-Ingredient Christmas Shortbread Cookies are a simple and delightful holiday treat combining buttery, tender texture with festive flavors. Made with just unsalted butter, powdered sugar, all-purpose flour, and vanilla extract, they’re quick to prepare, perfect for bakers of all skill levels, and easily customizable for gifting or holiday celebrations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Total Time: 30-33 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free flour is used)
Ingredients
Scale
Basic Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Tools: Start by gathering all the ingredients and making sure your butter is softened for easy mixing. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and fluffy, using a hand mixer or stand mixer. This step infuses air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Vanilla and Flour: Stir in the vanilla extract until combined. Next, gradually add the all-purpose flour, mixing gently until the dough comes together without overworking it. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll pieces of dough into small balls or press into cookie cutters for festive shapes. Place them on the lined baking sheet, spacing the cookies about an inch apart to prevent spreading.
- Bake and Cool: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating or serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for smooth dough and tender texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies.
- Chill the dough for 20-30 minutes if it feels too soft to help maintain shape during baking.
- Watch your oven closely and check cookies early to avoid overbaking and dryness.
- Customize after cooling by adding sprinkles or dipping in chocolate to avoid melting decorations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: shortbread cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookies, 4-ingredient recipe, buttery cookies, festive baking