These little clouds of buttery goodness are a holiday classic for a reason! Whipped Christmas Shortbread Cookies have an incredibly light, tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture thanks to plenty of whipped butter and cornstarch.
They’re simple to make, beautifully delicate, and perfect for filling holiday cookie tins. Add festive sprinkles, cherries, or a drizzle of melted chocolate to make them extra special for Christmas.
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 4½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups cornstarch
- Sprinkles, cherries, or melted chocolate for decoration, optional
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Use an ungreased baking sheet.
2. Whip the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar until very light and fluffy. This may take several minutes and is an important step for creating the cookies’ delicate texture.
3. Add the Dry Ingredients
Sift the flour and cornstarch together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the whipped butter mixture, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
4. Shape the Cookies
Roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in size, and arrange them on the ungreased baking sheet with a little space between each cookie.
5. Decorate
Lightly press each dough ball with a fork dipped in flour to flatten it slightly. Add festive sprinkles or a small piece of cherry if desired.
6. Bake
Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cookies are set and the bottoms are lightly golden. The tops should remain pale rather than browned.
7. Cool
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
⭐ Tips for Perfect Shortbread Cookies
- Whip the butter well: This is the key to the light, airy texture.
- Sift the dry ingredients: It helps distribute the cornstarch evenly throughout the dough.
- Don’t overmix: Mix only until the flour and cornstarch are incorporated.
- Keep them pale: These cookies should be lightly golden on the bottoms but remain pale on top.
- Use soft butter: Room-temperature butter whips much more easily than cold butter.
🎁 Easy Decoration Ideas
Keep these cookies classic with colorful Christmas sprinkles, or add a small piece of maraschino cherry to the center before baking. For a richer finish, drizzle the cooled cookies with melted chocolate and let it set completely.
You can also leave them undecorated for a simple, elegant shortbread that melts beautifully in your mouth.
🧊 Storage
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Place parchment paper between layers if you decorate them with chocolate or want to prevent them from sticking together.
These cookies are also perfect for holiday cookie boxes and make a lovely homemade Christmas gift.
📋 Recipe Information
Prep Time: About 15 minutes
Bake Time: About 20 minutes
Total Time: About 35 minutes
Yield: Varies depending on cookie size
Category: Christmas Cookies
Cuisine: American
❤️ Final Thoughts
These Whipped Christmas Shortbread Cookies are wonderfully buttery, tender, and delicate. With only a handful of simple ingredients, they make an easy addition to any holiday baking list.
Whether you decorate them with festive sprinkles or enjoy them plain, they’re the kind of classic Christmas cookie that disappears quickly from the cookie tin.