Festive Shortbread Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
Classic buttery shortbread cookies with a delicate crumbly texture, lightly sweetened and enhanced with vanilla. These cookies are simple to make, perfectly golden, and optionally decorated with colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Decoration
- 1/4 cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Beat Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Vanilla and Flour: Stir in the vanilla extract and gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour, mixing until the dough is well-combined and forms a smooth consistency.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Roll the dough out to 1/2 inch thickness on a flat surface. Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter or your preferred shape to cut out individual cookies from the dough.
- Chill the Cookies: Place the cut cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Chill them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help them set and maintain shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and allow it to fully preheat before baking the cookies.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the chilled cookies for 12 to 18 minutes, starting with 10 minutes then checking every 2 minutes until the edges just begin to turn golden brown, indicating they are done.
- Add Sprinkles: Lightly brush the top of each warm cookie with a small amount of milk to moisten the surface. Immediately scatter sprinkles over the top to stick, then allow them to cool slightly to prevent colors from bleeding.
- Serve: Enjoy the shortbread cookies by themselves or alongside a favorite cookie dip for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Chilling the cookies after cutting helps them keep their shape during baking.
- Watch cookies closely near the end of baking to avoid over-browning.
- Using softened butter ensures the dough creams well for better texture.
- Milk is only used to adhere sprinkles; it can be omitted if not decorating.
- Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
Keywords: shortbread cookies, buttery cookies, vanilla cookies, sprinkles cookies, homemade cookies, easy cookie recipe, festive cookies
