Description
Delightful Easter Shortbread Cookie Bites featuring a buttery and tender crumb, subtly sweetened and decorated with colorful sprinkles, perfect for festive celebrations or an everyday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- 1/4 tsp salt
Decoration
- Colorful sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the shortbread cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps give the cookies a tender texture.
- Add Vanilla and Dry Ingredients: Mix in the pure vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sifted all-purpose flour and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Chill Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Chilling solidifies the fats and makes the dough easier to handle while promoting a better texture in the baked cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Once chilled, scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden, signaling that they are perfectly baked without being overdone.
- Decorate: Remove the cookies from the oven and while they are still warm, sprinkle colorful sprinkles on top so they stick and add a festive touch.
Notes
- For softer cookies, bake on the shorter end of the time range.
- Ensure butter is properly softened to achieve a light, fluffy mix with sugar.
- Chilling the dough is essential for best texture and handling.
- The sprinkles should be added immediately after baking to adhere properly to warm cookies.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep fresh up to 1 week.
- Can be made ahead and frozen before baking for convenience.
