Introduction
There’s something magical about buttery shortbread during the holidays. Crisp on the edges and melt-in-your-mouth tender, these Christmas favorites bring warmth and nostalgia to every bite. From classic versions to chocolate-dipped and festive twists, here are 26 irresistible shortbread recipes everyone will love baking (and sharing!) this season.
1. Classic Scottish Shortbread
The timeless recipe that started it all — rich, buttery, and perfectly crumbly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add flour and salt; mix until dough forms.
- Press into an 8×8-inch pan and prick with a fork.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes until lightly golden. Cool before cutting.
How to Serve It
Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy with hot tea or cocoa.
2. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
A simple twist — buttery shortbread meets rich chocolate for a decadent treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 6 oz dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla until creamy.
- Add flour; form dough and chill 15 minutes.
- Shape into rounds and bake for 20 minutes.
- Once cooled, dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate.
How to Serve It
Add crushed candy canes for a festive crunch.
3. Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Zesty and buttery, these cookies brighten up your Christmas tray with a burst of citrus.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Stir in lemon zest and vanilla.
- Add flour; mix into a soft dough.
- Roll out and cut into shapes; bake for 12–15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Drizzle lightly with lemon glaze or dust with powdered sugar.
4. Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread
A festive mix of color and crunch — every bite bursts with buttery flavor and fruity nuts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries, chopped
- ⅓ cup pistachios, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar together.
- Mix in flour, cranberries, and pistachios.
- Shape into a log; chill 30 minutes.
- Slice and bake for 18–20 minutes until golden.
How to Serve It
Tie a few in a ribbon for beautiful edible gifts.
5. Vanilla Bean Shortbread
Simple yet luxurious — pure butter and fragrant vanilla make this a favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 vanilla bean, scraped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until light.
- Add vanilla bean seeds and flour.
- Shape into a log, chill 20 minutes, then slice.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until lightly golden.
How to Serve It
Pair with spiced tea or serve alongside ice cream.
6. Almond Shortbread
A nutty twist adds extra flavor and crunch to the buttery base.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup ground almonds
- ½ tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Mix butter, sugar, and almond extract.
- Add flour and almonds; mix to combine.
- Press into a round pan; score into wedges.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden.
How to Serve It
Top with toasted almond slices and a dusting of sugar.
7. Peppermint Shortbread
Cool peppermint and buttery sweetness combine for a refreshing holiday treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ tsp peppermint extract
- Crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter, sugar, and peppermint extract.
- Add flour; mix until smooth.
- Roll out and cut shapes; bake 15–18 minutes.
- Cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate, sprinkle candy cane bits.
How to Serve It
Perfect for cookie exchanges and gift boxes.
8. Brown Sugar Shortbread
Rich and cozy, brown sugar gives this shortbread a deeper flavor and tender crumb.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Stir in flour and salt; mix until combined.
- Press into a baking pan and score lightly.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting.
How to Serve It
Sprinkle with extra brown sugar while warm for a sweet crust.
9. Maple Pecan Shortbread
Nutty pecans and real maple syrup make this cookie a holiday must-bake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ¼ cup finely chopped pecans
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter, sugar, and maple syrup until creamy.
- Mix in flour and pecans.
- Shape dough into rounds; bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Cool, then drizzle with maple glaze if desired.
How to Serve It
Pair with hot coffee for a cozy winter treat.
10. Orange Glazed Shortbread
These cookies bring a burst of holiday citrus with every buttery bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tbsp orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter, sugar, and zest.
- Add flour; mix to form dough.
- Cut shapes and bake 15–17 minutes.
- Combine orange juice and sugar for glaze; brush over cooled cookies.
How to Serve It
Top with candied orange peel for extra flair.
11. Chocolate Chip Shortbread
A delightful mix of buttery richness and bits of chocolate in every bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Stir in flour and fold in chocolate chips.
- Roll into a log, chill 20 minutes, slice, and bake for 15–18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dip half in melted chocolate for a double-chocolate treat.
12. Espresso Shortbread
Bold and buttery, this shortbread has a subtle coffee kick perfect for espresso lovers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp instant espresso powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter, sugar, and espresso powder.
- Add flour; mix until soft dough forms.
- Shape into rounds and bake for 15–17 minutes.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with a thin mocha glaze for added flavor.
13. White Chocolate Raspberry Shortbread
Sweet, creamy, and fruity — these cookies are holiday eye-catchers.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ cup dried raspberries, chopped
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar; mix in flour.
- Add raspberries and chocolate.
- Shape into small rounds and bake for 15 minutes.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
How to Serve It
Top with crushed freeze-dried raspberries for color.
14. Cinnamon Spice Shortbread
A holiday classic with a comforting mix of cinnamon and butter.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy.
- Add flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Roll dough into balls, flatten slightly, bake for 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
How to Serve It
Serve warm with apple cider or tea.
15. Toffee Pecan Shortbread
Crunchy, buttery, and sweet — this shortbread melts in your mouth.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup toffee bits
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar; mix in flour, toffee, and pecans.
- Shape and bake for 18–20 minutes. Cool completely.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with caramel for extra sweetness.
16. Rosemary Sea Salt Shortbread
Savory meets sweet in this elegant, buttery cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Add flour and rosemary; mix well.
- Form rounds, sprinkle sea salt, bake 16–18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Perfect with cheese boards or wine.
17. Caramel Swirl Shortbread
Rich caramel flavor swirled into buttery dough makes every bite dreamy.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar, mix in flour.
- Swirl in caramel gently.
- Press into pan, bake 30 minutes, cool before slicing.
How to Serve It
Top with a light sprinkle of flaky salt.
18. Hazelnut Shortbread
Crunchy hazelnuts bring rich flavor to these melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup chopped hazelnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Mix butter and sugar until smooth.
- Add flour and hazelnuts; combine.
- Shape and bake for 18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with Nutella or chocolate spread for dipping.
19. Coconut Shortbread
A buttery base with tropical coconut twist that feels like a holiday getaway.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Mix in flour and coconut.
- Shape dough into rounds; bake for 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dip edges in white chocolate and roll in toasted coconut.
20. Mocha Almond Shortbread
A cozy blend of coffee, cocoa, and almonds in one buttery cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- ¼ cup chopped almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Mix butter, sugar, cocoa, and coffee.
- Add flour and almonds; combine.
- Shape and bake 15–17 minutes.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with melted chocolate for a café-style finish.
21. Chai Spice Shortbread
Warm chai spices make this shortbread perfect for winter evenings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp chai spice mix
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add flour and chai spice; mix well.
- Shape, chill 15 minutes, bake 18 minutes.
How to Serve It
Dust with extra spice before serving.
22. Matcha Shortbread
Vibrant and earthy, matcha gives a colorful twist to the traditional cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter and sugar.
- Mix in flour and matcha until even.
- Roll, cut, and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Serve with green tea for a balanced pairing.
23. Gingerbread Shortbread
All the flavors of gingerbread with the texture of classic shortbread.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter and sugar; add spices and flour.
- Mix into dough, roll, cut shapes.
- Bake 15–17 minutes.
How to Serve It
Add icing details for a festive touch.
24. Pistachio Rose Shortbread
Delicate and aromatic, these cookies feel like a special occasion treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- ¼ cup crushed pistachios
- 1 tsp rose water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Mix butter, sugar, and rose water.
- Add flour and pistachios.
- Shape and bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Top with edible rose petals before serving.
25. Chocolate Orange Shortbread
The citrus-chocolate combo creates a rich, holiday-ready cookie.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 4 oz dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Beat butter, sugar, and zest.
- Add flour; mix well.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Dip edges in melted chocolate.
How to Serve It
Top with grated orange peel for aroma.
26. Holiday Sprinkle Shortbread
Cheerful and fun, this shortbread is perfect for kids and holiday parties.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 2¼ cups flour
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add flour, then fold in sprinkles.
- Shape dough, chill 10 minutes, bake 15 minutes.
How to Serve It
Pack in tins for colorful homemade gifts.
Conclusion
Baking shortbread is one of the sweetest ways to fill your home with the warmth of Christmas. From citrus to chocolate and nutty to floral, each of these buttery cookies offers something special for your holiday table. Save your favorites, bake a few batches, and share them with the people you love most this season.
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