Christmas Shortbread Cookies
I’m so happy you’re here—because these Christmas Shortbread Cookies are the kind of holiday magic that reminds you why baking this time of year feels…
By Amanda DavisDEC 10, 20255 MIN
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Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven. Set to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment.
- Cream the butter and sugar. Beat softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy, light, and fluffy.
- Add cornstarch and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. It should be smooth and slightly firm but pliable.
- Shape the cookies. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and gently flatten with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- Add the cherry. Press a halved maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie.
- Bake. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Cool. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
- Enjoy! Buttery, festive, melt-in-your-hand holiday magic.
I’m so happy you’re here—because these Christmas Shortbread Cookies are the kind of holiday magic that reminds you why baking this time of year feels so special. Just 4 ingredients, melt-in-your-hands tenderness, and that iconic cherry on top that makes them look like Christmas on a plate. Anything but boring!!
And because you asked for Christmas Shortbread Cookies, let’s dive right into the most nostalgic, buttery cookie you’ll make all season.
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Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Overview of the Recipe
These cookies are everything holiday baking should be: simple, beautiful, and unbelievably delicious. With only four ingredients—butter, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and flour—you get a cookie so tender it almost dissolves when you bite into it. Add a maraschino cherry on top and suddenly they’re cheerful, nostalgic, and every bit as charming as grandma’s cookie tin.
Perfect for cookie swaps, gifting, Christmas Eve trays, or anytime you want a no-fuss holiday treat that tastes like pure joy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients
- Foolproof for any skill level
- No chilling required
- Melt-in-your-mouth texture
- Beautiful on cookie platters
- Classic, nostalgic flavor
- Perfect for holiday gifting
- Kid-friendly and fun to decorate
- Great make-ahead cookie
What Do Christmas Shortbread Cookies Taste Like?
Soft. Buttery. Tender. Delicately sweet. They have that signature shortbread crumble that feels velvety and luxurious. The cherry on top adds a pop of color and a hint of fruity brightness that pairs perfectly with the buttery cookie base.
They taste like holiday memories—warm, familiar, comforting, and nostalgic.
Benefits of This Recipe
- Budget-friendly holiday baking
- No special equipment needed
- Easily doubled for big batches
- Keeps well for gifting
- Freezer-friendly
- Simple enough for kids to help
- Festive without complicated decorating
Ingredients for Christmas Shortbread Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- Maraschino cherries, halved (for topping)
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups
- Spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Additions & Substitutions
Additions
- Add vanilla or almond extract (½ teaspoon)
- Roll the edges in sanding sugar for sparkle
- Add mini chocolate chips to the dough
- Use candied cherries instead of maraschino
- Add orange or lemon zest for brightness
Substitutions
- Use salted butter (reduce salt in recipe)
- Use gluten-free 1:1 flour
- Replace cherry with a chocolate kiss for a twist
- Swap powdered sugar for superfine sugar (slightly crispier texture)
How to Make Christmas Shortbread Cookies
- Preheat your oven. Set to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment.
- Cream the butter and sugar. Beat softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy, light, and fluffy.
- Add cornstarch and flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. It should be smooth and slightly firm but pliable.
- Shape the cookies. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and gently flatten with your fingers or the bottom of a glass.
- Add the cherry. Press a halved maraschino cherry into the center of each cookie.
- Bake. Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.
- Cool. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
- Enjoy! Buttery, festive, melt-in-your-hand holiday magic.
What to Serve With These Cookies
- Hot cocoa
- Christmas morning coffee
- Peppermint bark
- Holiday charcuterie boards
- Eggnog
- A Christmas dessert platter with sugar cookies, fudge, and truffles
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: 1 week in an airtight tin
- Refrigerator: Up to 2 weeks
- Freezer (unbaked dough): 3 months
- Freezer (baked cookies): 2 months
General Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–14 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 20–24 cookies
- Difficulty: Easy
- Category: Holiday / Christmas / Cookies
Conclusion
These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are everything a holiday cookie should be—tender, buttery, nostalgic, and unbelievably easy to make. With just four ingredients and a cherry on top, they bring pure Christmas joy to every cookie tray and every cookie lover.
If you loved this recipe, you’ll want to try my Four-Ingredient Nougat Bars, Ooey Gooey Bars, and Pineapple Dream Dessert next!
Share Your Creations!
Make these cookies? I’d love to see them! Share your photos on Pinterest and tag your bake—your festive treats always brighten my day!
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approx.)
- Calories: 105
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 12g
- Protein: 1g
Tips for Success
- Make sure the butter is fully softened—cold butter won’t cream properly.
- Use a light hand—overmixing can make them tough.
- Dry your cherries with a paper towel so the tops don’t slide.
- Bake until just lightly golden—shortbread should never brown deeply.
- Let them cool completely to finish setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to chill the dough?
Nope! This recipe works beautifully without chilling.
Why is there cornstarch in the recipe?
It gives these cookies their signature melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is strongly recommended—the flavor is unmatched.
Can I make these ahead?
Yes! They are perfect make-ahead cookies for the holidays.
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely—roll into balls, freeze, then bake from frozen (add 2–3 minutes).