Name: Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature; 3/4 cup powdered sugar; 1 Tablespoon vanilla bean paste; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 cups all purpose flour (gluten free if needed); 1 Tablespoon cornstarch; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 Tablespoons milk; 4 ounces white chocolate; Rosemary sprigs; Sprinkles; Sanding sugar; Red food coloring oil-based

There’s something so comforting about a classic buttery crunch paired with playful designs—this Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe gives you both in every bite! These cookies bring a little joy to your kitchen, whether you’re decorating for the holidays or just in the mood for a charming treat.

The image shows a close-up of round cookies with white icing, arranged on a white marbled surface dusted with powdered sugar. There are two types of cookies: some are solid circles decorated with red icing shaped like a Christmas hat with white sugar sprinkles for the hat’s fur, and others are ring-shaped with white icing decorated with small red and white candy balls and tiny green rosemary sprigs. The cookies have a light golden-brown edge, and the overall look is festive and wintery with green pine needles and a white Christmas ornament placed around the cookies for decoration. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made these shortbread cookies with festive decorations—they were a hit with friends and family. What makes this recipe stand out isn’t just the taste but how fun and approachable the decorating process can be for anyone.

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these pantry staples at home, which makes baking effortless.
Perfect Texture: The buttery base is tender and crisp without being crumbly in a frustrating way.
Decorating Fun: You get to customize each cookie with icing, chocolate, and festive touches that look impressive but are easy to do.
Great for Gifting: These charming cookies make beautiful and thoughtful homemade gifts during the holidays or special occasions.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe blends simple ingredients that create that classic melt-in-your-mouth texture and taste. I've learned that quality butter really makes all the difference, and vanilla bean paste adds a richer depth than regular vanilla extract.

Flat lay of a small block of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl holding vanilla bean paste, a few grains of salt scattered near a small pinch of fine salt, a mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing cornstarch, another small white ceramic bowl with smooth white powdered sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy milk, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, a few fresh rosemary sprigs with bright green needles, a small pile of red sprinkles, a small heap of sparkling sanding sugar crystals, and a small cluster of smooth, whole white eggshells, all arranged with perfect symmetry placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter ensures smooth mixing and a tender crumb.
Powdered sugar: Finely ground sugar helps keep the cookies delicate and not grainy.
Vanilla bean paste: Adds real vanilla flecks and intensifies flavor – a small upgrade that’s totally worth it.
Salt: Just a pinch helps balance sweetness and brings out the butter's richness.
All-purpose flour: Gives structure; gluten-free flour works here too if you need.
Cornstarch: Softens the texture, making these cookies so tender they practically melt.
Milk (for icing): Thins the icing perfectly for dipping without making it runny.
White chocolate: Melts beautifully for piping and decoration, especially when paired with oil-based food coloring.
Rosemary sprigs and sprinkles: Simple festive elements that bring charm and color.
Oil-based red food coloring: Necessary to avoid chocolate seizing when mixing colors.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I enjoy tweaking this Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe depending on the season or who I'm baking for. Sometimes I swap the rosemary and red sprinkles for more colorful confetti sprinkles outside of the holiday season—it just brightens everything up!

Variation: Once, I added finely chopped orange zest to the dough for a fresh zing, and it was a subtle twist everyone loved.
Dietary modification: Using a gluten-free blend works beautifully here without sacrificing texture, perfect if you’ve got gluten sensitivities.
Seasonal twist: Swap red coloring and rosemary for green and holly-shaped sprinkles for St. Patrick’s Day or jazz it up with edible gold dust for a birthday party.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe

The image shows a stack of round cookies with a hole in the center, each cookie decorated on top with smooth white icing. The icing is sprinkled with small red and white round candy beads and small green rosemary sprigs, giving a festive look. The cookies are light golden brown with a slightly crumbly texture and are stacked in the center of the image on a white marbled surface. Around the stack, there are other cookies decorated with similar white icing and some have red and white shapes on top. Festive greenery and white ornamental acorns are scattered nearby, adding to the holiday feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Silky

Start by beating room temperature unsalted butter on medium-high speed for about 1-2 minutes until it’s smooth and creamy. Scrape down the bowl walls, then add in powdered sugar and beat another minute. The key here is to get this base silky so your cookies turn out perfectly tender. Don’t rush—rushing usually means gritty sugar won’t dissolve well.

Step 2: Mix in Vanilla and Salt, Then the Dry Ingredients

Beat in vanilla bean paste and salt until they’re fully incorporated. Next, lower your mixer speed to medium-low and add the flour and cornstarch. Initially, the dough will look crumbly—totally normal! Scrape down the sides and keep mixing until it begins to pull away from the bowl and sticks together nicely. Cover and chill in plastic wrap for 30 minutes—it’s essential for easier rolling later.

Step 3: Roll, Cut, and Chill Before Baking

Generously flour your work surface and roll the dough out to a ¼-inch thickness. I like to keep a bench scraper handy to gently lift the dough if it starts sticking. Use your cookie cutters—round, scalloped, or other festive shapes—to create your cutouts. Gather scraps and re-roll gently to avoid tough cookies. Place the cookies at least an inch apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill another 15-30 minutes—this step helps maintain their shape while baking.

Step 4: Bake Until Just Beginnings of Golden Edges

Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–10 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through for even baking. Keep a close eye—when edges just begin to turn golden, they’re ready. Overbaking dries them out, so timing is key! Let cool for 5 minutes on the sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 5: Dip and Decorate Your Cookies

Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk to make a smooth icing. Dip the cooled cookies upside down into the icing; trust me, dipping is quicker and gives a nice even coat. For the wreaths, press rosemary sprigs and red sprinkles onto the wet icing before it sets. For Santa hats, melt white chocolate and tint some with oil-based red food coloring—pipe on shapes, then add white chocolate accents and sugar for sparkle. Feeling creative? Green food coloring makes adorable Christmas trees!

Top Tip

From my many batches of these shortbread cookies, I've learned a few tricks that really improve the experience and outcome. These little tips save time and get you that perfect texture and decoration.

Butter temperature matters: Too cold and your dough won’t come together well; too warm and the cookies spread out too much in the oven.
Chill twice: Don’t skip chilling the dough before rolling and chilling the cut cookies—this helps keep your shapes crisp and neat.
Oil-based food coloring only: Using a water- or gel-based color can cause the white chocolate to seize up—oil-based keeps it smooth.
Cookie dipping finesse: Dip cookies upside down to coat neatly and avoid breakage. Handle gently and have parchment ready for drip drying.

How to Serve Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe

festive shortbread cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Rosemary sprigs and red sprinkles are my go-to garnishes because they bring freshness and a pop of traditional holiday color. Plus, the rosemary adds a lovely hint of pine aroma that pairs surprisingly well with buttery shortbread.

Side Dishes

I love pairing these cookies with a hot cup of spicy chai tea or rich coffee. During holiday gatherings, a glass of mulled wine or warm cider alongside these sweet treats creates a cozy combo your guests will appreciate.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arranging the cookies in a wreath shape on a platter always sparks a smile. I’ve also tied little bundles of rosemary with twine next to stacks of cookies for a rustic touch. Wrapped in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon, they make heartwarming gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated and completely dry, store your shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. I find they stay fresh and tasty for up to 5 days—just keep layers separated with parchment to prevent sticking or smudging.

Freezing

If you want to make these ahead, freeze baked but undecorated cookies in a single layer on a baking tray, then pack them in freezer-safe containers. They last up to 3 months frozen. When ready, thaw fully before decorating—this saves time on busy days.

Reheating

I usually enjoy these cookies at room temperature, but if you want to warm them slightly, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 3-5 minutes—just enough to bring back that fresh-from-the-oven aroma without melting decorations.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum or another binder. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious and tender.

What kind of food coloring should I use for decorating?

It's best to use oil-based food coloring when mixing with white chocolate because water-based colors can cause the chocolate to seize and become grainy.

Can I decorate the cookies the day before serving?

Yes! Just make sure the icing and chocolate decorations have fully set and dry before storing them airtight. They actually taste better after resting overnight as the flavors meld.

How do I prevent my cookies from spreading too much in the oven?

Chilling the dough twice—first before rolling and again after cutting—helps maintain cookie shapes. Also, keep your butter at room temp, not too soft or melted, to avoid excessive spreading.

Final Thoughts

There’s a special kind of joy in rolling out this dough, cutting fun shapes, and adding colorful decorations that make the cookies look like little edible works of art. This Shortbread Cookies with Festive Decorations Recipe has become my go-to when I want to impress without stress, and I’m sure you’ll love making these sweet memories as much as eating them. So grab your rolling pin and get ready to fill your kitchen with buttery aroma and festive cheer!