Perfect Christmas Shortbread Cookies — Buttery, Crisp, Classic

Christmas shortbread is three ingredients, simple, perfect. Buttery. Crisp. The classic Christmas cookie.

The recipe

Ingredients (makes 24)

• 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Method

1. Cream butter and sugar until light, 3 minutes
2. Add flour, mix until just combined
3. Press into 9x9 pan, score into squares
4. Bake at 325°F for 30-35 minutes until pale golden
5. Cool in pan, then cut and serve

Variations

Classic flavors

• Plain (traditional)
• Vanilla bean
• Lemon zest
• Almond extract

Holiday touches

• Chocolate dipped half
• Drizzled icing
• Sprinkles on top
• Pressed-in chopped nuts

Storage

• Airtight container at room temp
• 2 weeks
• Freeze up to 3 months

Cross-references

For Best Christmas cookies — broader.

For Sugar cookies masterclass — adjacent.

For Christmas baking timeline — broader.

The perfect Christmas shortbread is butter + sugar + flour. Simple. Crisp. Buttery. The classic Christmas cookie everyone loves.