Week 2 Christmas Shortbread Bites

Christmas Shortbread Bites

Christmas Shortbread Bites are a must try Christmas cookie! Buttery shortbread is dotted with sprinkles, cut into tiny squares then baked until perfectly crisp and delicious. These are perfect for gifting and parties, people of all ages love them!

Ingredients

·       1 cup salted butter, cold and diced into 1 Tbsp pieces*

·       2/3 cup granulated sugar

·       1/2 tsp almond extract

·       2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (scoop and level flour to measure)

·       3 Tbsp nonpareils sprinkles, divided (any color)

Instructions

1.     Butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and line with 2 sheets of parchment paper (one horizontally and one vertically. I also like to butter between parchment sheets so they stick) leaving a 1-inch overhang on all sides, set aside.

2.     In the bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter and sugar until well combined. Mix in almond extract. 

3.     With the mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour and mix until combined (it will take a while and will appear dry and sandy at first but it will start to come together).

4.     Mix and fold in 2 1/2 Tbsp sprinkles. Press dough into an even layer in prepared pan (I did it with my hands first then used the bottom of a flat measuring cup to help smooth it out). 

5.     Chill dough in refrigerator 20 - 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

6.     Lift dough from pan using parchment overhang on all sides. Cut into 1/2-inch squares using a large sharp knife (it works best to just cut long rows). Sprinkle more sprinkles over the top if desired and gently press into dough. 

7.     Transfer about 1/3 of the cookies to an unbuttered baking sheet (also do not line the pan with parchment or silicone liners) and scatter cookies out spacing cookies 1/2-inch apart. 

8.     Bake in preheated oven 8 - 12 minutes (keep remaining that aren't currently baking refrigerated). Repeat process with remaining bites, adding them to a cool baking sheet.

9.     Cool completely then transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature.

Recipe Notes

• *Unsalted butter will work great too. Simply whisk in 1/4 tsp salt with the flour before adding if using unsalted butter.
• These cookies will freeze well for 1 month.