Christmas Shortbread Cookies are tender, buttery thumbprint treats crowned with glossy maraschino cherry halves, baking pale and crumbly with melt-in-your-mouth texture that defines holiday shortbread tradition. Softened butter creams with powdered sugar for richness without egg toughness, cornstarch tenderizes further, yielding 24-30 bite-sized cookies perfect for tins, swaps, or iced platters where cherry jewels pop festive red. No-chill dough rolls effortlessly, bakes 12-15 minutes golden-bottomed, stacks airtight weeks freezing flawlessly for December make-ahead.
These cookies capture shortbread essence: high butter ratio (1 cup!) creates sandy dissolve, powdered sugar dissolves grainless sweetening, dual flours (AP + cornstarch) ensure crisp-yet-tender without spreading—reviewers rave “bakery-perfect” every batch. Cherry topping adds visual pop and candied contrast, variations like vanilla/almond deepen cozy, snowy sugar rolls or chocolate drizzles elevate endlessly. Thumbprint shaping kids-manageable, 350°F reliable across ovens, ~80 calories each satisfies sweetly.
Shortbread mastery lies simplicity: beat 2-3 minutes volume, mix minimal gluten-free tenderness, indent pre-bake holds shape—maraschino pat-dry prevents sink, pale tops preserve “snowy” canvas. Budget pantry stars, gluten-free AP swap seamless, vegan butter works texture-close—holiday staple vanishes platters first bite.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Butter-powdered sugar creaming traps air lift without eggs spreading wild; cornstarch (1/2 cup) inhibits gluten for signature shortbread crumble rivaling Scottish originals. No-chill convenience rolls immediate post-mix, thumbprint indents hold via gentle press—no doming fillers. Pale 12-15 minute bake yields uniform bottoms golden, tops preserve white “snowball” charm icing-optional.
Cherry halves (pat-dry paper towel) embed secure without sinking batterless dough; variations embed flavor without method change. Yields consistent 1-tbsp balls ~2-inch baked, parchment-lined sheets rotate easy even browning. Freezes dough scooped/baked 3 months revives oven-fresh; airtight tins layer parchment stays crisp weeks.
Custom rules holidays: vanilla/almond extracts cozy, powdered sugar pre-roll snowballs, white/dark chocolate drizzle turtles. Dietary adapts effortless: gluten-free 1:1 AP/cornstarch, vegan Earth Balance, keto almond flour/erythritol low(er)-carb. Pairs tea/coffee, milk kids, champagne adults—~80 calories satisfies portioned.
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