Description
These Christmas Cherry Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and speckled with festive red and green candied cherries, making them the perfect holiday treat. With a delicate vanilla flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, these slice-and-bake cookies are easy to prepare and ideal for gifting or sharing at holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 3/4 cup chopped red and green candied cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure it’s ready when the cookies are prepared.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy. This incorporates air, yielding a tender cookie.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Mix in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with a warm, sweet flavor.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing just until the dough comes together to prevent overworking and tough cookies.
- Fold in Candied Cherries: Gently fold in the chopped red and green candied cherries until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Shape the dough into a log about 2 inches in diameter, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up, making slicing easier.
- Slice Dough: Once chilled, slice the log into 1/4-inch thick rounds, ensuring even cookie sizes for uniform baking.
- Bake Cookies: Place the slices on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart and bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden, indicating they are done.
- Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- You can add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract to the dough for a subtle nutty flavor.
- These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week, maintaining freshness and flavor.
- Perfect for gifting during the holiday season, they make a delightful homemade treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
