Name: Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter softened; ¼ cup powdered sugar; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 1 cup all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 3 teaspoons Christmas colored nonpareils

There’s something so charming about tiny, buttery cookies with just a hint of almond and a festive sprinkle of color. This Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe feels like a warm hug in cookie form, perfect for holiday gatherings or anytime you want to impress with minimal fuss.

A close-up view of many small square cookies piled together in a white bowl lined with red and white polka dot paper. Each cookie is light beige in color with tiny round sprinkles of red, green, and white on top, giving a festive feel. The cookies look soft with a smooth texture and some show a slightly yellow center. The background has a white marbled surface and a red cloth with white snowflake patterns can be seen beneath the bowl. 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 Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

What makes these shortbread bites stand out is their perfect balance of buttery richness and the cheerful pop of festive sprinkles that make them irresistibly fun. I’ve made these for years, and every time they disappear faster than expected – trust me, you’ll want a stash ready.

Simple ingredients: You probably have everything you need already in your pantry.
Easy prep: Minimal hands-on time and no fancy equipment required.
Customizable: Swapping sprinkles lets you tailor these bites for any occasion or season.
Perfectly portioned: Bite-size treats are great for gifting or nibbling throughout the day.

The image shows many small square cookies, each topped with tiny round sprinkles in red, green, and white colors. The cookies have a light golden color on some edges, indicating they are baked, while the rest of the cookie is a pale cream color. The sprinkles are evenly spread on the top surface of the cookies. The cookies are closely packed together, covering the entire white marbled surface underneath. The texture of the cookies looks soft and slightly crumbly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe combines classic shortbread staples for that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the almond extract adds a subtle, festive warmth. Picking the right sprinkles makes it feel extra special — here’s a quick rundown of why each ingredient is key.

Flat lay of a small slab of unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of powdered sugar, a tiny white ceramic bowl with clear almond extract, a mound of all-purpose flour on white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of kosher salt, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with colorful Christmas nonpareil sprinkles, all arranged symmetrically with perfect balance, 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: The star of shortbread; using unsalted lets you control the saltiness perfectly.
Powdered sugar: Gives the cookies a silky texture without grit, unlike granulated sugar.
Almond extract: Adds a festive note that’s more interesting than plain vanilla but you can swap if you prefer.
All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure without toughening the delicate cookie.
Kosher salt: Just a pinch enhances the buttery sweetness and balances flavors.
Christmas colored nonpareils: These give bursts of color and crunch, making the bites as pretty as they are tasty.

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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 love mixing up the sprinkle colors depending on the season — it’s such an easy way to make the Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe feel fresh and new. Sometimes I swap almond extract for vanilla or add a little lemon zest for a bright twist.

Variation: One year, I made these bites with classic red and pink sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, and they were a huge hit with friends who had never tried almond-flavored shortbread before.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by softening your butter, but don’t let it get too melty. In my electric mixer bowl, I blend the butter, powdered sugar, and almond extract until it’s silky smooth. This part sets the base and you want a creamy texture before you add flour — it helps your cookies be tender and light.

Step 2: Gently Add the Flour and Salt

Patience is key here! Slowly mix in the flour and salt a little at a time. This keeps the dough soft and crumbly but forming. Don’t overmix; you’re aiming for a dough that holds together but isn’t tough. It’s ok if it looks a bit shaggy at first.

Step 3: Stir in the Sprinkles and Chill

Fold in your choice of colorful sprinkles gently. Then, knead the dough just a few times to make a cohesive ball. Press it evenly into your lined baking pan and pop it into the fridge for about 20 minutes to firm up — this makes slicing so much easier and cleaner.

Step 4: Slice and Bake to Perfection

Lift the chilled dough onto a cutting board using the plastic wrap or parchment. Slice into neat half-inch squares, then space them on cookie sheets. Bake at 325°F for about 10-12 minutes — watch closely near the end since they brown quickly. That golden edge is when you know they’re ready.

Top Tip

I’ve baked these Festive Shortbread Bites many times, and over the years I’ve mastered a few tricks that make all the difference in getting buttery, delicate bites every time.

Soft Butter, Not Melted: Make sure your butter is softened just enough to blend easily, but never melted—this keeps the texture perfect.
Gentle Flour Mixing: Add the flour gradually and mix on low speed or fold by hand to prevent toughening.
Chill Dough: Don’t skip chilling; it helps the dough set so slicing doesn’t turn into a crumbly mess.
Watch Baking Time: Keep your eyes on the oven in the last minutes to catch that slight browning—too long and they lose their tender crumb.

How to Serve Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe

Festive Shortbread Bites - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love adding an extra sprinkle mix right before baking for that vivid pop of color on top. For holiday parties, a dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a snowy sparkle that everyone notices.

Side Dishes

These shortbread bites pair beautifully with a cup of rich hot cocoa or spiced tea. I’ve also served them alongside a creamy brie and fresh fruit platter for a lovely holiday dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive gatherings, I arrange them in mini paper cups on a tiered dessert stand with alternating sprinkle colors — it’s so inviting! Wrapped in clear cellophane tied with a ribbon, they also make adorable homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover shortbread bites in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay perfectly tender for up to a week but with these, I rarely have leftovers!

Freezing

If I want to prep early, I freeze the dough slab before slicing. Once sliced, I freeze individual bites on a tray and then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, I bake from frozen, adding a couple minutes to baking time.

Reheating

Shortbread is best fresh, but if you need to reheat, a quick 5 minutes in a 300°F oven revives that buttery flavor and crisp edges without drying them out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute vanilla extract for almond extract?

Yes! You can swap almond extract for vanilla extract with no problem. The cookies will have a more classic buttery flavor, which is delicious, too. Just use the same amount or slightly less if you prefer a milder flavor.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which makes it easier to slice cleanly and helps the shortbread keep its shape during baking. If you skip chilling, the dough can be sticky and the bites may bake unevenly.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, you can use salted butter, but I recommend omitting the additional salt called for in the recipe to avoid over-salting. Salted butter can subtly influence the final taste, so adjust as you like.

How do I store these shortbread bites?

Store the shortbread bites in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They keep well and maintain their texture if protected from moisture and heat. For longer storage, consider freezing the dough or baked cookies.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this Festive Shortbread Bites Recipe feels like sharing a little bit of cozy magic. These simple, charming treats have become my go-to for celebrations because they bring joy with every bite and invite conversation over a warm drink. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—you really can’t go wrong with this little taste of buttery happiness.