Soft, buttery, and perfectly festive, these Whipped Shortbread Cookies are the kind that melt on your tongue and disappear in a flash. With just 4 simple ingredients and a bit of mixing magic, you’ll have a batch of holiday-ready cookies that everyone will love.
Prep Time: 10 min
Chill Time: 2 hrs
Cook Time: 20 min
Total Time: 2 hr 30 min
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups salted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- ¾ cup cornstarch, sifted
Optional Flavorings & Toppings:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla, lemon, or orange extract
- ¼ cup sprinkles (nonpareils work great)
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar
In a large bowl, use a stand mixer or hand mixer to beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes. This step is essential to create the light, airy texture these cookies are known for. Add vanilla or your chosen extract and mix briefly to combine. - Add dry ingredients
Lower the mixer speed and slowly add in the sifted flour and cornstarch. Mix just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix. - Form cookie balls
Scoop and roll the dough into 36 small balls. If the dough feels too soft, refrigerate it for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping. - Decorate and chill
Place cookie balls on a parchment-lined tray. Gently press the tops with a fork dipped in flour or cornstarch, then add sprinkles. Chill the shaped dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or freeze until very firm. - Bake
Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake the cookies for 19 to 20 minutes, or until the tops look set and the bottoms are lightly golden. Let cool on the tray before serving.
Pro Tips
- Don’t skip the chill time. Cold dough bakes into puffy, tender cookies and prevents spreading.
- Customize flavors by swapping vanilla for almond, lemon, or orange extract.
- Make ahead by freezing unbaked dough balls. Bake from frozen with 1 to 2 minutes added to the bake time.
Topping Ideas
- Press a Hershey’s Kiss on each cookie while still warm. Freeze the candies beforehand to help them hold shape.
- Add a small spoonful of jam in the center of each cookie before baking.
- Use a cherry half and a touch of almond extract for a nostalgic bakery-style twist.
Nutrition Information
Each cookie contains approximately 66 calories, with 6 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of sugar, and 1 gram of protein. These values are estimates and may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Disclaimer:
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary depending on specific ingredients used. For precise dietary information, consult a nutrition professional.
