Easy Chocolate Christmas Shortbread Bites Recipe (2024)

Buttery Christmas shortbread is a family favorite and a staple on our holiday cookie tray. Little cookie bites drizzled with melted chocolate!

Are you ready for some holiday baking fun? Today, I’m going to share a super easy and absolutely delicious Christmas Shortbread.

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without the shortbread for us! It’s one thing that Jeremy and I always agree on. We must have shortbread!

I love how simple and delicious this recipe is. It’s always amazing to me what amazing and yummy foods come out of so few ingredients.

And you know, with such an easy Christmas cookie recipe, you have plenty of room for changing things up! Be sure to check out my additions section down below.

Lily gobbles these things up faster than I can make them. Maybe that’s just my imagination, haha! I promise, she eats more than just cookies during the holidays. Ha!

I’m pretty sure that, if shortbread cookies aren’t already a classic in your home, they will be after you try these crispy, buttery delights.

Whether you’re a first-time baker or a seasoned pro, this Christmas shortbread is perfect for adding that festive touch to your Christmas season.

Some of our other favorite christmas cookie recipes we have on our site include: Christmas Sandwich Cookies, Christmas Tree Cookies, and Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe with Chocolate Chips.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

1. Simple Ingredients: With basic ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour, it’s an easy recipe everyone can make. And you’ll probably have all the ingredients somewhere in your pantry!
2. Fun to Decorate: These cookies are a blank canvas for your festive decorations – think sprinkles, melted chocolate, and more!
3. Buttery and Delicious: The golden brown, buttery cookies are a mouth-watering treat. They have a special flavor that is a classic for a reason!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):

• Salted butter
• Powdered sugar
• Granulated white sugar
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Dark, milk, and white chocolate melting wafers

HOW TO MAKE CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD:

1. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In the body of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the cold butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix until well combined, scrape down the bowl.
3. Mix in the vanilla.
4. Add the flour in three batches, fully mixing it in before adding more, and scrape down the sides as needed.
5. Press the cookie dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line sheet trays with parchment paper and set aside.
7. Remove the cookie dough from the baking dish by using the parchment paper to help lift it out. Cut into ½ inch squares.
8. Arrange the cookie bites on the prepared sheet trays about 1 & ½ inches apart; they will spread a little.
9. Bake for 12-14 minutes until they very, very lightly start to brown along the edges. Allow to cool completely on the tray.
10. Once the cookies are cool, melt the different chocolates. Drizzle ⅓ of them with the dark chocolate, ⅓ with the milk chocolate, and the last ⅓ with the white chocolate.
11. Allow them to sit until the chocolate has hardened and serve.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

DO THESE MAKE GOOD GIFTS?

Absolutely, they do! Christmas Shortbread cookies, much like classic gingerbread cookies, are a fantastic gift idea.

You can lovingly pack them in an airtight container or a decorative Christmas tin. They make for a charming homemade gift, just like those favorite treats we look forward to every single year.

These cookies, with their buttery richness and delightful texture, are always a great recipe to share with loved ones.

DO I HAVE TO ADD THE CHOCOLATE?

Not at all! While chocolate cookies are delicious, these shortbread cookies are equally scrumptious when left plain.

For a festive touch, you could add festive sprinkles, much like you would with classic gingerbread cookies or other classic Christmas cookies.

This adds a colorful and fun twist, making them perfect cookies for holiday cookie exchanges or simply to enjoy with family.

CAN THESE BE MADE AHEAD?

Yes, you certainly can! One of the best things about these cookies, similar to baked cookies like chocolate cookies or classic Christmas cookies, is that they store really well.

You can make them in advance, store them in a single layer in a large bowl or baking pan covered with plastic wrap, or in an airtight container.

This makes them a great idea for new recipes to try out for your Christmas recipes collection, and they’re some of the easiest cookies to prepare ahead of time for your holiday gatherings.

ANY ADDITIONS?

You better believe it. While some of these will take them from being strictly shortbread, they’ll certainly be delicious!

• Holiday sprinkles
• Crushed candy canes
• Drizzle of caramel
• Lemon or almond extract for flavor
• Mini chocolate chips
• Chopped nuts
• Shredded coconut
• Festive icing patterns
• Dried fruit pieces
• A dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

There are definitely some great options here.

• Unsalted butter if you prefer
• Gluten-free flour for a gluten-free version
• Brown sugar for a richer flavor
• Lemon zest for a citrusy note

HOW TO STORE:

Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 10 days. I always like to have some on the counter for up to a week, too, for easy access!

Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.

Christmas Shortbread is more than just a treat; it is a festive tradition in many homes. These easy Christmas cookies are perfect for getting into the holiday spirit.

So, turn on some Christmas music, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake some of the best Christmas shortbread cookies you’ve ever tasted.

Enjoy the baking, the decorating, and, of course, the eating! Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

If you’ve tried this CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!