Introduction

Whipped shortbread cookies are delightfully tender and melt-in-your-mouth treats that are easy to make at home. With a subtle buttery flavor and a light, airy texture, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. Adding sprinkles on top brings a fun and colorful touch.

A close-up view of five soft, round cookies arranged diagonally on a wooden board with a white marbled texture in the background. Each cookie has a smooth, pale yellow surface with three shallow fork marks on top. Small, colorful round sprinkles in green, red, white, and pink are scattered mostly along the fork lines, adding a festive touch to the otherwise simple surface. The cookies have a tender, slightly crumbly texture visible along the edges. The photo focuses on the front cookie with a shallow depth of field, causing the others to blur softly in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 and ½ cups butter (at room temperature, salted)
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
2 and ¼ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or lemon extract or orange extract)
¼ cup sprinkles (of choice, e.g., non-pareils)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, use a stand mixer to beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar for 4-5 minutes on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. If using a handheld mixer, beat on high speed. Add the vanilla or chosen extract and mix briefly to combine.
Step 2: Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add sifted flour and cornstarch. Beat only until just combined and no streaks of flour remain.
Step 3: Scoop the dough and roll into 36 equal-sized balls. If the dough feels too soft, cover and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to firm up, which will make rolling easier and prevent sticking.
Step 4: Place the dough balls on a pre-lined baking tray or on a plate lightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking. Press the tops gently with a fork dipped in cornstarch or flour, then sprinkle your choice of sprinkles on top.
Step 5: Chill the dough balls in the refrigerator for about 2 hours or until firm. To speed up this process, you can place them in the freezer until firm to the touch.
Step 6: Keep the dough balls chilled until you preheat your oven. Usually, you can bake 12 cookies per tray.
Step 7: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the cookies for 19-20 minutes, or until their tops look set but not browned.
Step 8: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking tray before handling.

Tips & Variations

For a citrus twist, substitute the vanilla extract with lemon or orange extract.
If the dough feels too sticky, chilling it longer will make it easier to handle.
Use different types of sprinkles or skip them for a classic look.
Lightly dust the baking tray with cornstarch instead of flour to prevent dough sticking without adding extra flour flavor.

Storage

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. To refresh, bring refrigerated or frozen cookies to room temperature before serving. Avoid reheating in the oven as it may compromise the delicate texture.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a stack of round, soft-looking sugar cookies on a white plate with a gold-patterned rim, each cookie pale creamy yellow in color and lightly textured, topped with red, green, white, and black small round sprinkles set in three parallel indentations across the center of each cookie. The background shows a hint of green and red holiday decoration blurred behind the plate, with the whole scene set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter—just add a pinch of salt to the dough to balance the flavors.

Why do I need to chill the dough balls before baking?

Chilling firms up the dough, helping the cookies hold their shape and preventing them from spreading too much during baking. It also enhances the texture and flavor.