4-Ingredient Christmas Shortbread Cookies
Looking for a quick and easy holiday treat to satisfy your sweet tooth? These 4-Ingredient Christmas Shortbread Cookies are the perfect solution! With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delicious cookies in no time.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the vanilla extract and gradually mix in the flour until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface and use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool before serving and enjoy!
Popular questions:
- Can I use margarine instead of butter?
- Can I use gluten-free flour?
- How can I add more flavor to the cookies?
- Can I freeze the cookie dough?
- Can I decorate the cookies with icing?
While butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture, margarine can be used as a substitute. Just ensure it is in solid form for the recipe.
Yes, you can use a gluten-free flour blend as a substitute for regular flour in this recipe.
You can enhance the flavor by adding lemon or orange zest, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or even some chopped nuts to the dough.
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to a month. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before freezing.
Absolutely! Feel free to decorate the cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or colored sugar for a festive touch.
Helpful tips:
- For an extra crunch, you can sprinkle some sugar on top of the cookies before baking.
- Make sure to let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.
- Experiment with different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters to create a variety of festive designs.
Expert Secrets:
- To achieve a tender crumb, avoid overmixing the dough once the flour is added. Mix until just combined.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out can make it easier to work with and help the cookies hold their shape.
- For a richer flavor, you can use salted butter and reduce the amount of powdered sugar slightly.