Funfetti Shortbread Bites

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Funfetti Shortbread Bites are the perfect holiday treat! These melt-in your mouth bites are buttery, full of shortbread flavor and so festive with the Christmas sprinkles!

funfetti shortbread bites in a glass jar with a ribbon

Easy Funfetti Shortbread Bites

If you’re making Christmas cookies this year, then add this recipe to the list! With just five ingredients, they are easy to make, delicious and totally festive. They are a top contender for favorite holiday treats right along with Hot Cocoa Cookies, Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, Peanut Butter Balls and Rocky Road Fudge.

These Funfetti Shortbread Bites also make a great addition to your Christmas cookie trays and and are an awesome gift idea. Simply place these bites into a jar, or tin or box and add a festive decoration or ribbon!

fingers holding a funfetti shortbread bite

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Butter– You will use cold salted butter and dice into small pieces. If you use unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the flour.
  • Sugar– Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the shortbread.
  • Flour–  All-purpose flour is used in this recipe.
  • Almond extract– Use pure almond extract.
  • Sprinkles– We used Christmas Blend Nonpareils sprinkles but any small sprinkles will work.
funfetti shortbread bites in a glass jar with a ribbon

How To Make Funfetti Shortbread Bites

  • Grease a 13 x 9″ baking dish and line with parchment paper.
  • Cream cold butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer until combined.
  • Add in almond extract and stir until incorporated.
  • Add in flour and mix until it comes together. Add a teaspoon or two of milk to help consistency if needed.
  • Fold in 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of sprinkles.
  • Press dough flat into an even layer in the prepared baking pan.
  • Chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Remove chilled dough from dish and cut with a large sharp knife into 1/2″ squares.
  • Transfer 1/3 of the squares to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake 8-12 minutes while keeping the remaining squares chilled until ready to bake.
  • Repeat the baking process with the remaining squares and allow them to cool on the baking sheet.

Tips and Tricks

  • It is important to use cold butter that is diced into smaller pieces for this recipe. Room temperature butter will not yield good results.
  • If your dough seems to be crumbly when mixing, add a few tablespoons of milk until the dough becomes workable.
  • Also, it’s important to note that before baking, these shortbread bites go into the fridge first. Moreover, you actually cut them prior to placing them in the oven.
  • While each batch bakes, keep the remaining dough in the fridge so it doesn’t start to reach room temperature. These will get gooey and sticky pretty quick if left out.
  • These can quickly change from Christmas cookies to Valentine’s Day cookies or to Easter cookies. Just change the sprinkles!

How To Store Funfetti Shortbread Bites

Store these shortbread bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. These cookies will freeze well in freezer bags or in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

funfetti shortbread bites in a glass jar with a ribbon

Other Great Shortbread Recipes

funfetti shortbread bites
5 from 22 votes

Funfetti Shortbread Bites

Funfetti Shortbread Bites are the perfect holiday treat! With just five ingredients, they are easy, delicious and totally festive.
Servings: 36 servings
Prep: 35 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Total: 47 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup salted butter cold and diced
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 1/4 cups  all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons sprinkles divided

Instructions

  • Grease a 13×9″ baking dish and line with parchment paper.
  • Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer until combined.
  • Add in almond extract and stir until incorporated.
  • With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour and mix until combined . It will take some mixing and may appear dry and crumbly at first but it will start to come together. Add a teaspoon or two of milk to help consistency if needed.
  • Fold in 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of sprinkles.
  • Press dough flat and even into the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle the remaining sprinkles over the top (feel free to add more than the 1/2 tablespoon remaining).
  • Press them in to the top gently and chill in the fridge for 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Remove chilled dough from dish and cut into 1/2″ squares.
  • Transfer 1/3 of the squares to a parchment lined baking sheet and bake 8-12 minutes while keeping the remaining squares chilled til ready to bake.
  • Repeat the baking process with the remaining squares and allow them to cool on the baking sheet.
  • Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

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Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

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