Name: Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 1 h 14 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; 1 ½ cups Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers or vanilla almond bark, melted; ¼ cup holiday sprinkles

There’s something truly magical about the melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet creaminess of these Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe. They bring a perfect touch of elegance and holiday cheer to any gathering, making them well worth the effort to bake.

The image shows a collection of round sugar cookies arranged closely on a metal cooling rack over a white marbled surface. Each cookie has one layer of pale golden dough topped with a smooth layer of white icing. On top of the icing, there are colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white. The sprinkles vary in shape including small round dots, elongated rods, and tiny white snowflake shapes. The cookies are stacked to show some overlapping edges, presenting a festive and textured look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these cookies countless times during the holidays, and every batch earns rave reviews from family and friends. Their crumbly texture paired with rich white chocolate and that festive sprinkle topping just hits every joyful note I want in a festive treat.

Buttery, Tender Texture: These shortbread cookies are delicate and crumbly without being dry or tough.
Easy to Prepare: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe great for bakers of all levels.
Gorgeous Presentation: The white chocolate glaze and colorful sprinkles make them a beautiful holiday centerpiece.
Customizable Flavors: You can tweak vanilla or toppings easily to match your personal style or occasion.

There are five round sugar cookies with a light golden-brown color, each topped with a smooth layer of white icing that covers most of the surface. On top of the icing, colorful sprinkles in red, green, and white are scattered, including small snowflake shapes and small rod particles, adding texture and festivity. The cookies rest on a sheet of brown parchment paper with some sprinkles spilled nearby. In the background, two clear glass bowls sit on a white marbled surface, one holding plain white icing and the other filled with sprinkles and a red measuring spoon. The image is bright and warm, showcasing the festive cookies up close, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in these cookies plays a crucial role in creating that classic shortbread crumb with a festive twist. Using quality butter and white chocolate really lifts them from ordinary to extraordinary, and a little vanilla bean paste adds a lovely depth of flavor.

Flat lay of a large chunk of soft unsalted butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with fine powdered sugar, a vanilla bean split open showing glossy black seeds alongside a small white bowl of smooth vanilla bean paste, a neat pile of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl containing coarse kosher salt, a small white bowl holding creamy melted white chocolate wafers, and a scattering of colorful holiday sprinkles artfully spread beside them, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: The backbone of shortbread, it provides richness and moistness—make sure it’s softened but not melted.
Powdered Sugar: Gives a smooth sweetness & helps achieve that tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
Vanilla Bean Paste: Adds natural vanilla flavor with those pretty visible specks, but you can use a vanilla bean instead.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates structure without weighing down the cookies.
Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances sweetness perfectly.
Ghirardelli White Chocolate Wafers or Vanilla Almond Bark: Melts smoothly for dipping and adds creamy sweetness with a festive touch.
Holiday Sprinkles: Adds colorful texture and festive flair—choose your favorites for a fun look.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love switching up the sprinkles depending on the season — red and green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter, or even gold and silver for New Year's. Don’t hesitate to tweak the vanilla for stronger flavor or swap out the white chocolate for dark or milk chocolate if you want to mix things up.

Variation: One time, I added a pinch of cinnamon and orange zest for a cozy winter twist, which everyone adored.
Dietary Modification: For a dairy-free option, try plant-based butter and vegan white chocolate melts.
Difficulty: This recipe is perfect whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned baker wanting a reliable crowd-pleaser.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Creaming Butter and Sugar to Perfection

Start by beating the softened butter and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until it’s smooth and fluffy. This is where you get that dreamy tender texture, so don’t rush it. Add the vanilla bean paste and blend until it’s fully combined with no streaks.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients and Form Dough

Mix in the flour and kosher salt until it just comes together. The dough might feel crumbly at first—that’s normal. Don’t be shy about using your hands here to gently press and knead it into a smooth dough. You’ll get better control over the texture this way.

Step 3: Chilling the Dough for Perfect Slices

Roll the dough into a 12-inch log on a lightly floured surface, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial—it firms up the dough, making it easier to slice thin even rounds without cracking or sticking.

Step 4: Baking Beautifully Golden Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the chilled dough into thin rounds, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 12-14 minutes. Watch the edges carefully—once they start to turn a light golden brown, they’re done. You want them firm but not overbaked.

Step 5: Decorating with White Chocolate and Sprinkles

After the cookies cool completely, spread a thin layer of melted white chocolate or vanilla almond bark on top. Immediately sprinkle festive holiday sprinkles over the top before the chocolate sets—that way, they stick perfectly. Let them rest for about 15 minutes to allow everything to firm up.

Top Tip

Through many holiday baking sessions, I've found a few key tricks to getting these Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies just right every time. These simple tips will help you avoid common pitfalls and make baking smoother for you.

Softened Butter, Not Melted: Make sure your butter is soft enough to mash easily, but not melted — melted butter changes the texture and makes dough greasy.
Thin Slices Matter: Slice the dough thinly (about ¼ inch) to ensure delicate, crisp cookies instead of thick, heavy ones.
Sprinkle Quickly: After spreading melted chocolate, add your sprinkles while it’s still wet to get perfect adhesion.
Don’t Skip Chilling: Let the dough chill fully — it stops spreading and helps the cookies keep that lovely shape while baking.

How to Serve Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe

white chocolate shortbread - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with classic red and green sprinkles during Christmas because it adds a cheerful pop. But I’ve also used crushed peppermint candies for an extra festive crunch—perfect if you want a hint of mint alongside the sweet white chocolate.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or coffee. They also make a lovely sweet finish alongside a cheese board with soft cheeses and fresh fruit, balancing buttery and creamy flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I love arranging these cookies on tiered dessert stands with some fresh pine branches or cranberries nestled around for an elegant look. Wrapping them up in cello bags tied with festive ribbon also makes a thoughtful homemade gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layering parchment paper between batches to keep them from sticking. They stay fresh and tender for about a week, though they usually disappear faster!

Freezing

You can freeze baked cookies for up to three months. I recommend freezing them plain and then decorating with melted white chocolate and sprinkles after thawing to keep that fresh, glossy topping.

Reheating

I usually don’t reheat these cookies because they’re best served at room temperature, but if you want your white chocolate to go glossy again, a few seconds in a warm oven (about 200°F) will soften it enough to refresh the shine.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?

Yes, you can substitute vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste, but the flavor won’t be as intense or have those lovely vanilla specks. For best flavor, use a whole vanilla bean if you don’t have the paste.

How thin should I slice the dough?

Aim for about ¼ inch thick slices. Thinner slices produce crisp, delicate cookies, while thicker slices can end up more buttery and soft. Using a sharp knife helps keep the slices even.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling firms up the dough so the cookies don’t spread too much in the oven, helping them keep their shape and texture. It also makes slicing easier without the dough sticking or breaking.

Can I store these cookies without adding the white chocolate and sprinkles?

Absolutely! If you plan to freeze cookies or keep them longer, store them plain and add the melted white chocolate and sprinkles just before serving. This keeps them fresher and the decorations vibrant.

Final Thoughts

This Festive White Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking traditions. It’s so rewarding to watch these simple ingredients transform into something delicate, pretty, and irresistibly tasty. I genuinely hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—because homemade cookies like these really bring the joy of the season alive.