HOLIDAY STAR COOKIES

Holiday Star Cookies made with simple, buttery shortbread ingredients and baked into the most magical, melt-in-your-mouth treats! Dipped in white chocolate and showered in festive sprinkles, they’re the sparkly holiday cookie everyone reaches for first.

Be sure to check out our updated collection of BEST CHRISTMAS COOKIE RECIPES here!

Holiday Christmas Cookies Ingredients

Butter: 1 cup butter, softened, is the foundation for creating a rich, tender cookie crumb.

Sugar: Adding sugar contributes to slight crispness on the cookie edges.

Extract: 2 tsp vanilla extract adds subtle aroma and balances sweetness.

Flour: Use flour for the structural base of this cookie dough.

Baking powder: Leaven the cookies with baking powder so they puff up as they bake.

Salt: Balance the sweetness by adding ¼ tsp salt.

Chocolate: 1 ½ cups white melting chocolate forms a smooth, glossy coating that adheres well to the cookie surface.

Sprinkles: Add texture and visual appeal with festive sprinkles- white jimmies, clear and gold sugar sprinkles.

Tips for making perfect Shortbread Cookies

• Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and help the cookies slide off perfectly.
• Take 2–3 minutes to cream the butter and sugars well—it creates lighter, more tender cookies.
• Use softened (room-temperature) butter only; melted butter will completely change the texture and ruin the dough.
• Shortbread dough is naturally sticky, so roll it between parchment sheets and resist adding extra flour, or the cookies will turn dry and crumbly.

What’s the best way to store holiday cookies to keep them fresh?

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness for up to a week.

You can freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature before decorating or serving.

How can you ensure cookies maintain their shape while baking?

Keep the dough chilled before rolling out. Rolling between parchment paper helps maintain even thickness.

Bake at a lower temperature, like 300°F, to prevent spreading. Avoid overworking the dough, which can cause softness and loss of shape.

What type of butter works best for making Holiday Star Cookies?

Use unsalted, softened butter at room temperature. This allows for better control over the overall saltiness and consistency. High-quality butter improves flavor and texture, making your cookies buttery and tender.

Can you substitute white melting chocolate with other types of chocolate?

Yes, you can use milk or dark melting chocolate if you prefer. Keep in mind these may alter the sweetness and appearance. You may need to adjust the melting time and temperature slightly for different chocolate varieties.

What other cookie cutters shapes are popular for holiday baking?

Classic shapes include Christmas trees, snowflakes, and gingerbread men. Candy canes and bells are also common. These shapes complement star cookies and add variety to your holiday baking trays.

Try more of our favorite Christmas Cookies here:

• These Frosted Peppermint Cookies come together with simple ingredients but deliver big holiday flavor, thanks to sweet peppermint candy and a fluffy peppermint-vanilla buttercream. They’re festive, fun, and impossible to resist!
• Made with soft sugar cookie cups, fudgy centers, mini marshmallows, and a candy cane handle, these Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are everything cozy and Christmassy in one bite. They’re the perfect holiday cookies to wow a crowd!
• With tangy orange flavor baked right into the dough and a rich chocolate finish, these Chocolate Orange Slice Cookies bring a playful twist to a nostalgic treat. They’re eye-catching, delicious, and guaranteed to stand out on any holiday cookie tray.
• Our recipe for Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are loaded with mint extract, chocolate chips, and creamy pudding mix for the ultimate mint-chip flavor. If you love mint chip ice cream, this cookie is your dream dessert!
• Soft, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread meets a bright peppermint-vanilla glaze in these festive Peppermint Vanilla Shortbread Cookies. A simple, delicious treat for the holidays!

Holiday Star Cookies start with simple, buttery shortbread and bake into melt-in-your-mouth treats. Dipped in white chocolate and covered in festive sprinkles, they’re the sparkling stars of any holiday cookie tray.