SPICED CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Spiced Christmas Shortbread Cookies are made with simple pantry staples like powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and warm holiday spices, creating rich, cozy flavor in every bite. Finished with a glossy powdered-sugar frosting, they’re an easy festive treat perfect for any Christmas cookie tray.

We love cookies around here, and this spiced shortbread recipe is a true holiday standout. It comes together quickly with minimal ingredients, delivers a soft and flavorful Christmas cookie, and the simple glaze makes decorating easy while letting you control the sweetness. These festive cookies are perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or a cozy weeknight bake, and they’re simple enough for new bakers or fun to make with the kids.

Why you’ll love these Christmas Shortbread Cookies

• Easy and beginner-friendly: Uses simple ingredients and straightforward steps that anyone can follow.
• Perfect holiday flavor: Warm spices and buttery shortbread create a festive cookie everyone loves.
• Great for decorating: The quick glaze adds shine, sweetness, and endless decorating possibilities.

Spiced Christmas Shortbread Cookie Ingredients

Powdered Sugar: Using ¾ cup powder sugar adds sweetness and keeps the shortbread soft and tender.

Butter: Add ¾ cup of softened butter to create a rich, buttery dough.

Extract: 1 tsp of vanilla extract gives the cookies a warm, flavorful base.

Flour: You need 1 ⅔ cups of all-purpose flour to build the dough structure (plus a little extra for rolling).

Salt: ½ teaspoon of salt enhances all the flavors.

Spices: Use 1 tsp each of cinnamon and allspice to give the cookies cozy holiday warmth.

For the Frosting you will need:

Powdered Sugar: You’ll need 2 cups powdered sugar to create a smooth, sweet frosting.

Water: Just 2 TBSP of water thins the frosting to the right consistency.

Corn Syrup: Use 2 TBSP of light corn syrup to give the glaze a glossy finish.

Tips for making Frosted Shortbread Cookies

Full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips for an easy cookie baking process!

1. Soften the butter fully — Soft, room-temperature butter blends smoothly with the powdered sugar and helps the dough come together without crumbling.
2. Chill the dough for at least 2 hours — This helps the shortbread hold its shape, prevents spreading, and makes it easier to cut clean cookie shapes.
3. Adjust the glaze slowly — Add water a few drops at a time until it reaches a smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency so it stays shiny and sets nicely.

How do you store Christmas shortbread cookies?

If frosted, you’ll want your cookies to set completely before trying to store so that they are less likely to stick together. Simply place the cookies in a large airtight container and place the cookies in layers with wax paper or parchment paper between each. They will keep this way for 3-5 days.

Can I freeze these cut out shortbread cookies?

Absolutely. You can freeze the unbaked dough or freeze the baked cookies (without glaze) for up to 2–3 months. Add the glaze after thawing for the best texture and shine.

Why do these shortbread cookies not have cornstarch?

Many shortbread recipes use cornstarch, but this version uses powdered sugar for a reason. Powdered sugar adds sweetness and also contains cornstarch, giving the dough the same tender texture without needing an extra ingredient. It keeps the recipe simple while creating a perfectly smooth, no-fuss dough.

Do I have to chill my shortbread dough?

Yes, please don’t skip this step! Shortbread has so few ingredients that keeping the dough cold is essential. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape, stay thick, and bake up perfectly tender. If the dough warms up, the butter softens too much and the cookies can spread or melt in the oven.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be made 1–2 days in advance. Keep it tightly wrapped in the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling if it feels too firm.

Why are my shortbread cookies tough?

If you overwork your dough you could cause the flour in the dough to create some gluten responses which will lead to a tough cookie. Remember, we aren’t kneading dough here, so you can be much more gentle with the cookies. You want things to just come together.

Enjoy more of our favorite Christmas Cookie recipes here:

• Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups are festive sugar cookie cups filled with fudge, mini marshmallows, and sprinkles, complete with a candy cane handle. The perfect sweet treat to celebrate the holidays!
• These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are incredibly soft, thick, and packed with festive flavor. They’re an easy, crowd-pleasing treat that might just become your new favorite holiday dessert!
• Mint Christmas Cookies are dipped in chocolate and covered in festive holiday sprinkles. Perfectly green and festive, they’re ideal for cookie exchanges or holiday gift plates!
• Our recipe for Peppermint Fudge Sugar Cookies combine soft, buttery sugar cookies with chocolate peppermint fudge and crushed candy canes. A festive, indulgent treat that’s perfect for Christmas!
• Ginger Molasses Cookies are packed with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and fresh ginger. Rolled in turbinado sugar, they have a rich molasses flavor with a perfectly crisp exterior.

Spiced Christmas Shortbread Cookies are buttery and flavorful, made with cinnamon and allspice and finished with a simple icing. Perfect for holiday baking with rich texture and festive taste!