Vanilla Shortbread Cookies {with Sprinkles}

Vanilla Shortbread Cookies {with Sprinkles}

Simple. Rich. Buttery. These classic Vanilla Shortbread Cookies melt in your mouth and are the perfect sweet and colourful addition to any holiday cookie box!

Vanilla Shortbread Cookies stacked with a bite out of one

Shortbread cookies are one of my favourite cookies to make over the holidays! Combining a tried and trusted buttery shortbread dough with rich vanilla flavour and colourful sprinkles creates an elegant, delicately sweet cookie that will bring sparkle to any holiday celebration! These Vanilla Shortbread Cookies only require 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to prepare! They are so easy to make, perfectly buttery, and melt in your mouth with every bite!

Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with sprinkles piled on a plate

To make these Vanilla shortbread cookies you will need:

  • Unsalted Butter
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Flour
  • Vanilla Bean Paste (or vanilla extract)
  • Sprinkles
  • Salt

Let’s make some Classic Vanilla Shortbread Cookies!

Step 1 – Preparing the dough

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed until soft and creamy (~1 min). Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar to the butter.

butter in stand mixer
butter mixed in stand mixer
powdered sugar being added to stand mixer with mixed butter

Mix until mixture appears evenly combined. Add the vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract) and mix briefly to incorporate.

mixed butter and powdered sugar in stand mixer
vanilla paste being added to butter and sugar mixture

Slowly add the flour and salt until the dough is evenly mixed. The dough will resembles a moist, soft dough.

flour being added to butter, sugar mixture in a stand mixer
Vanilla Shortbread Cookies batter in stand mixer

Using clean hands, divide dough into 2 parts and place onto flat surface. Shape dough into 2 square sided, logs (~10″ long log that is ~2″ in in diameter)

Vanilla Shortbread Cookies batter separated into two balls
Vanilla Shortbread Cookies formed into two logs

Roll each of the logs in non pariel (colourful round ball) sprinkles until both logs are well coated.

Vanilla Shortbread Cookie batter with sprinkles

Wrap each individual log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (1 h minimum).

Vanilla Shortbread Cookie batter with sprinkles wrapped in plastic for refridgeration

Step 3 – Baking

Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.

Remove the dough logs from the fridge and cut each into 1″ slices.

Vanilla Shortbread Cookie batter with sprinkles being cut

Arrange onto baking sheets and bake for ~15 mins or until slightly golden on the surface and firm to the touch.

Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with sprinkles freshly baked on baking sheet
Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with sprinkles close up

Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

top down view of Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with sprinkles on a plate
two Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with sprinkles
Vanilla Shortbread Cookies with sprinkles stacked with a bite out of the top cookie

Want more delicious holiday cookies?!

Check out my:

Classic Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

Rich. Soft. Buttery. These classic Vanilla Shortbread Cookies melt in your mouth and are the perfect sweet and colourful addition to any holiday cookie box!
5 from 7 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, European
Servings 15 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cup (340g) Unsalted Butter
  • 1 cup (120g) Powdered Sugar
  • 3 1/2 cup (420g) All-purpose Flour
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste (or vanilla extract)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup (80g) Sprinkles I used non-pareil (round ball) sprinkles but you can use your favourite small, colourful sprinkles!

Instructions
 

Step 1 – Preparing the dough

  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed until soft and creamy (1 min). Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar to the butter.
  • Mix until mixture appears evenly combined. Add the vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract) and mix briefly to incorporate.
  • Slowly add the flour and salt until the dough is evenly mixed. The dough will resembles a moist, soft dough.
  • Using clean hands, divide the dough into 2 parts and place onto a flat surface. Shape dough into 2, square sided, logs (~10" long log that is ~2" across)
  • Roll each of the logs in non pariel (colourful round ball) sprinkles until both logs are well coated.
  • Wrap each individual log in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours (1 h minimum).

Step 2 – Baking

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  • Remove dough logs from the fridge and cut each into 0.5" slices.
  • Arrange onto baking sheets and bake for ~12-15 mins or until slightly golden on the surface and firm to the touch.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the cookie sheet for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely!

Video

Notes

Sofia’s Tips:
 
  • This cookie dough can be made up to 4 days in advance!
  • Simply make the dough, and store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container until ready to use.
  • If using a convection oven, reduce the temperature by 25F. Cookies may bake 1-2 minutes quicker than the recipe calls for 
  • These cookies freeze really well! You can store them, well wrapped in the freezer (cling film/press and seal wrap + freezer bag) for up to 4 months.
  • Want to make these Cookies Gluten-Free? You should be able to easily replace the flour called for in this recipe with a 1:1 Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour substitute!
 
 
Have you tried this recipe!? I would love to know what you think! Leave a comment below! 🙂
Keyword 10 minute recipe, American Buttercream, brown sugar, holiday baking, melt in your mouth, shortbread, shortbread cookies, simple recipe, sprinkles
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2 thoughts on “Vanilla Shortbread Cookies {with Sprinkles}”

  • 5 stars
    followed the directions, my dough was extremely dry and crumbly. I had to add additional butter, also none of the sprinkles would stick to the log

    • Hi Samantha, How did you measure your flour? Sometimes this could happen because too much flour was added. I recommend spooning flour into your measuring cup and levelling off the top for the most accurate flour measure. If this doesn’t work, consider spending an extra minute beating your butter at the start to ensure it is nice and creamy before incorporating the dry ingredients. The dough should be slightly wet. Please let me know if you have any other problems! Happy Baking – Sofia

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