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Whipped Shortbread Cookies

With just 5 ingredients, these Whipped Shortbread Cookies will melt in your mouth. They’re light buttery shortbread cookies with a hint of almond and are perfect for adding to your holiday cookie trays.

whipped shortbread cookies image with text overlay

Shortbread cookies seem to have mixed feelings in my house. Some love them (me!) and others think they’re just a bit dry. I don’t know why they are naysayers because they devour my Raspberry Shortbread Cookies when I bake a batch. These Whipped Shortbread cookies fixed that issue with everyone! Such a light airy buttery cookie that I don’t even know why I have never made them this way before. Definitely not a dry cookie; and definitely a cookie for Christmas.

santa cookie plate filled with whipped shortbread cookies

Christmas Cookies Week

Whipped Shortbread Cookies are decorated with holiday nonpareils so they fit right in for this year’s #ChristmasCookies week. This week over 20 talented food bloggers are sharing so many delicious cookie recipes with you. We are bringing our A-Game of cookies!

Here’s what I am sharing this week

  • Monday – Chocolate Mint Pizzelles
  • Wednesday – Whipped Shortbread Cookies (that’s this recipe!)
  • Friday – Hot Chocolate Cookies
close up of whipped shortbread cookies
Such a delicious recipe for holiday cookies.

Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Confession time. I made this recipe 3 times before I came up with a winner. The first time, I believe my butter was too soft and even though the dough was chilled, the texture of the dough just wasn’t right. The second batch, well, let’s just say I failed to turn the oven down to the correct baking temperature. The third time was the charm! Perfection. I love how light and buttery they are and even prefer them over traditional shortbread cookies.

Whipped Shortbread cookies are rolled cookies versus cut-out or drop cookies. Rolling a small bit of dough into a ball is all that is needed. They only have 5 ingredients without the sprinkles. Those 5 ingredients are probably already in your pantry.

The main difference with this whipped shortbread cookie is that you will “whip” the ingredients for 5 minutes to allow more air into the dough giving a fluffy and lighter cookie.

Another difference in this cookie recipe over say, a chocolate chip one is that it will only make about 18 cookies. That is just the perfect amount to give as a holiday hostess gift or to bring to a cookie exchange.

whipped shortbread cookies with sprinkles
Soft buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookies

Why is Cornstarch in this Recipe for Shortbread?

Cornstarch in this recipe will keep the cookies tender and add a crunchy yet crumbly texture.

Why are Whipped Shortbread Cookies baked at a lower temperature?

The cookies are baked at a lower oven temperature to give them a softer texture and they do bake for a longer amount of time, 20- 22 minutes.

How do you know when Shortbread Cookies are Done?

The baked cookies will not change in color too much but the bottoms will be lightly golden brown.

Can you use a Cookie Press for this Recipe?

No, this recipe isn’t made for a cookie press.

Why did my Whipped Shortbread Dough Spread?

Most likely if your whipped shortbread cookies spread out and are flat, you didn’t add enough flour to the dough. Another reason, your butter may have been too soft and didn’t chill long enough (which was my problem with the first attempt).

Can I use another flavoring besides almond extract?

Yes, you can use another flavoring. Vanilla extract is delicious in this whipped shortbread cookie recipe. Orange or lemon do well in the cookies, too. Add in some mini chocolate chips with the vanilla extract.

baked whipped almond shortbread cookies for Christmas
Perfect addition to your holiday cookie tray

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (1 1/2 sticks), butter softened to room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
  • 1 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Christmas sprinkles or nonpareils
Ingredients for whipped shortbread cookies
Simple ingredients!

How to Make Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Step 1

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. You can use an electric hand mixer and a large bowl for this recipe and this step will take about 7 minutes. The color of the batter at this point will be light in color.

Step 2

Add in the almond extract and beat until combined.

Step 3

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour and cornstarch.

Step 4

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing after each addition.

Step 5

Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough for 1 – 2 hours.

whipped shortbread cookie dough in bowl

Step 6

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper of silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Step 7

Scoop dough and roll into one-inch balls. Place onto a prepared baking sheet, 1 – 2 inches apart. Gently press the tines of a fork into the dough ball, flattening slightly. If the dough sticks to the fork, dip fork into flour. Top each cookie with some sprinkles, if desired.

shortbread cookie dough ball with sprinkles ready to bake
Shortbread dough on prepared cookie sheet.

Step 8

Bake for 20 – 22 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly brown. The tops will not brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to wire racks to cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week. Can freeze cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

almond whipped shortbread cookies on wooden platter
These are the best shortbread cookies!
baked whipped almond shortbread cookies for Christmas
Make a batch of these whipped shortbread cookies for the holiday season.

Tips, Tricks, and FAQs

  • Be sure your butter is at room temperature when you start the recipe.
  • Using a stand mixer is ideal but a handheld electric mixer works well too.
  • Try using vanilla extract or orange in place of the almond extract.
  • Change up the sprinkles for whatever holiday you are baking the cookies for.
  • Use mini chocolate chips or mini M&Ms in the dough.
  • Make a thumbprint indention and use a bit of fruit jam to fill in the cookie before baking.
close up of whipped shortbread cookies
Melt in your mouth shortbread cookies

More Shortbread Cookie Recipes to Enjoy

baked whipped almond shortbread cookies for Christmas

Whipped Shortbread Cookies

With just 5 ingredients, these Whipped Shortbread Cookies will melt in your mouth. They're light buttery shortbread cookies with a hint of almond and are perfect for adding to your holiday cookie trays.
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Christmas Cookies, cookies, shortbread cookies, Whipped Shortbread
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 18 cookies

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract)
  • 1 ⅓ cups flour
  • 6 tablespoons cornstarch
  • Christmas nonpareils

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. You can use an electric hand mixer for this recipe and this step will take about 7 minutes. The color of the batter at this point will be light in color.
  • Add in the almond extract and beat until combined.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour and cornstarch.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing after each addition.
  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill dough for 1 – 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper of silicone baking mat. Set aside.
  • Scoop dough and roll into one-inch balls. Place onto a prepared baking sheet, 1 – 2 inches apart. Gently press the tines of a fork into the dough ball, flattening slightly. If the dough sticks to the fork, dip fork into flour. Top each cookie with some sprinkles, if desired.
  • Bake for 20 – 22 minutes, or until the bottoms of the cookies are lightly brown. The tops will not brown. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to a wire rack to cool completely. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week. Can freeze cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months

Notes

Be sure your butter is at room temperature when you start the recipe.
Try using vanilla extract or orange in place of the almond extract.
Change up the sprinkles for whatever holiday you are baking the cookies for.
Use mini chocolate chips or mini M&Ms in the dough.
Make a thumbprint indention and use a bit of fruit jam to fill in the cookie before baking.

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Tried this recipe?I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this one! I hope you try it, enjoy it, comment and rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
santa cookie plate filled with whipped shortbread cookies
The buttery flavor in the cookies is my favorite!

Here are more #ChristmasCookies from my Blogger Friends

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Enjoy!
5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. Melt in your mouth perfect cookie right here. Love them for the Holidays!

  2. 5 stars
    Easy to make, melt in your mouth and festive. These cookies are definitely going on my Holiday cookie tray this year.

  3. These sound amazing, Light, fluffy, melt in your mouth, delightful.

  4. I just finished a Christmas book where the setting was a cookie company that was famous for its shortbread. I need to make some of these and reread my favorite part while eating these cookies.

  5. 5 stars
    These whipped shortbread cookies are so delicious and melt in your mouth! I love the festive sprinkles especially for the holidays!

  6. Love how the sprinkles just settle into the little grooves! I love easy to make but still yummy recipes like this for the crazy holiday season!

  7. 5 stars
    I’ll bet these are like my “Melting Moments” which we’ve loved for ages. Your styling is beautiful!

  8. I love shortbread cookies and these look gorgeous. I wish I could grab a few from the screen. YUM!