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    Home » Recipes » Cookies and Squares

    Whipped Shortbread Cookies

    Published: Dec 17, 2018 Modified: September 3, 2021 by Nina

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    Shortbread cookies with sprinkles on top, sit on a white plate.

    These whipped shortbread cookies are light, buttery, and melt in your mouth. They will certainly be a crowd pleaser at your holiday table!

    Cookies with red and green sprinkles on top, sit on a white plate.
    Jump straight to the recipe!
    • 🎄A perfect holiday cookie
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • ✔️Expert Tips
    • 💭Recipe FAQs
    • 📎Related recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    🎄A perfect holiday cookie

    Whipped shortbread cookies are similar to shortbread - they have the same ingredients. However, when making whipped shortbread, the butter and icing sugar are beat together for much longer. This creates a cookie that is lighter and more delicate.

    Whipped shortbread can be piped out, or just rolled into balls like I have done here. Flatten them lightly with a fork, and decorate them with some festive sprinkles.

    If you are looking for more holiday cookies, try my spiced gingerbread cookies, chewy chocolate gingerbread cookies, or white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

    🥘Ingredients

    All the ingredients needed to make these cookies.

    📝Ingredient notes

    • Salted butter - If you use unsalted butter, add ¾ teaspoon salt.
    • Sprinkles - You can leave out the sprinkles if you want. Decorate with chocolate, or just leave them plain.

    🔪Instructions

    Cookie dough in an stainless steel bowl.

    Whisk flour and cornstarch together in a medium bowl, and set aside. Place butter, icing sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.

    Mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on parchment lined cookie sheets. Press the balls down lightly with a fork and decorate with sprinkles, if you choose.

    Place the cookie sheets in the refrigerator so they can firm up again. Then bake in a 325°F oven for 15 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly golden.

    ✔️Expert Tips

    • Use real butter!
    • Chill the cookies before baking them. The butter will firm up and the cookies won't spread out when baking.
    • Beat the butter and icing sugar for a solid 5 minutes. The ingredients need to be whipped really well to make a light airy cookie.
    • Only bake 1 cookie sheet at a time. If you bake with 1 cookie sheet on the middle rack, and 1 on the lower rack, the cookies on the bottom can get dark on the bottom.

    💭Recipe FAQs

    How do I store these cookies?

    These can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week. Or they can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Can I freeze these?

    You can freeze cookie dough for up to 2 months. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag or container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
    Unbaked cookie balls can be frozen. Freeze the balls on a cookie sheet, and then store them in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
    Baked cookies can be frozen in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

    What does cornstarch do to shortbread cookies?

    Cornstarch helps make a light and delicate texture in the cookies.

    Cookies with red and green sprinkles on top, sit on a white plate.

    📎Related recipes

    • Raspberry Truffle Brownies
    • Christmas Rice Krispie Squares
    • Pecan Pie Brownies
    • Snappy Turtle Cookies

    Let's Bake Together!

    Step-by-step instructions are all written in my recipe below. If you liked it, please rate me 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!

    If you tried this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram. You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest.

    📋 Recipe

    lots of cookies wit red and green sprinkles on top, sit on a white plate.

    Whipped Shortbread Cookies

    Nina
    These whipped shortbread cookies are light, buttery, and melt in your mouth. They will certainly be a crowd pleaser at your holiday table!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine North American
    Servings 24
    Calories 124 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup salted butter at room temperature
    • ¾ cup icing sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • sprinkles (jimmies, no pareils, or sanding sugar)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
    • Whisk flour and cornstarch together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
    • Place the butter, icing sugar and vanilla extract in a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until light and fluffy.
    • Mix the dry ingredients in until just combined. Roll dough into 1 inch round balls. Place them 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. Use a fork to lightly flatten the dough. Decorate with sprinkles.
    • Place baking sheets into the refrigerator for 10 minutes to firm cookies.
    • Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool and store in airtight container for 1 week.

    Notes

    • Use real butter!
    • Chill the cookies before baking them. The butter will firm up and the cookies won't spread out when baking.
    • Beat the butter and icing sugar for a solid 5 minutes. The ingredients need to be whipped really well to make a light airy cookie.
    • Only bake 1 cookie sheet at a time. If you bake with 1 cookie sheet on the middle rack, and 1 on the lower rack, the cookies on the bottom can get dark on the bottom.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 69mgPotassium: 14mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 240IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Follow me on Instagram!Mention @ninakneadstobake or tag #ninakneadstobake!

    More Cookies & Squares Recipes

    • Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge
    • Ladyfingers (Savoiardi)
    • Bakery Style White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
    • Pumpkin Spice Scones

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    Hi, I'm Nina! I am a self-taught baker and have a love for baking and trying new techniques. Here you will find easy step-by-step sweet and savoury recipes, with lots of tips.

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