Why You’ll Love Spiced Christmas Shortbread Recipe Recipe
These cookies are simple to make with basic pantry ingredients.
The buttery shortbread texture is crisp, tender, and melts in your mouth.
The warm spice coating gives them a festive holiday flavor.
They are perfect for gifting, holiday dessert platters, or cookie exchanges.
The recipe makes a large batch, ideal for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
115 g unsalted butter, softened
50 g caster sugar, superfine sugar
130 g plain flour, all-purpose flour
40 g rice flour
2 tablespoons caster sugar, superfine sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon allspice
Pinch ground nutmeg
Pinch ground ginger
½ teaspoon dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Directions
Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan forced. Line two cookie trays with baking paper.
Beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Sift together the plain flour and rice flour. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until incorporated and the dough begins to clump together.
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently bring it together into a ball. Roll the dough out to about 5mm to 6mm thick.
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them onto the prepared baking trays. Re-roll any scraps and continue cutting out cookies.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
While the cookies bake, combine the caster sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and dark brown sugar in a bowl. Rub the mixture between your fingers to evenly distribute the spices.
Brush the warm cookies lightly with melted butter, then flip them into the spice mixture to coat.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving or storing.
Servings and timing
Servings: 40 cookies
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Variations
Add orange zest to the dough for a bright citrus flavor.
Dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate for an extra festive touch.
Use star, snowflake, or tree-shaped cookie cutters for holiday presentation.
Replace allspice with cloves for a slightly deeper spice flavor.
Sprinkle a little extra cinnamon sugar over the cookies before serving.
Add finely chopped toasted pecans or almonds to the dough for extra texture.
Storage/Reheating
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Layer parchment paper between the cookies to help keep them crisp.
These cookies can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Shortbread is best enjoyed at room temperature, so reheating is usually unnecessary.
FAQs
Why is rice flour used in shortbread?
Rice flour helps create the classic crisp and crumbly texture that makes shortbread unique.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. The dough can be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes. Freeze the dough tightly wrapped for up to 2 months and thaw before rolling out.
What type of sugar is caster sugar?
Caster sugar is a very fine sugar that dissolves quickly and creates a smooth texture in baked goods.
Can I use regular flour only?
Yes, but the texture may be slightly less crisp without the rice flour.
Why did my shortbread spread too much?
This can happen if the butter was too warm or the dough was not chilled enough before baking.
Can I make these cookies gluten free?
Yes. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour.
How do I keep shortbread crisp?
Store the cookies in an airtight container once fully cooled.
Can I decorate these cookies?
Yes. You can drizzle them with chocolate or add festive sprinkles after coating them in spices.
Are these cookies very sweet?
No. They have a lightly sweet buttery flavor balanced by warm holiday spices.
Conclusion
These spiced Christmas shortbread cookies are buttery, delicate, and filled with cozy holiday flavor. The warm spice coating makes them extra festive, while the crisp shortbread texture keeps them irresistibly delicious. Perfect for holiday baking, gifting, or enjoying with a warm drink, this recipe is sure to become a seasonal favorite.
