Description
These festive spiced Christmas shortbread cookies are buttery, crisp, and delicately coated in a warm blend of cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
- 115 g unsalted butter, softened (1 stick / 1/2 cup / 4 oz)
- 50 g caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 130 g plain flour (all-purpose flour)
- 40 g rice flour
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar (superfine sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- Pinch ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / 160C fan forced. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.
- Beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Sift together the plain flour and rice flour. Add to the butter mixture and mix until combined and the dough begins to clump together.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form into a ball. Roll out to about 5–6 mm thick.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them carefully to the prepared baking trays. Re-roll scraps as needed.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Meanwhile, combine the caster sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and dark brown sugar in a shallow bowl, rubbing together with your fingers to evenly distribute the spices.
- Brush the warm cookies lightly with melted butter, then gently press or flip them into the spice mixture to coat.
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Rice flour gives the shortbread its delicate, crumbly texture.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- You can use festive cookie cutters for a holiday-themed presentation.
- For extra flavor, add a small pinch of cloves to the spice mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 55 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
