Looking for an original idea for homemade Christmas gifts? Two-tone shortbread cookies are the perfect solution! Crumbly, eye-catching, and easy to make, these treats are great for surprising friends and family with a sweet and personalized thought. With their mix of vanilla and cocoa, they win over at the first bite and are beautiful to look at, perfect for packaging in elegant boxes or transparent bags.
Making homemade cookies for Christmas is an activity that smells like holidays, brings warmth, and fills the kitchen with all the magic of this time of year. These two-tone cookies are also ideal to serve during festive teas or as an accompaniment to a coffee or hot chocolate. Find out how to make them with my easy and quick recipe, with tricks and tips for impeccable shortbread.
Arm yourself with cookie cutters, unleash your creativity, and create unique and irresistible cookies.
Also check out these cookies:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 45Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups butter
- 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 packet vanillin (or vanilla extract)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups butter
- 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 egg
- 1 packet vanillin (or vanilla extract)
- as needed colored sprinkles (optional)
Tools
- Stand Mixer
- Cookie Cutters Christmas Cookie Cutters
- Cookie Cutters Reindeer and Santa Claus Cookie Cutters
Steps
Recipe for Perfect Shortbread Cookies: A Guaranteed Success!
To achieve a perfect shortbread, it is essential to combine all ingredients carefully. Use cold butter from the fridge and room temperature eggs, a little trick that will make a difference in the texture of your shortbread!
Start by combining flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanillin.Work quickly to form a smooth and homogeneous dough. Avoid warming it too much with your hands, so as not to compromise the crumbliness of your cookies.
Once the ingredients are combined, I recommend wrapping the dough in plastic wrap and letting it rest in the fridge for at least an hour. This step is essential for making the shortbread easier to roll out and ensuring the right texture for your cookies.
After resting, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. Use a rolling pin to roll it out evenly. At this point, use some cookie cutters to give the shape you prefer. You can choose between classic or more creative shapes, depending on your imagination.
Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Each oven is different, so check the baking to achieve the perfect result.Once ready, let the cookies cool on a rack before enjoying them. If you want to gift them, package them elegantly and personally!
Tips, Storage
Tips
To achieve perfect two-tone cookies, work the shortbread quickly to avoid overheating it. Use a floured work surface and rolling pin to prevent it from sticking during rolling.
You can personalize the cookies by adding a hint of aroma, such as a pinch of cinnamon, orange zest, or a few drops of vanilla essence. And if you want to make them even more delicious, you can decorate them with colorful sprinkles or dip half in melted chocolate once cooled!
Storage
Two-tone shortbread cookies keep in a tin box or airtight container for about 7-10 days, maintaining all their crunchiness. If you want to prepare them in advance, you can freeze the dough wrapped in plastic wrap: just let it thaw in the fridge overnight before using it.
