Indulge in the rich, buttery, and perfectly chocolatey delight of these Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies, infused with just a hint of warming cinnamon. These festive treats are destined to become a cherished part of your holiday baking traditions!
Unwrap the Joy: Our Favorite Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies
As the holiday season draws near, the scent of freshly baked cookies is undoubtedly one of its most comforting and evocative hallmarks. It’s a time for warmth, joy, and creating beautiful memories in the kitchen. If your cookie platters are already overflowing, I sincerely hope you’ve saved just a little room for something truly special. This year, we’re thrilled to share a recipe that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the holidays: our exquisite Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies. These aren’t just any cookies; they are a celebration of rich flavor, delightful texture, and festive charm, designed to make your holiday baking both effortless and unforgettable.
Baking for a Cause: The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap
The inspiration for these delightful chocolate shortbread cookies stemmed from a truly heartwarming event: the 5th Annual Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap. It was an honor and a joy to participate in this incredible initiative, especially knowing that every cookie baked and shared contributed to a greater cause – supporting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer. This annual event brings together hundreds of food bloggers from across the globe, uniting our passion for baking with a collective desire to make a difference. The swap was masterfully hosted by two wonderful fellow food bloggers, Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil and Julie of The Little Kitchen, whose dedication ensured its overwhelming success. We were also incredibly grateful for the support of this year’s brand partners: Dixie Crystals, Land O Lakes, and OXO, who generously matched all donations dollar-for-dollar. Managing a holiday cookie swap for close to 500 food bloggers and raising over $7000 is no small feat! A huge round of applause and heartfelt thanks go out to Lindsay and Julie for their tireless efforts in making this event such a resounding success and for inspiring so much generosity through delicious baking. This recipe is a direct result of that wonderful, charitable gathering.
Why These Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are a Holiday Must-Have
These Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies hold a very special place in my heart, and I have a feeling they’ll soon become a new favorite in your home too. There are three undeniable reasons why they stand out as the ultimate holiday treat. Firstly, they are classic shortbread – a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookie that needs no introduction. Secondly, they elevate this beloved classic by infusing it with rich, decadent chocolate flavor. And if that weren’t enough, thirdly, they are generously dipped in a luxurious layer of white chocolate, adding an extra dimension of sweetness and visual appeal. It’s truly a win-win-win combination, my friends! As Santa himself might exclaim, “HO-HO-HO!” This trifecta of texture and taste creates an irresistible indulgence that’s perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply savoring during a quiet moment.
Beyond their incredible flavor, these cookies boast a rich, buttery foundation that gives way to a perfectly chocolatey crumb, subtly enhanced by a delicate hint of cinnamon. This aromatic spice beautifully complements the deep cocoa, creating a flavor profile that is both familiar and excitingly festive. At our house, the holidays simply wouldn’t be complete without a batch (or two!) of these special cookies ready for munching. I understand that cutout cookies often require a little more effort and patience than drop cookies, but the magical transformation of simple dough into charming, festive shapes adorned with colorful sprinkles truly spells “Holiday” with a capital H. The joy they bring, the memories they create, and their undeniable visual appeal make every moment spent crafting them absolutely worthwhile. Their elegant appearance and rich taste make them ideal for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or a delightful addition to your Christmas morning coffee.
Tips for Perfect Cutout Cookies
Achieving flawless cutout cookies is simpler than you might think with a few key techniques. Start with cold butter, as specified in the recipe, and ensure your dough is well-chilled before rolling. This prevents the dough from becoming too sticky and helps the cookies maintain their shape during baking. When rolling, use a lightly floured surface or, for less mess, roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll to an even ¼-inch thickness to ensure consistent baking. Don’t twist your cookie cutters; press down firmly and lift straight up for clean edges. If the dough becomes too warm or soft while working, simply pop it back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. This small step makes a big difference in preventing misshapen cookies and ensuring a tender, delicate crumb.
Decorating Your Holiday Masterpieces
The fun truly begins when it’s time to decorate! Dipping these chocolate shortbread cookies in melted white chocolate not only adds a beautiful contrast but also an extra layer of sweetness. For best results, ensure your cookies are completely cooled before dipping; otherwise, the chocolate might melt off. Once dipped, immediately adorn them with nonpareils, festive sprinkles, or even a delicate drizzle of contrasting dark chocolate for an extra artistic touch. Let your imagination run wild with colors and patterns to create a unique and personalized batch of holiday cookies. This is also a fantastic activity for kids, allowing them to express their creativity and contribute to the holiday magic in the kitchen.
Sharing the Festive Spirit
These Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies are more than just a dessert; they are edible expressions of warmth and care. Pack them in decorative tins or cellophane bags with ribbons for thoughtful homemade gifts that friends, family, and neighbors will adore. They’re also perfect for cookie exchanges, adding a touch of elegance and irresistible flavor to any selection. Imagine enjoying these rich, buttery cookies with a steaming mug of hot cocoa by the fireplace, or serving them at your holiday party as a delightful sweet finish. No matter how you choose to enjoy or share them, these cookies are guaranteed to spread cheer and create cherished memories throughout the festive season.
Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies
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These rich, buttery chocolate shortbread cookies are a dream come true for holiday baking. With a perfect balance of deep cocoa flavor and a subtle hint of cinnamon, they’re not just delicious but also incredibly festive. Dipped in white chocolate and adorned with sprinkles, they make for a stunning addition to any holiday cookie platter or a thoughtful homemade gift. Get ready to bake some holiday magic!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz white chocolate, chopped and melted (Ghirardelli Premium white chocolate baking bars recommended)
- Nonpareils or sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the all-purpose flour, Dutch process cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Mix on low speed until well combined.
- Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Continue mixing on low speed until the dough comes together and forms a cohesive ball. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the cookies tough.
- Divide the dough into three equal portions. Lightly flatten each portion into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This chilling step is crucial for easy rolling and preventing sticky dough.
- On a lightly floured surface (or between two sheets of parchment paper for less mess), roll out one portion of chilled dough to an even ¼-inch thickness. Keep the remaining dough chilled while you work.
- Using your cookie cutters of choice (stars, trees, snowflakes, or gingerbread shapes are perfect for holidays!), cut out shapes from the rolled dough. Carefully transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch between each cookie.
- Gather any dough scraps, gently press them back together, and reroll once or twice. If the dough becomes too soft, chill it again briefly before cutting more shapes. Avoid overworking the dough to maintain its tender texture.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies are firm. Shortbread cookies do not brown significantly, so watch carefully to avoid overbaking, which can result in dry cookies.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. They are delicate when warm.
- Repeat the rolling, cutting, and baking process with the remaining chilled dough portions until all cookies are baked.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare your white chocolate dip. Place the chopped white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Alternatively, use a double boiler method for a more controlled melt.
- Dip the top half of each completely cooled chocolate shortbread cookie into the melted white chocolate. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off for a clean finish. Immediately transfer the dipped cookies to parchment paper.
- While the white chocolate is still wet, generously sprinkle the tops with nonpareils or sprinkles of your choice. This adds a beautiful festive touch and a pop of color!
- Let the decorated cookies set for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until the white chocolate is completely firm. You can speed up this process by placing them in the refrigerator for a short period, about 10-15 minutes.
- Store your delightful Chocolate Shortbread Holiday Cutout Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They also freeze beautifully for longer storage, ensuring you always have a holiday treat on hand!