Christmas Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

These delicate Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies are the ultimate holiday treat that combines buttery, tender shortbread with creamy festive filling. If you are searching for Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies that melt in your mouth and bring festive color to your dessert table, this is the perfect recipe to try. Prep takes just 25 minutes, with a bake time of 30 to 45 minutes, making this an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned bakers looking for showstopping results with minimal effort.

I first prepared these Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies for a lively neighborhood cookie exchange about five years ago. The buttery cookies were a standout, requested every season since, thanks to their delicate texture and subtle sweetness that set them apart from more sugar loaded treats. Over time, I’ve experimented with variations, but I always come back to this original, crowd pleasing combination that everyone secretly wants in their holiday line up.

Gather Your Ingredients

• All purpose flour: Provides the essential structure for your shortbread cookies; opt for a low protein flour for a softer, more tender result, but you can use standard flour if needed
• Unsalted butter at room temperature: The foundation of shortbread’s flavor and texture, so use high quality butter if possible; salted butter can work with a slight adjustment to salt elsewhere in recipes
• Heavy cream: Gives a uniquely melt in your mouth texture characteristic to these shortbread cookies; can substitute full fat coconut cream for a dairy free option
• Granulated sugar: Used exclusively for coating, this adds a crisp, sweet edge and subtle crunch; superfine or sanding sugar can also be used for a different finish
• Butter (softened for filling): Creates a smooth, spreadable base for the festive cream filling; use the best butter you can for the best flavor and texture
• Powdered sugar: Gives the filling its silky, creamy texture; avoid regular sugar to prevent graininess in your finished cookies
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the filling, enhancing the classic shortbread experience; pure vanilla is preferred but imitation will work in a pinch
• Heavy cream (for the filling): Ensures the filling is spreadable and stable for piping in between cookies; substitute with milk for a lighter filling if desired

How to Make Christmas Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

Prepare the Shortbread Dough:

Start by combining 2 cups of all purpose flour with 1 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature in a large bowl. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut in the butter until the mixture looks coarse, dry, and sandy. This process creates little pockets of butter which give the cookies their tender, flaky texture after baking. Take care not to overwork the dough at this stage.

Add the Cream and Chill:

Pour 1/3 cup heavy cream into the flour mixture and gently mix until the dough just comes together. It may seem dry initially but continue mixing until it forms a cohesive ball. Shape into a disk, wrap tightly, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling time is vital as it helps relax gluten and firm the butter for cleanly shaped cookies after baking.

Roll and Cut the Cookies:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 1 and one half inch round cookie cutter, carefully cut circles, working quickly to keep the dough cold. Gather scraps and re roll as needed, minimizing over handling.

Sugar Coating:

Pour granulated sugar into a small bowl. Coat each cookie circle thoroughly on both sides. Lightly brush edges with water before coating for better sugar adhesion and visual sparkle. This step replaces adding sugar to the dough itself and delivers all the necessary sweetness and crunch.

Arrange and Bake:

Place cookies on the prepared sheets about three quarters of an inch apart, as these will not spread much during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, watching closely for just barely golden edges. Allow to cool fully on the baking sheets to retain their delicate texture before filling.

Prepare the Filling:

Beat 1/3 cup softened butter with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 and one half teaspoons vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. Gradually add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream and mix until light and fluffy. The filling should hold its shape when piped but be soft enough for gentle spreading between cookies.

Color the Filling:

Divide the filling into two portions. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other, stirring until vibrant colors are achieved. Start with a drop at a time to control intensity and avoid making the filling too runny.

Assemble the Sandwich Cookies:

Transfer each colored filling portion to separate piping bags or zip lock bags with a corner snipped. Pipe a generous dollop on the flat side of half the cookies and top with the remaining rounds, flat side down. Gently press to nearly the cookie's edge, without overflowing the filling.

Allow to Set:

Let the assembled cookies rest for about 30 minutes. This brief wait gives the filling time to firm up and flavors a chance to meld, making each bite more cohesive and satisfying.

Serve and Enjoy:

Arrange the finished Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies on a festive platter, alternating the red and green filled ones for best visual effect. The contrast between pale shortbread and vibrant fillings will instantly brighten your holiday table and delight your guests.

The first time I made these cookies, I discovered that the magic truly lies in their simplicity. Traditional Scottish shortbread often uses just flour, butter, and sugar, but adding cream in this recipe elevates the texture to irresistibly soft and rich. My family now looks forward to these rich yet subtle cookies, which have become the centerpiece of our holiday celebrations and cookie plates every year.

Smart Swaps and Variations

This Christmas shortbread sandwich cookie recipe is endlessly adaptable for different flavors, shapes, or themes, letting you personalize your treats for any occasion. For a classic twist, try swapping vanilla extract for almond, peppermint, or orange extract to instantly change the flavor profile. Citrus zest added to the dough creates a bright note, while cutting cookies with various holiday shapes allows you to customize for Christmas, Hanukkah, or birthdays. For filling, chocolate ganache, jam, or dulce de leche are delicious alternatives to the vanilla cream, and rolling filled cookie edges in crushed nuts or festive sprinkles gives extra crunch and appeal.

How to Store and Reheat Christmas Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

To keep your Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies fresh, store the assembled sandwich cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, separating layers with parchment to avoid sticking. If you plan to make ahead, keep the unfilled cookies in an airtight tin or container for up to two weeks, then fill before serving for best texture. For longer term storage, freeze the assembled cookies in a freezer safe container for up to three months, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and bring to room temperature before serving for optimal texture and flavor.

What to Serve with Christmas Shortbread Sandwich Cookies

These elegant cookies pair perfectly with hot beverages like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and work wonderfully as part of a larger holiday cookie platter. Their subtle, not too sweet flavor makes them ideal alongside more decadent treats such as chocolate dipped biscotti or spicy gingerbread for textural variety. For festive gatherings, consider serving them with dessert wine like port, or packaging in decorative tins as gifts for neighbors and friends to make the season extra bright.

Nutritional Benefits

While Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies are a holiday indulgence, they use simple, recognizable ingredients with no artificial preservatives or additives. Their high butter and cream content helps provide satiety, which can actually curb mindless snacking often associated with sweeter, store bought varieties. Since they have less sugar than most traditional frosted cookies, you can enjoy their buttery richness as part of a balanced festive treat, and the recipe easily adapts to gluten free diets for guests with restrictions.

Recipe Success Tips

Sometimes shortbread dough can be tricky, but these tips help you prevent and troubleshoot typical issues. If your dough is crumbly or dry and refuses to come together, gradually add a few teaspoons of heavy cream until it forms a smooth ball. If it softens too much during rolling, chill for an additional 10 to 15 minutes before cutting. Make sure your cookies have cooled fully before assembling with filling or else the filling may melt out. Working in a cool kitchen also prevents over softening of butter, which is essential for best texture and consistent sandwich cookies every time.

These Christmas shortbread sandwich cookies have become a cherished tradition in my family, always met with delight at every holiday table. I hope this recipe brings a festive sparkle and irresistible melt in your mouth texture to your celebrations this season, and encourages you to create new traditions in your home as well.

Common Questions About This Recipe

→ How do I ensure the shortbread dough is the right consistency?

The dough should feel smooth and hold together when pressed. Mixing butter into flour creates a crumbly texture that comes together after adding heavy cream.

→ Why is there no sugar in the dough?

Granulated sugar coats the rounds before baking, giving sweetness and a crisp exterior while keeping the dough tender and buttery.

→ Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, shape the dough into a disk and chill it for up to 24 hours before rolling and cutting. This also enhances the texture.

→ How do I get vibrant red and green filling?

Divide the vanilla cream filling and add a few drops of quality food coloring to each portion, mixing until evenly tinted.

→ What tips help keep the cookies tender?

Handle the dough gently and avoid overworking. Chill thoroughly and roll to an even thickness for best results.

→ How should I store shortbread sandwich cookies?

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness.