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Funfetti Shortbread Bites

Published December 6, 2015. Updated November 28, 2023

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Funfetti Shortbread Bites – buttery shortbread is dotted with sprinkles, cut into tiny squares then baked until perfectly crisp and delicious.

Everyone loves these festive little bitesβ€”especially kids! Bring these to your next Christmas party and watch them disappear.

Christmas Shortbread Bites in a red tin

My Favorite Funfetti Shortbread Cookies!

These tiny little shortbread cookies have quickly become a favorite cookie recipe around here! My whole is crazy about these cookies.

They’re easy to make, they only require a few basic ingredients, and they are addictively delicious. You’ll love how pop-able they are!

Everything is better when it’s mini and these cookies are no exception.

What You Need To Make Funfetti Shortbread Cookie Bites

These fun Christmas cookies only require 5 ingredients:

  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • Almond Extract
  • All purpose flour
  • Colored Sprinkles

Not only are these some of the cutest cookies ever but they also taste amazing thanks to their buttery goodness and the delicious flavor the almond extract offers.

Christmas Shortbread Bites in a red cookie tin

The Perfect Christmas Gift

These would be so fun to make for your kids on Christmas or to gift to neighbors in a festive box or mug. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t love these cookies.

They are some of my favorite cookies I’ve ever made and I know I will make them time and time again. I already plan on making them again for my family Christmas party and I’m certain they’ll be a hit!

They are easier to make than they may appear, cutting them into long rows makes it a breeze and I love that the dough only requires a quick chilling thanks to the cold butter used in the recipe.

A close up of Shortbread Bites with Christmas sprinkles

Can I Freeze These Funfetti Shortbread Cookies?

These cookies freeze perfectly! I freeze them in resealable freezer bags then pop a handful into a container and put them in my kids school lunches. Or I even just sneak a few from the freezer and eat them cold!

They’ll freeze well for about 1 month.

Is there a Substitute for Almond Extract?

I highly recommend the almond extract for the tastiest flavor, but if there’s an allergy or if you are unable to find it you can use 1 tsp vanilla extract instead.

A close up of Christmas Shorbread Bites

Using Other Holiday Sprinkles

You can easily swap out the sprinkle color for any other color, a rainbow blend would be perfect for aΒ birthdayΒ or you could do pastels onΒ Easter, pink and red on valentines and so on.

You can even find the sprinkles in single colors at some craft stores, kitchen supply stores, or online, so you can make your own blend of colors.

Enjoy and happy holiday baking!

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4.35 from 114 votes
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Funfetti Shortbread Bites

Funfetti Shortbread Bites are a must try Christmas cookie! Buttery shortbread is dotted with sprinkles, cut into tiny squares then baked until perfect crisp and delicious. These are perfect for gifting and parties, people of all ages love them!
Servings: 335 Bites
Prep30 minutes
Cook12 minutes
Ready in: 42 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Butter a 13 by 9-inch baking dish and line with 2 sheets of parchment paper (one horizontally and one vertically. I also like to butter between parchment sheets so they stick) leaving a 1-inch over hang on all sides, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer cream together butter and sugar until well combined. Mix in almond extract.Β 
  • With mixer set on low speed slowly add in flour and mix until combined (it will take a while and will appear dry and sandy at first but it will start to come together, if it doesn't you can add a few teaspoons of milk).
  • Mix and fold in 2 1/2 Tbsp sprinkles. Press dough into an even layer in prepared pan (I did it with my hands first then used the bottom of a flat measuring cup to help smooth it out).Β 
  • Chill dough in refrigerator 20 - 30 minutes. Meanwhile preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Lift dough from pan using parchment overhang on all sides. Cut into 1/2-inch squares using a large sharp knife (it works best to just cut long rows). Sprinkle more sprinkles over the top if desired and gently press into dough.
  • Transfer about 1/3 of the cookies to an unbuttered baking sheet (also do not line pan with parchment or silicone liners) and scatter cookies out spacing cookies 1/2-inch apart.
  • Bake in preheated oven 8 - 12 minutes (keep remaining that aren't currently baking refrigerated). Repeat process with remaining bites, adding them to a cool baking sheet.
  • Cool completely then transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature.

Notes

  • *Unsalted butter will work great too. Simply whisk in 1/4 tsp salt with the flour before adding if using unsalted butter.
  • These cookies will freeze well for 1 month.Β 
  • Recipe source: inspired byΒ Land O Lakes
Nutrition Facts
Funfetti Shortbread Bites
Amount Per Serving
Calories 10
% Daily Value*
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 4mg0%
Potassium 1mg0%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Vitamin A 15IU0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: shortbread bites, Shortbread Cookies
Author: Jaclyn

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515 Comments

  • Anne

    Even with the comments above about crumbly dough and melting cookies I decided to try these and WOW I love them. The comments made me very careful with amount of flour (thank you for the gram weight – I did measure really specifically) and I let the mixer go a long time and it did come together. The pizza cutter worked great. Only thing I’d do differently is find a straight edge 9Γ—13 pan and add more almond extract and maybe a little more nonpareils in batter and on top. THANK YOU! I know these will be a new family tradition!!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Thanks Anne! So glad that they turned out well for you – thanks for the review!

    • Marty

      Anne, I didn’t see the comment with the gram weight for the flour, do you recall what it was please?

  • Melinda Pidgeon

    Hi Jaclyn,
    I am excited to prepare many of these recipes ahead of time and freeze for the holidays. Just one problem…I couldn’t find anything on how far ahead of time you can prepare them and hold in the freezer. Those that are iced, should they be iced after thawing the cookies or before freezing.
    And one last question. I’ve noticed previously that when I have frozen cookies, they sometimes will take on the taste of the plastic freezer bag. Any suggestions on how to avoid this? Thanks and happy holidays!!

  • Pam

    I have made this recipe for years. One of my favorite for Christmas. I assemble my cookie plates and sprinkle these over the tops.

  • Tick

    I just made these, I did the recipe exactly. I made sure to let the flour mix blend until it was smooth., added sprinkles, smooshed out the dough into the pan, then chilled it for an hour. I definitely need to work on my straight lines because my cookies were very uneven, but they are delicious little bites and are in my recipe box now. I hope my co-workers like them!

  • Barbara Howell

    Shortbread is my favorite cookie, hands down! Your recipe is same as mine, just basic shortbread. But you created a magical treat that I will have to β€œhide” from myself! I’m making these this afternoon using the Fall colored sprinkles I just bought.
    Thank you so much!
    (My tip: use a pizza cutter and a ruler to make quick work of cutting the squares.)

  • Cherie Quick

    I’ve made these several times and they have been perfect every time. Absolutely love this recipe. I’m trying to make cut out cookies right now and am having dough issues. I’m thinking of trying the cut out cookies with this recipe this morning. I guess I’ll just add a little extra flour and hope for the best.

  • Jenny

    These shortbread cookie bites are absolutely amazing! I made these for my family’s Christmas celebrations. They turned out well and I got lots of cookies out of these. They were quick and easy! I then got the idea that for valentine’s day and for my preschool kiddos I am going to take a little heart cookie cutter and make them into heart shapes as their valentines. Adding red, pink, and white sprinkles will just make them more festive for Valentine’s Day. Thank you for sharing this recipe!