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

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.

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515 Comments

  • Pauline

    Just made these with reluctance because all the bad reviews. But because of the many good ones and all the tips and how great they looked I gave it a try.
    They came out perfect!
    First: I did soften my butter, it was gonna be refrigerated anyway after right? At first mix was crumbly (I have a hand mixer) but waited a few minutes and it magically suddenly came together! That was really cool!
    I used 11Γ—7 pan, refrigerated overnight
    Refrigerated cooking stone before filling them up, cut with a long knife
    I put them in the oven as soon as I removed from fridge, cut and loaded pan quickly
    Refrigerated remaining while first batch cooked
    Baked at 375 for ten min-perfect!
    Thanks everyone for all the tips and Jaclyn for sharing!they will be a great low sugar item for Sunday school pageant party tomorrow night!

  • Keith

    I made a batch and they went flat.
    I made a second batch and used 2 1/2 cups flour and the bites stayed their shape.

  • Bex

    Oh my Lord, these are AMAZING! I dyed a third green, and a third red, then twisted them together to get a marbled effect, and I can’t believe how good these are. They looked like fudge as I was setting them on the cookie sheets, but holy cow they are one of the best shortbread cookies I’ve ever made! I don’t know if I want my family to love them as much as I do or not, because I want to keep eating them! Thank you so much for this recipe! I’ll be making them again… and again and again and again! <3

  • Natalie

    Is there any trick to making these actually stay square shaped? I’ve tried the recipe multiple times and they always end up small round quarter sized cookies. I’ve tried chilling the dough, freezing the dough, following the directions word for word. They taste great, but the whole reason I tried them was because the little squares looked cute. :(

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      How are you measuring the flour? I don’t whisk or sift first, simply scoop it using the measuring cup and level the top (don’t spoon and level). It just sounds like they need a little more flour, your best bet would be to use a scale. Hopefully they will turn out perfect the next time, sorry they haven’t in the past!

  • HCC

    I made these yesterday to bring to a cookie swap tonight and I am surprised I still have some left to bring! haha! I followed the steps just as directed and they came out wonderfully!! I don’t get how some people rated the recipe so poorly. I can only come to the conclusion they did not follow the directions. I did use two different kinds of cookie sheets, though, so the ones on the darker pan came out almost burnt, but now I know for next time! At 8 minutes they were great! I used a fabric tape measure to cut one inch blocks then cut those into quarters to make 1/2β€³ pieces.
    They are delicious! Thank you

    A side note: I didn’t think it was necessary to butter the pan. just my opinion, though.

  • Lynn W.

    These are delicious! Starting my second batch right now! Thanks so much for sharing

  • Steph

    These turned out sooo cute and perfect. I can’t wait to give them as a hostess gift for a party this afternoon!!! Super easy! Tasty! My daughter, 5, says they are the cutest cookies she has ever seen. Ha! 5 years isn’t a whole lot of time to have seen all cookies but I think she’s right. I’ve been around many decades and I agree with her! ????????
    I used gluten free flour for this first batch because of a friends allergy- they aren’t lacking flavor by any means.
    Thank you so much for this inspiration! ❀️ Is post a pic of I could.