1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons festive Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to ensure your cookie bites do not stick and brown evenly on the bottom.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about two to three minutes with a hand mixer. Stir in the alcohol-free vanilla extract until it is fully incorporated into the creamy base.
Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms and no streaks of flour remain. Once the dough is mostly combined, gently fold in the festive sprinkles using a spatula so they are evenly distributed without breaking apart.
Press the dough into a square shape on a piece of parchment paper, about half an inch thick. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into small squares, roughly one inch in size. Alternatively, you can roll the dough into small balls if you prefer a rounded shape, but the squares give it that classic bite-sized look.
Place the bites on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about an inch of space between each one. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are just barely golden. The tops should remain pale to keep that soft shortbread texture. Let them cool completely on the pan before moving them so they do not crumble.
