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

  • Glenna

    Could you use unsalted butter instead of the salted butter? That’s all I have on hand

  • Jessie

    This was my first time making shortbread, and it turned out really well. I used vanilla extract rather than almond, and unsalted butter.

    I don’t have a stand mixer so I used a hand mixer, but it took 10 or more minutes of mixing on low speeds for the dough to come together into the typical gravelly clumps (though I had to Google a picture of what shortbread dough is meant to look like!). Before baking, I chilled the dough for 40 minutes and chilled the cookie sheets between each batch going into the oven.

    My oven runs slightly hot so I baked them at 325 degrees, and only for 7 minutes max, otherwise the bottoms got too brown. However, even with brown bottoms, they tasted great! Can’t wait to make them again. Thanks for the recipe!

  • Robin

    Couldn’t this mot be baked all together and then cut into squares after baking??

  • ReAnna

    Soo tasty. If you leave out the sprinkles y ou can use cookie cutters to make shapes

  • Rosie

    2 things about this recipe: 1. my dough does not come together until I press it into the pan. So don’t worry about it not coming together with the mixer. 2. I press mine into a much smaller pan. I use a 7Γ—11 pan. I can’t imagine the wafer thin cookie that would result using anything larger! anyway…these changes work well for me. And yes….use BUTTER!

  • Gloria

    Just tried the recipe and we just can’t stop eating. I had no almond/vanilla extract at hand so i used a little egg nog and it came out great though i will use less sugar next time.
    Thanks for sharing.

  • Abby

    Made these for Xmas with crushed peppermint, chopped chocolate, and peppermint extract (and a little vanilla – no almond). They were aMAzing. The trick to these is the cooler and firmer they are before baking, the better they hold their shape. I baked my first batch directly after cutting the squares and they were a little sloppy and unevenly cooked (still freaking delicious -don’t get me wrong). The batch I baked after the squares had been sitting in the fridge overnight retained their shape and cooked evenly. They look just like the picture. Fabulous!

  • Kayeloni

    Love this!! Question though! Can I substitute butter flavored shortening? Or is real butter the best way to go?