Delight in the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth perfection of Frosted Shortbread Cookies—an irresistible treat that's as beautiful as it is delicious! This timeless recipe combines a tender, crumbly shortbread base with a glossy, customizable frosting, making it perfect for holidays, special occasions, or everyday indulgence. With just a handful of pantry staples like unsalted butter, flour, and sugar, these cookies come together effortlessly, while optional food coloring and sprinkles allow you to get creative with seasonal or festive designs. Baked to golden perfection and finished with a sweet, smooth frosting, these cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Plus, with a prep time of just 20 minutes and simple step-by-step instructions, you'll love how easy it is to whip up a batch of these delightful frosted shortbread cookies!
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes using a hand or stand mixer.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until incorporated.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. It will be crumbly at first but should form a cohesive dough when pressed.
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Chill the cookies on the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes to help them hold their shape during baking.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
To make the frosting, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk in a medium bowl until smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
Spread the frosting over the cooled cookies and decorate with sprinkles if using.
Allow the frosting to set for about 30 minutes before serving or storing in an airtight container for up to one week.
Serving size | 673.3 grams (673.3g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 2823 |
Total Fat 99.50g | 128% |
Saturated Fat 56.90g | 285% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g | |
Cholesterol 251mg | 84% |
Sodium 625mg | 27% |
Total Carbohydrate 469.10g | 171% |
Dietary Fiber 6.50g | 23% |
Total Sugars 282.60g | |
Protein 26.60g | 53% |
Vitamin D 13IU | 65% |
Calcium 96mg | 7% |
Iron 11mg | 62% |
Potassium 340mg | 7% |
Source of Calories