Funfetti Shortbread Bites

Published December 6, 2015. Updated November 28, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

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 bites—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 a birthday or you could do pastels on 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!

More Favorite Christmas Cookies!

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

4.34 from 107 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. 
  • 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). 
  • 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. 
  • Recipe source: inspired by 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.

Categorized:

Leave a Comment

Rate this recipe




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

501 Comments

  • Missy

    I just made these with my great niece and nephew (4 & 6). We used the standing mixer and everything looked great until we added the sprinkles. They started bleeding right away.

    My sister (kids grandma and boss) doesn’t use butter so do you think the vegetable spread sticks could have contributed or does everyone else’s dough look pink and blue now?

  • Doreen

    Can I make these without a mixer? Mine broke and I’d really like to try thsee for Christmas gifts. Can I possibly mix by hand, with my hands?
    Thanks for any help or advice.

  • Jewren Moody

    Made these tonight and they were perfect. Followed the directions as written and the dough was perfect and they cut into perfect cubes. All packaged up to make their trips for Christmas tomorrow.
    Thanks for sharing this great recipe.

  • Shannon

    I think the problem a lot of people are having is that they see the cookies as perfect cubes. If you look close at the picture, they are kinda flat.

    I have also noticed when doing my cookies, I didn’t use th parchment method. I just froze the dough with some Pam sprayed on the bottom. I also sharpened my knife prior to cutting them. I might also add, you have to cut the dough into smaller squares to get the yield mentioned. Mine are very tiny, but that’s the beauty of this cookie. A bite size piece of heaven.

    Hopefully this helps someone out
    If you follow the recipe exactly as she wrote it, you will have success

  • Marilyn Bailey

    Good cookie & cute too! HOWEVER, pressing the cookie dough onto the parchment & then lifting it out (after refrigeration) was a disaster! Dough just fell apart. SO took out the paper and pressed dough into pan and baked. THEN cut into squares while warm and let cool to room temp. Refrigerated till cool and removed cookies. Perfect and a whole lot easier!

  • Amber

    This is the second time I’ve made these and both times my cookies fell flat. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I do put it in the freezer for a few hours before baking them. I’m at a lost…

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You could try a little more flour and maybe even add a little baking powder to puff them up a little! Sorry they haven’t turned out for you!

  • Beth

    A simple and delicious recipe. I used them to fill in on cookie plates. Great recipe!

  • Diana

    Great recipe. Easy beautiful and delicious. Definitely will be on my Christmas cookie list from now on. They are pretty in the little cookie tins. I am making again next week for my family Christmas. Thank you for sharing