Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies

Try these Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies for a fun and flavorful twist on classic shortbread. Fragrant vanilla bean paste and a sprinkle topping make these melt-in-your-mouth cookies totally irresistible!

Shortbread cookies never go out of style! Add these Easy Whipped Shortbread Cookies to your dessert menu next.

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Why These Cookies are Best

You’ll love the simple buttery sweet vanilla taste of these shortbread cookies–and how easy they are to make!

• Easy shortbread – You only need 5 ingredients for dough!
• Made with real vanilla – We use vanilla bean paste for a rich, fragrant vanilla flavor that makes these buttery cookies stand out from the crowd.
• White chocolate – Spread a little melted vanilla bark on top for even more sweetness.
• Covered with sprinkles – Mix up the sprinkle colors for different occasions!

Love easy slice and bake cookies? Try our cinnamon roll cookies next!

Ingredient Notes

• Vanilla bean paste is a baking ingredient made by combining the finely ground seeds from a vanilla bean with vanilla extract. It puts the creamy vanilla flavor front and center in these cookies. Dont’ have any on hand (you can order on amazon), use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and the seeds from one vanilla bean.
• Unsalted butter is my preference over salted varieties in shortbread cookies. It gives you more control over the ultimate taste of the cookies.
• Powdered sugar sweetens these cookies and helps provide that light and delicate crumb we love in shortbread.
• White chocolate melting wafers create the perfect topping for these shortbread cookies! If you can’t find them, use melted vanilla almond bark instead.

Easy Instructions

1. Make the shortbread dough: The dough may be crumbly. That’s totally normal. Just use your hands to work the dough until it starts to stick together.
2. Roll and chill: Continue using your hands to roll the dough into a foot-long log. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
3. Slice and bake: Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into individual slices. Bake until the cookies begin to brown on the edges.
4. Decorate: Once the cookies have cooled, melt the white chocolate (or vanilla bark). Spread a small amount onto each vanilla bean shortbread cookie then immediately add a few sprinkles.

Recipe FAQs

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Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies

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By: Aimee

Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies for a fun and flavorful twist on classic shortbread. Fragrant vanilla bean paste and a sprinkle topping make these melt-in-your-mouth cookies totally irresistible!

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes minutes

Servings: 48 cookies

Ingredients 

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• ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• ▢ ½ cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
• ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ 1 ½ cups Ghirardelli white chocolate wafers or vanilla almond bark, melted
• ▢ ¼ cup sprinkles

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Instructions 

• In a a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar. Add vanilla bean paste and mix until fully blended.
• Add flour and kosher salt. If the mixture is still crumbly after blending, use hands to fully combine.
• Place dough on a lightly floured counter. Roll into a 12inch log. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• When ready to bake, slice dough into thin slices. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until cookies begin to lightly brown on edges.
• Once cooled, spread a small amount of melted vanilla bark onto each cookie and immediate add sprinkles.
• Allow to set, about 15 minutes. Store in a covered container for up to 7 days. ENJOY.

Notes

• What can I substitute for vanilla paste? If you don’t have vanilla paste available, I recommend using a whole vanilla bean. Scrape out the seeds and add them to the dough for a wonderful strong vanilla flavor!
• Storing: These cookies keep well for about one week in an airtight container. But good luck not eating them all long before then!
• Add-ins: Add mini chocolate chips to make Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. Add lemon and enjoy an easy lemon shortbread cookie!
• Holiday variations: Customize these Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies by using different colors of sprinkles. We love them with pink and red sprinkles for a Valentine’s Day treat! Or add festive sprinkles for Christmas!
• Freeze Cookies. Use my tips on how to freeze cookie dough for later.
• Caramel. Spread some dulce de leche between two cookies like we do with our alfajores.
• Make ahead: This shortbread dough can be stored in the fridge for several days before baking. When you’re ready for homemade shortbread just slice and bake. As easy as store bought refrigerated cookie dough but tastes so much better!
• See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 104kcal, Carbohydrates: 11g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 11mg, Sodium: 12mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Vanilla isn’t a background player in these Vanilla Bean Shortbread Cookies. It’s the star!