If your letter to Santa started off with, “Dear Santa, I can explain…” then you might to need to sprinkle a little extra love on those cookies to make sure your name makes it to the nice list this year. Whether you’re celebrating the Best Thyme of the Year, or feeling Rosemary + Bright, we’ve got the best Christmas Shortbread Cookie recipes for you to enjoy a Very Minty Christmas.

 

SANTA SHORTBREAD COOKIES –

  • Best Thyme of the Year
  • Rosemary + Bright
  • Very Minty Christmas

*The process and ingredients are the same for each recipe, simply change the herb you’d like to use and adjust portion to taste.

 

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ salt
  • 2 cups fresh mint leaves/ ½ cup fresh thyme/ 1/3 cup fresh rosemary
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ cup butter (room temperature)
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk

 

Instructions:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together baking powder, all purpose flour, and salt.
  2. In a food processor, process together granulated sugar and herb of choice (ensure stems are removed). Process until the herb is completely incorporated and the sugar takes on a light green color.
  3. Add cubed room temperature butter to the sugar and process until combined.
  4. Add in dry ingredients and pulse to combine, add in egg + 1 yolk and process until the dough comes together.
  5. Roll out dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead until the dough holds together. If the dough is too soft, add about a tbsp of flour and incorporate to bring together.
  6. Form a disk shape and wrap dough in plastic wrap. Transfer to the refrigerator to cool for at least 2 hours.
  7. Move oven rack to the center and preheat oven to 350 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  8. Let the dough soften slightly on the counter top for about 10 minutes.
  9. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick.
  10. Use cookie cutters to create any shape and transfer to the cookie sheet.
  11. Bake for about 10 minutes or until just lightly browned. Careful to avoid over baking.
  12. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before decorating as desired.
  13. Santa loves chocolate so try topping with a chocolate glaze!