Shortbread Wreath Cookies

Looking for a standout recipe for your holiday cookie tray? These Shortbread Wreath Cookies deliver with their vibrant color, festive design, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Decorated with red candies and sparkling green sugar, they’re a delight to make and share.

Holiday baking is one of my favorite traditions, and these Shortbread Wreath Cookies capture everything I love about it: a little creativity, festive flavors, and a treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. 

Are they not the cutest and most festive you’ve ever seen? I can’t get enough of them! I’ve had this particular Christmas cookie recipe on my “to make” list for a couple of years now. I pulled it from a Christmas Cookies magazine years ago. With a few tweaks to make it my own, I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!

The look of these Shortbread Wreath Cookies speaks for itself. I love all of the colors and textures. The flavor is delicious too. Have you ever had a spritz cookie? It’s basically just like that: light and buttery with a hint of almond flavor. The red cinnamon candies go perfectly with them. Yum!

Now, I will tell you that these Shortbread Wreath Cookies are slightly fussy to make. They aren’t difficult, but they do take a little time. Also, you can get really particular about the evenness of your wreaths and how intricate you are with the cuts on the edges of the cookies.

Even though I knew I would be photographing these to share with you, I didn’t get overly fussy. I tweaked them enough to look good and then left the rest in the hands of the “baking gods.” I think you should do the same. No cookie is worth stressing over.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• These Shortbread Wreath Cookies are as festive as they are flavorful. The vibrant green hue, charming wreath shape, and pops of red from the cinnamon candies instantly bring holiday cheer to your cookie tray. They’re a showstopper that’s sure to stand out at any gathering.
• The buttery, light texture paired with a hint of almond flavor makes these cookies absolutely irresistible. They’re reminiscent of classic spritz cookies but with a unique twist that makes them extra special. The added cinnamon candies provide a delightful touch of sweetness and spice.
• Making these cookies is like creating edible art. While they do take a bit of time and care, shaping and decorating each wreath is part of the fun. Whether you’re crafting them solo or as a family activity, the process is just as enjoyable as the final result.
• These cookies are perfect for gifting or sharing. Their delicate texture and festive appearance make them ideal for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or even as a thoughtful homemade present. Plus, they store well, so you can bake them ahead of time and savor the season stress-free.

Want more festive cookie recipes? I have the ultimate collection of Christmas cookie recipes right HERE. Tap through to check out all of my favorite holiday cookies. You’re in for a holiday feast!

Ingredients

Before we can get baking. Let’s gather up the ingredients we’ll need to make these Shortbread Wreath Cookies.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation of these cookies, providing structure and a delicate crumb.
• Sugar: Adds the perfect level of sweetness to the dough, balancing the buttery and almond flavors.
• Salt: Enhances the flavor of the cookies and balances the sweetness, giving them a well-rounded taste.
• Unsalted butter: Cold and cubed, it creates that tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture we all love.
• Eggs: Essential for binding the dough together and giving the cookies a slightly richer texture.
• Almond extract: Infuses the cookies with a light, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery base.
• Green food coloring: Adds the festive green color to the dough, transforming the cookies into cheerful holiday wreaths.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Used in the glaze to create a smooth and sweet coating for decorating the cookies.
• Milk: Combines with the confectioners’ sugar to create the perfect consistency for the glaze.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and flavor to the glaze, complementing the almond notes in the cookies.
• Red cinnamon candies: Serve as festive “berries” for the wreaths while adding a touch of spice and sweetness.
• Green sanding sugar: Adds sparkle, texture, and even more holiday charm to these already-festive cookies.

How to Make

I’m going to quickly walk you through the steps of making these festive wreath cookies. For a more detailed explanation along with a full ingredient list, please reference the printable recipe card below.

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Add the eggs, almond extract, and green food coloring. Begin mixing with a wooden spoon and then mix with your hands. Mix until evenly colored. Cover and chill the dough for about an hour.

3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
4. Divide the dough into 24 1.5-inch sized balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 7-inch rope. Shape this rope into a circle and pinch the ends to seal.

5. Place the circles about 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Snip the edges of each circle with scissors to create texture.

6. Bake for 8 minutes or until the edges barely start to brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to completely cool.
7. While the cookies cool, create the glaze by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. You can add more or less milk to achieve the desired consistency.

8. Working three cookies at a time, drizzle the glaze over the cookies (I found this easiest to do with the glaze in a piping or plastic bag). Decorate with the red cinnamon candies, then sprinkle with the green sugar.
9. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Voila! Another tasty Christmas cookie on the books! I’m baking these early, so I’ll be storing them in the freezer until Christmas. You can do the same if you want to get a head start on your cookie baking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out. When ready to use, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to soften slightly before shaping.

What’s the best way to get an even green color in the dough?

Adding the food coloring before mixing ensures a more uniform color throughout the dough. Start with a few drops, mix well, and add more as needed until you achieve your desired shade. Using gel food coloring can help you get a vibrant green without adding too much liquid.

Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, these cookies freeze well! You can freeze them undecorated or fully decorated. For undecorated cookies, store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. If they’re decorated, freeze them in a single layer first, then stack with parchment paper between layers. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

What if I don’t have a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour mixture?

No worries! You can use a fork or even your fingertips to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Just make sure to work quickly so the butter stays cold for the best texture.

More Christmas Cookies You’ll Love

• Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cookies
• Italian Sprinkle Christmas Cookies
• Whipped Shortbread Cookies
• Christmas Sprinkle Cookie Cups
• Cream Horn Cookies
• Peppermint Kiss Cookies

As always, I sincerely hope you enjoyed this recipe. If you’re looking for a new cookie that is sure to wow, give these Shortbread Wreath Cookies a try! There’s something undeniably special about creating homemade holiday treats, and these Shortbread Wreath Cookies fit the bill perfectly. 

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. Happy Holiday Baking!

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Shortbread Wreath Cookies

Adorable, delicious, and downright festive, these Shortbread Wreath Cookies are destined to be the start of your holiday cookie tray.

4 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas cookies, cookie, holiday baking, shortbread

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 53 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 cookies

Calories: 186kcal

Equipment

• mixing bowls
• pastry blender
• wooden spoon
• whisk
• measuring spoons
• measuring cups

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup cold unsalted butter cubed
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• green food coloring

Glaze:

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 – 1.5 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Decorations:

• red cinnamon candies
• green sanding sugar

Instructions

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
• Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Add the eggs, almond extract, and green food coloring. Begin mixing with a wooden spoon and then mix with your hands. Mix until evenly colored. Cover and chill the dough for about an hour.
• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
• Divide the dough into 24 1.5-inch sized balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 7-inch rope. Shape this rope into a circle and pinch the ends to seal.
• Place the circles about 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Snip the edges of each circle with scissors to create texture.
• Bake for 8 minutes or until the edges barely start to brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack to completely cool.
• While the cookies cool, create the glaze by whisking together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. You can add more or less milk to achieve the desired consistency.
• Working three cookies at a time, drizzle the glaze over the cookies (I found this easiest to do with the glaze in a piping or plastic bag). Decorate with the red cinnamon candies, then sprinkle with the green sugar.
• Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 259IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg