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Delicious Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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Sugar Plum Shortbread Cookies are a festive and delightful treat, combining the buttery richness of shortbread with the sweet, fruity essence of sugar plums. These cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet gift for loved ones. The crumbly texture of the shortbread paired with a hint of fruity sweetness makes these cookies a classic seasonal favorite. Decorated with a touch of powdered sugar or sprinkles, they add a beautiful, festive touch to any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 1/4 cup dried sugar plums (or dried plums/prunes), finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup sugar plum preserves (optional, for a fruity glaze)
  • Colored sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Dough:
    • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Add the vanilla extract (and almond extract, if using) and mix until well combined.
    • In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
    • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough begins to come together. Stir in the finely chopped dried sugar plums (or dried plums/prunes).
    • If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes.
  • Shape the Cookies:
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired shapes (stars, circles, or festive shapes).
    • Place the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  • Bake:
    • Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.
    • Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Decorate (Optional):
    • Once the cookies have cooled, dust with powdered sugar or top with colored sprinkles or sanding sugar for a festive touch.
    • If you want to add an extra burst of sugar plum flavor, brush the cookies with a thin layer of sugar plum preserves or jelly.

Notes

  • If sugar plum preserves are unavailable, you can use any fruit preserve with a tart and sweet flavor, like plum or apricot.
  • For a twist, you can substitute the dried sugar plums with dried cranberries or cherries.
  • These cookies freeze well! Once cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to a month.

Keywords: sugar plum shortbread cookies, shortbread cookies, holiday cookies, festive cookies, sugar plum treats, easy shortbread cookies, buttery cookies, Christmas cookies

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