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Sugar Plum Fairy Shortbread Bites

Sugar Plum Fairy Shortbread Bites: Effortless Holiday Joy

Delightful Sugar Plum Fairy Shortbread Bites with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, perfect for festive gatherings and thoughtful gifts.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Chilling Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 18 minutes
Servings: 24 bites
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Holiday
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Dough
  • 1 cup Very Soft Butter Ensures richness and tenderness; let it sit at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar Provides sweetness; feel free to swap with coconut sugar for a deeper note.
  • 1 teaspoon Almond Extract Infuses a nutty flavor; vanilla works well as a simpler substitute.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract Enhances overall taste; can be increased by replacing some almond extract if desired.
  • 1 drop Pink or Red Food Coloring Optional for a festive touch; skip for a traditional appearance.
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour Forms the dough’s structure; no direct substitutes for the best texture.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt Balances sweetness; table salt is okay too, just adjust slightly.
  • 1/2 cup Multi-Colored Nonpareils Decorative sprinkles that add charm; substitute with your favorite sprinkles if you like.
For the Glaze (Optional)
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar Essential for creating a smooth glaze; alternative sweeteners may alter the final texture.
  • 2 tablespoons Half & Half Provides creaminess in the glaze; milk or non-dairy alternatives can be used for a lighter version.

Equipment

  • 9-inch square baking pan
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Hand mixer
  • Cookie Sheets
  • whisk
  • foil

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Sugar Plum Fairy Shortbread Bites
  1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) and prepare a 9-inch square baking pan with foil and nonstick spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine soft butter and granulated sugar, blending until creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Incorporate almond and vanilla extracts, and add food coloring if desired, mixing until evenly distributed.
  4. Add all-purpose flour and kosher salt, stirring gently until crumbly, then fold in multi-colored nonpareils.
  5. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and pat into an even layer; refrigerate for 10 minutes.
  6. After chilling, cut the dough into 1-inch squares and place them on ungreased cookie sheets; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Bake for 13-18 minutes until lightly browned on the bottoms; cool completely on a rack.
  8. For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, half & half, and extracts until smooth; dip cooled bites in glaze and decorate with reserved nonpareils.

Nutrition

Serving: 1biteCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 30mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.1mg

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, or refrigerate for two weeks, or freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

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