Why We Absolutely Love These Cinnamon Biscoff Cookies

• Simple Ingredients: You only need 7 pantry staples to make these irresistible cinnamon shortbread cookies.
• Biscoff Delight: The Biscoff filling is completely optional, but trust us, adding melted Biscoff to the center elevates these cookies to a whole new level of deliciousness!
• Perfect for Gifting: These cinnamon shortbread cookies are ideal for inclusion in cookie boxes or for exchanging during Christmas cookie swaps! They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
• Easy to Make: Don’t let the elegant look fool you. These cookies are surprisingly simple to make, even for beginner bakers. The dough comes together quickly, and the baking process is straightforward.
• Versatile for Any Occasion: While they’re perfect for the holidays, these cookies can be enjoyed year-round. Their comforting flavor and delicate texture make them a welcome treat any time of the year.
• Highly Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different extracts, spices, or fillings to create your own unique variation of these shortbread cookies. The possibilities are endless!
• Freezer-Friendly: You can easily make a batch of these cookies ahead of time and freeze them for later. This makes them a convenient option for holiday baking or last-minute gatherings.
• Aromatic and Inviting: As these cookies bake, the aroma of cinnamon will fill your kitchen, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Gather Your Ingredients for Cinnamon Shortbread Perfection

• Unsalted Butter: We highly recommend using European butter for the richest, most tender cookies. Its higher butterfat content makes all the difference. Ensure your butter is at room temperature for easy creaming.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: This fine sugar blends seamlessly into the butter, creating a delicate and smooth dough.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of our shortbread, all-purpose flour provides the structure for these delectable treats.
• Cornstarch: Adding cornstarch is the secret to achieving an ultra-soft and melt-in-your-mouth texture in your shortbread. It helps to prevent gluten development, resulting in a more tender cookie.
• Kosher Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
• Ground Cinnamon: The star of the show! Cinnamon adds warmth and spice to these cookies, making them perfect for the holidays or any time you crave a comforting treat.
• Biscoff Spread: This optional filling adds a delightful cinnamon-caramel flavor that complements the shortbread perfectly. You can melt it for easy filling.
• Optional: A sprinkle of coarse sugar on top adds a touch of sparkle and a delightful crunch.

Let’s Get Baking: Crafting Your Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a bowl using a hand mixer), beat the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy. This process typically takes about 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix until just combined.

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and ground cinnamon until well combined. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3: Combine and Chill the Dough. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until a dough forms. Be careful not to overmix. Once the dough comes together, remove it from the bowl, flatten it into a disc, and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. This chilling time is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading during baking.

Step 4: Roll, Cut, and Freeze. Remove the chilled dough from the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters or thumbprint stamps to cut out your desired shapes. If you have any scraps, reroll them and cut out more cookies. Place the cut-out cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and transfer them to the freezer for 15-20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape during baking.

Top Tips and Notes for Perfect Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

• Filling Variations: Don’t limit yourself to Biscoff! You can easily swap it out for other delicious fillings like chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella), your favorite jam, or even leave the cookies unfilled for a classic shortbread experience.
• The Importance of Chilling: Due to the high butter content in these cookies, chilling the dough and the cut-out cookies before baking is absolutely essential. This prevents them from spreading excessively and helps them maintain their shape.
• Proper Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. This will help them retain their freshness and flavor.
• Creative Cookie Cutters: Get creative with your cookie cutters! We used thumbprint cookie stamps from Williams-Sonoma to create the well in the center for the filling, but you can use any cookie cutter shape you like.
• Even Baking is Key: For consistent results, ensure your oven is properly preheated and that you are baking the cookies one sheet at a time. This will help ensure even browning and prevent some cookies from being overbaked while others are underbaked.
• Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can lead to tough cookies. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
• Handle with Care: Shortbread dough is delicate. Handle it gently when rolling it out and cutting out shapes to prevent it from becoming overworked or sticky.
• A Touch of Sparkle: For an extra touch of elegance, brush the tops of the unbaked cookies with a beaten egg white and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.

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Thank you!

Ella

Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies with Biscoff Filling

Ella Gilbert