Buttery almond stars to bake ahead for your festive table. Use alcohol-free flavourings and check any chocolate or decorations for ingredients and allergens.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Baking Time: 12-15 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients
For the Shortbread:
200g ground almonds
100g unsalted butter, softened
50g ZUKR (ground to a powder)
1 tsp alcohol-free vanilla flavouring
¼ tsp salt
Optional: ½ tsp alcohol-free almond flavouring
For Decoration:
Extra ZUKR for dusting
Edible glitter or festive sprinkles (optional)
Method
1. Prepare:
Preheat oven to 180°C/Gas Mark 4.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare a star-shaped cookie cutter.
Have a cooling rack ready for later.
2. Make the Dough:
Beat the butter until very soft.
Mix in ZUKR until light and creamy.
Add alcohol-free vanilla flavouring (and alcohol-free almond flavouring if using).
Gently work in the ground almonds and salt until the dough comes together.
3. Roll and Cut:
Lightly dust your work surface with ground almonds or a small amount of powdered ZUKR.
Roll out the dough to approximately 1cm thickness.
Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the biscuits.
Place the stars on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
4. Bake:
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are pale golden.
Leave the biscuits on the tray for 10 minutes to firm up.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Decorate:
Once the biscuits are cool, lightly dust them with extra ZUKR for a frosty finish.
For added festive flair, sprinkle edible glitter or festive sprinkles.
Essential Tips for Perfect Christmas Shortbread
Use room-temperature butter for the best texture.
Avoid overworking the dough to keep the biscuits tender.
Handle the biscuits carefully when warm, they are fragile until fully cooled.
Allow the flavours to develop for at least 24 hours for the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Storage
Keep the biscuits in an airtight tin at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Unbaked dough can be frozen for convenience.
Variations to Try
Add orange or lemon zest to the dough for a festive citrus twist.
Dip the tips of the star biscuits in melted dark chocolate and allow to set for a luxurious finish.
Sprinkle crushed pistachios on top before baking for an extra crunch.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, spiced flavour.