Spiced Walnut Shortbread

When the holiday season approaches, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked treats to fill your home with cozy warmth and festive cheer. This delightful Christmas baking recipe for Spiced Walnut Shortbread is a perfect blend of rich, buttery flavors with a touch of warm spices and crunchy walnuts. These delicate shortbread cookies are an ideal sweet treat for your Christmas cookie platter or to gift to loved ones during the festive season. Follow along for a step-by-step guide to creating these delicious Spiced Walnut Shortbread cookies that are sure to become a family favorite.

**Spiced Walnut Shortbread**

**Ingredients:**
– 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:** Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

2. **Cream the Butter and Sugar:** In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for creating a tender shortbread texture.

3. **Add Flavor:** Mix in the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, combining well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough. These warm spices will infuse the shortbread with comforting seasonal flavors.

4. **Incorporate the Flour:** Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. The dough should be smooth and easy to handle.

5. **Fold in the Walnuts:** Gently fold in the finely chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the dough. The crunchy texture of the walnuts adds a delightful contrast to the buttery shortbread.

6. **Shape the Cookies:** On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes – classic rounds, stars, or festive shapes like trees and snowflakes work wonderfully for Christmas.

7. **Bake to Perfection:** Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be cautious not to overbake to maintain the tender texture of the shortbread.

8. **Cool and Enjoy:** Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, these Spiced Walnut Shortbread cookies are ready to be enjoyed or shared with family and friends.

These Spiced Walnut Shortbread cookies are a delightful addition to your Christmas baking repertoire, embodying the essence of the holiday season in every bite. Whether you enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa by the fireside or gift them in a beautifully wrapped package, these fragrant and buttery treats are sure to spread joy and warmth wherever they go. Embrace the spirit of Christmas with this simple yet delicious recipe that is guaranteed to become a festive favorite in your home.