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Hazelnut Shortbread Wreath Cookies

3 from 2 votes
22 comments
December 20, 2024
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These Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies are a deliciously simple twist on my classic shortbread cookie, packed with toasted hazelnuts and topped with candied cherries for a festive touch. With their crumbly texture and buttery richness, these cookies are perfect for the holiday season or anytime you’re craving a little extra flavor. Made with ground hazelnuts and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar, this hazelnut shortbread cookie recipe delivers a nutty flavor in every bite. Plus, they’re easy to make and great for cookie exchanges or gifting.

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Why You’ll Love this Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies Recipe

This Hazelnut Shortbread Cookie recipe is a must-try for nut lovers. The ground hazelnuts add an extra level of flavor, and the buttery shortbread base practically melts in your mouth. Plus, these cookies are not just tasty—they’re also a beautiful addition to any holiday cookie platter. The cherry on top (literally) makes them look festive, and they’re easy to whip up in a single bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer. The crumbly shortbread cookies keep well, making them perfect for making ahead of time for the busy holiday season.

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Ingredients Needed for Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

Just a handful of main ingredients are needed to make these Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies:

  • Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
  • Toasted Hazelnuts: Finely ground to infuse each cookie with a nutty flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure, resulting in a crumbly shortbread texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: For dusting the cookies after baking, adding a light sweetness.
  • Candied Cherries: Sliced in half, these are perfect for decorating and adding a pop of color. If you can’t find candied cherries, I’ve also used Red Hot candies or maraschino cherries instead.

Variations

  • Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
  • Almond Shortbread: Substitute ground almonds or hazelnut meal for a slightly different nutty flavor.
  • Vegan Option: Use vegan butter for a plant-based version.
  • Extra Flavor: Try adding a hint of hazelnut oil or brown butter for even more richness.
  • Maraschino Cherries: Use jarred maraschino cherries or red hot candies instead of candied cherries for a fresher taste.
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How to Make Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

These delicious cookies are perfect for Christmas gift giving and holiday parties! For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here are my step by step directions for making hazelnut shortbread cookies:

1. Preheat Oven + Prep Baking Sheet

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line Baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat and set aside. 

2. Mix Butter + Sugar

In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer (or bowl of a stand mixer and paddle attachment), whip softened butter and sugar together until well combined and the mixture lightens a bit (about 2 minutes). 

A glass bowl with cubed butter. A spatula and a bowl are visible above. A beige napkin and red berries in a bowl are in the background.
A glass bowl with sugar and butter on a marble surface. Nearby, a sieve with flour, a small dish with red sauce, greenery, and a brown napkin are visible.
A hand mixer blends butter and sugar in a glass bowl, set on a kitchen countertop with a beige cloth and a small sieve nearby.

3. Grind/Add Hazelnuts + Vanilla Extract

In a food processor, grind up toasted hazelnuts to a fine texture, then add to the bowl with vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until combined.

Top view of a food processor with hazelnuts inside on a marble surface, with some hazelnuts scattered and brown fabric in the background.
Chopped nuts in a food processor with an orange blade attachment, on a counter with a beige cloth and whole nuts nearby.
Hand adding crumbled mixture into a glass bowl with a yellow mixture, next to a bowl with red sauce and rolled dough on a beige cloth.
A hand adds liquid to a glass bowl containing a mixture of yellow and brown ingredients on a table, with a small dish of red jam nearby.
A glass bowl with mixed butter and sugar on a marble countertop. Nearby are a sieve with flour, a bowl of cherries, a wooden tray, a kitchen towel, and a sprig of greenery.
Electric mixer blending cake batter in a glass bowl, with a bowl of cherries and a cloth napkin in the background.

4. Add in Flour

Gradually add flour, mixing until the dough is crumbly and just combined.

Glass bowl with flour and yellow dough mixture on a table. Nearby are a cloth, greenery, and a dish with red contents.
Hands mixing dough in a glass bowl. A sifter with flour, a dish with cherries, and a wooden board with a red knife are on the table.

5. Shape Cookies

Form dough into rounds (about 2 tablespoons in size), creating a small hole in the center to create a wreath or donut shape. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. You should have 12 equal circles. 

A hand holds a ball of dough over a glass bowl on a marble countertop. Nearby are a sifter with flour and a small bowl of cherries on a wooden board.
Hands shaping dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Hands pressing dough onto a baking sheet with a non-stick mat on a marble surface.
Hands shaping dough into a ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
A single unbaked cookie dough ring on a lined baking tray.
A baking sheet with 12 raw donut rings evenly spaced on parchment paper, placed on a marble surface.

6. Bake + Cool

Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are barely golden brown. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack. 

Twelve round cookies with holes in the center, arranged in rows on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
A dozen round cookies with holes in the center cooling on a wire rack placed on a wooden board.

7. Decorate!

Dust tops of cookies with powdered sugar and place half of a candied cherry on each wreath.

Hands sifting powdered sugar onto ring-shaped cookies on a cooling rack.
Hands sifting powdered sugar onto ring-shaped cookies on a cooling rack.
A hand places candied cherries on powdered sugar-covered ring-shaped cookies cooling on a wire rack.

Storage + Make Ahead Directions for Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

Place cookies in a cool, dry place in an airtight container to keep them fresh longer.

To Make Ahead: These cookies store well in an airtight container for up to a week...which makes these perfect for adding to a cookie exchange plate!

To Freeze: Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on wax paper, then transfer to an airtight container.

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More Christmas Cookies Recipes to Try!

Try these Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies with a cup of coffee or tea, and enjoy a little taste of holiday magic! The printable recipe card is below! Happy Baking!

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.

A plate of powdered cookies with red cherries, arranged in a circular pattern, is surrounded by pine branches. Some cookies are partially eaten.
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3 from 2 votes

Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

These festive Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies are turned into wreaths and topped with powdered sugar and a candied cherry!
servings 12 wreaths
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with parchment or a baking mat and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer (or stand mixer), whip butter and sugar together until well combined. About 2 minutes.
    A hand mixer blends butter and sugar in a glass bowl, set on a kitchen countertop with a beige cloth and a small sieve nearby.
  • In a food processor, grind toasted hazelnuts to a fine texture, then add to the bowl with vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until combined.
    A food processor with a transparent lid containing chickpeas, ready for processing.
  • Scrape sides and mix again. Stir in all the flour until just incorporated.
    Hand adding crumbled mixture into a glass bowl with a yellow mixture, next to a bowl with red sauce and rolled dough on a beige cloth.
  • Form dough (about 2 Tbsp) into rounds, creating a small hole in the center to make a wreath or donut shape. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough. You should have 12 equal circles.
    Hands shaping dough into a ring on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are barely golden. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes before removing to cooling rack.
    Twelve round cookies with holes in the center, arranged in rows on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Dust tops of cookies with powdered sugar and place half of a candied cherry on each wreath. Serve.
    Round cookies dusted with powdered sugar and topped with red cherries are arranged in rows on a cooling rack.

Notes

*If you can’t find candied cherries, you can use jarred maraschino cherries or red hot candies. 

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 48mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
3 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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22 Responses
  2. 50 Christmas Cookie Recipes | Lauren's Latest
    Reply

    […] Hazelnut Wreath Cookies–finely chopped hazelnuts stirred into a buttery shortbread and baked into wreath cookies! […]

  12. Anna @ hiddenponies
    Reply

    SO cute and festive! You OWN cute in the kitchen, I gotta tell ya.
    Hope the move goes well – we’ve moved 5 times in 5 years of marriage, I actually think moving is tons of fun 🙂

  15. DessertForTwo
    Reply

    These are adorable!

    Hope the move is going well. If y’all need anything, just let us know! We’d love to help in any way that we can 🙂

    Merry Christmas to you & your sweet family 🙂

  16. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
    Reply

    These are beautiful and remind me of something my grandma used to make. But she didn’t make them in the wreath shapes. And the candied maraschino cherry….so cute. I love those things!

  19. Chris @ TheKeenanCookBook
    Reply

    These look gorgeous! And bonus points for being simple. I’m out of the loop, where you moving to? Across town or new town? Good luck on the move and Merry Christmas!

  20. Cookbook Queen
    Reply

    I hate moving. Haaaaaatttteee. We moved over the Summer and it was a nightmare. And in Arkansas heat, which means 100 plus heat and humidity.

    I DO however, LOOOVE hazelnuts. These sound perfect!!

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