Teeny tiny shortbread bites studded with rainbow sprinkles. These Rainbow Bites are so addictive, the kids will love these!
Ok, how damn CUTE are these guys?? I was poking around my sister’s Pinterest page because I saw that she’d pinned my Blue Bear Birthday Cake from last week, and came across this post. My planned baking for the week quickly came to a halt and these were bumped up to the head of the line. Can you blame me? It’s January (aka worst month of the year), it’s dreary, and these Rainbow Shortbread Bites are the perfect rays of sunshine.
Not only is January the worst ever weather-wise, there is literally nothing to look forward to for MONTHS. To add insult to injury, Ryan and I are on a frikken DIET because we got mega-fat over the holidays (or the past few months, whatever). Restraint was not in our vocabulary.
So come January 1st we signed back up with Weight Watchers. What is UP with them constantly changing their plans? What was wrong with the initial one they had? Back in the mid-2000’s the plan was great and easy to follow. Now they’ve changed everything up (again) and it’s really frustrating. My morning coffee that used to be 2 points is now 6? But my daily points haven’t increased? Give me a frikken break. I realize that they’re probably trying to get people to eat “healthier” but at least have the option for members to use the old plan. Needless to say, we cancelled our subscription and asked for a refund within 2 days of re-subscribing. We’re trying out the My Fitness Pal app now, and it’s working much better. The whole diet thing in general still sucks, mind you, but at least this approach is better for us.
So, feeling miserable from the time of year, counting calories, starving, cutting back on everything delicious, and here come these delicious little rainbow shortbread bites. They’re only 60 calories for 10! They’re tiny, I know, but you *feel* like you’re getting a bit more.
This recipe has all of 6 ingredients and is really easy. You make a standard shortbread dough and press it into an 8″ square pan, chill it, and cut it into 1/2″ bites.
256 bites to be exact. Initially I was like eff that, I’ll just cut them into 1″ squares instead of 1/2″ — but trust me when I say they weren’t nearly as cute or appealing. So I ended up cutting them into 1/2″. It really didn’t take that long, and it was worth the effort.
Once cut, bake for 15mins and you’re done! It’s times like these that I really wish our nieces and nephew lived closer. They would LOVE these. Alas, I’ll just have to make them next time I visit.
I love that these rainbow shortbread bites are totally customizable, too. A simple change in the color of the sprinkles and you’re set for any holiday or event. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Christmas, a baby shower, or even game day get-togethers with the colors of your favourite sports team.
These Rainbow shortbread bites are pure bite-sized deliciousness that’s easy and fun to make. How can you say no?!
Rainbow shortbread Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp almond or vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 tsp sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silpat mats.
- Line an 8" x 8" square pan with parchment - allow for some overhang.
- Beat butter and sugar until creamy, add almond/vanilla extract and mix well.
- Reduce speed to low and add flour, salt, & sprinkles and mix until incorporated. Press mixture into a ball and knead a couple of times until it comes together.
- Press evenly into square pan and chill for 30mins.
- Lift dough from pan by using the overhanging parchment. Cut into 1/2" squares.
- Place on prepared baking sheets and bake one sheet at a time for approx 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Chill other sheet while one is baking.
- Cool completely on pans and store an airtight container.
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Notes
Erin says
I made these yesterday, but I don’t think they turned out right. The dough was very crumbly and dry, and I had to add a splash of milk to get it to come together. I doubled the recipe to fit into a 9 by 13-inch pan, but it was spread out really thin, so I made a bit more dough. I refrigerated them and freezes them after cutting, but they didn’t completely hold their shape in the oven. They had a taste and texture more like sugar cookies than shortbread. It was okay, but of course not what I expected. Do you think it was because of the milk addiction? U wonder if the butter could be melted, or partially melted, so the dough comes together better, and then refrigerate for longer?
Olivia says
Hi Erin! It’s hard for me to say exactly as you modified the recipe a bit. The dough came together perfectly for me, but perhaps there was an error when you increased the recipe or added more dough? Did you chill them again before baking?
Erin says
Yes, I chilled them in the freezer after cutting them and putting them on the baking sheet.
Kelly says
I know shortbread has that lovely buttery taste, but is there an option to use coconut oil here?
Olivia says
Hi Kelly! I haven’t tried it myself, I worry that they wouldn’t hold their shape as much as coconut oil has a lower melting point than butter.
Brandie says
Can i make these with sugar cookie mix
Olivia says
Hi Brandie! Provided your sugar cookie mix doesn’t spread, I think it could work?
linda t says
I would love to make these
BUT –hubby can’t eat the non-pareils, they are too hard. Can I substitute sparking sugar?
Olivia says
Hi Linda! I think that would work fine 🙂 I hope you like them!
Maggie says
I used crushed candy canes ..so good and colourful,!
Another batch skorr bits through dough and on top ..awesome !!
Olivia says
Hi Maggie! I love those alternatives!
Aliya Ahmed says
Could I just shape and bake to make regular shortbread cookies? I’ve been searching high and low for a shortbread cookie recipe but just cant seem to find one!
Olivia says
Hi Aliya! You could totally make them as regular shortbread cookies 🙂 Let me know how you like them!
Hannah says
It’s kind of late for a comment on this recipe but I’m SO GLAD I’m not the only person frustrated with new Weight Watchers. I used it a few years ago with AMAZING success that was ultimately thwarted by an illness. I re signed up this month and am very irritated. I used to use a Dunkin Donuts small iced coffee with cream and sugar as a treat. It was 4 points. Now it’s 7. SEVEN! And my daily points haven’t increased either. I’m constantly starving and frustrated on this new plan. I’m consuming under 1000 calories some days and I’m so discouraged. I understand making better choices, but I’m also so exhausted and discouraged constantly that it’s difficult. Things like a grilled chicken sandwich that used to be a safe restaurant staple are now ridiculously high in points. It’s hard to believe that a team of experts and nutritionists could have thought this new plan was a good idea.
Olivia says
Hi Hannah! So frustrating, right? I’m still annoyed by it AND the fact that I’ve unsubscribed from their emails 3 times and they still keep sending me crap. What I don’t understand is why they wouldn’t give people the option to use the older plan — I’m sure there are others like us that preferred it. I understand that they are trying to get people to make healthier choices, but maybe leave that up to me? I can make my own choices, thank you very much. And for a diet to work for me, I have to allow myself some “treats”. The fact that our little coffee uses up a quarter of our points is a joke. I don’t think I will ever go back to WW.
Jen Arbuckle says
Love these!!! I was wondering can I put chocolate chips instead of sprinkles? or even just forgo the sprinkles? Will they taste good on their own?
Olivia says
Hi Jen! They would taste great on their own for sure! Just like shortbread cookies. I’m not sure about the chocolate chips…I feel like that should work ok as long as they were the minis 🙂
Jessica says
Made them tonight with a Valentines Day “theme” to them. I tripled the recipie, spread the dough onto my biggest baking sheet, stuck them in the fridge and used my pizza cutter to cut them into 1 inch-ish squares and baked away! They are yummy even without baking them but are soo delicious fresh out of the oven! Thanks for sharing this deliciousness!! 🙂
Olivia says
Wow awesome Jessica!! Tripled the recipe omg, that is rainbow bite heaven!! 😀
Mai says
Cute! I used a pizza cutter, which made it so much easier! Thanks for the recipe!
Olivia says
Genius!! That is a great idea, thanks Mai!
Bethanu says
Does this recipe really yield 256 bites? I hope that’s a typo..because if it isn’t then I’m about to eat for 256 people…
Olivia says
LOL, it DOES yield 256, but they are teeny tiny. Like, the size of a dime. I know it seems like a lot (especially when you’re transferring them to the baking sheet!), but if they were normal sized the recipe would probably make about 16 cookies :).
Bethany says
Okay that makes me feel a bit better!! I lent my 8×8 to a friend and had to use a 7×9 so they were a bit thicker than I imagine they would normally be. Also I cut them too big so there were even fewer..oops! These are absolute delicious and I will definitely be making these again! Thanks for your response!
-Bethany
Olivia says
Yay! So glad you liked them Bethany!! 🙂
cheryl says
No they do not! Not if you want what you see in the photo! Double the batch. Trust me because this didn’t even spread across my 8×8 pan with out beingpaper thin.
Olivia says
Hi Cheryl, there must have been something off with your measurements or your pan is larger than 8×8.
Fannie says
Sounds great and I’m making them right now but you left out when to add the salt! I added with other dry ingredients. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Olivia says
Hi Fannie! Thanks for catching that. Yes, it goes with the other dry ingredients :). I hope you like these!
Fannie says
These are addictive!
Olivia says
I know!! So yummy.
Sandi says
Can you freeze them? They look great and it would be good to have something little to nibble on and freezing would stop me eating all of them in one go!
Olivia says
Hi Sandi! Yes, totally freezable 🙂 I actually froze these myself. But be warned, they are so good I ate them straight out of the freezer! Lol.
Michelle says
Hi Liv,
I’m wanting to make this cuties and pack them as little treats in my daughter’s lunch box. I wonder how long they will keep though. And when you say half a cup of butter, what would that be in grams?
Thanks so much 🙂
Olivia says
Hi Michelle! Half a cup of butter is 113g. The cookies keep quite long (at least a week) and freeze really well. So you can make a big batch and just take them out when you need them :). Hope that helps!
Michelle says
thank you for replying, I will try making it this weekend and will tag you on instagram 🙂
Olivia says
Awesome, can’t wait to see how they turn out! 😀
Jacquie says
They were great! And super easy. They were a hit at the recital! Thanks for sharing this one!
Olivia says
Yay! 😀
Jacquie says
They are going in the oven in about 15 minutes. So easy to make and probably so easy to eat too! I’m taking them to a student piano recital tomorrow afternoon!
Olivia says
Ohh, let me know how they turn out!!
June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says
Awwww those are so cute!!! Almost too cute to eat. Love this idea, I bet these would be a hit at a party 🙂
Olivia says
Yes! Perfect for parties 🙂 Or movie nights, or just about whenever! Thanks June <3
Pam says
So cute! I learned a roll-out cookie dough trick years ago and use it all the time.
Place your cookie dough in a large freezer bag. Spread the dough in a somewhat-even layer in the bag. Lay the bag on the countertop and use a rolling pin to even it all out.
From there, I’ll place the bag in the fridge to chill or right to the freezer for future baking. When you’re ready to bake, take the bag out and cut/peel off the freezer bag. Use a bench scraper or long sharp knife to cut into desired pieces.
I hope those instructions make sense lol I think this technique would work well with this recipe. Also, less clean-up!
Olivia says
That is an awesome tip, Pam! I will definitely try that next time 🙂
Jacquie says
Hi Liv! I plan to make them soon, maybe this weekend.?
Olivia says
Yay! I hope you love them 🙂
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
These are super cute, but oh so dangerous, my friend! I made a batch to go into my gift boxes for the holidays and had I been able to keep my food down at that point I would have eaten them all. All the best to you and the mister with your get fit plans!
Olivia says
SO dangerous. Oh, they’re tiny, I’ll just have a few… handfuls (as my husband says ;)). xo!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
These are so adorable, Olivia. I’d eat like 50 million and then count ’em as like, 5 points. Or 4. I mean, they’re tiny. Right?
Olivia says
LOL no kidding, totally 4 points (cough). xo!
Brandie says
Could i do this using sugar cookie mix
Olivia says
Hi Brandie! Provided your sugar cookie mix doesn’t spread, I think it could work?
Jacquie says
These are soon cute and perfect size?. I think I may have to make these soon! And the weight watcher thing, I’m following it and so far so good on the revised plan. Lost 4.2 lbs in one week! Fitbit keeping me motivated too!
Olivia says
That is awesome Jacquie!! I’m glad it’s working for you. Fitbit helps too — that’s one of my issues, I don’t move around enough, need to get more exercise! Let me know if you end up making these :D.
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Seriously?! I can’t EVEN! These are the cutest thing I have ever seen! Pinned.
Olivia says
Jess, you are literally the sweetest. Thank you!! <3
charityk says
yumm
Olivia says
SO yum :D.