Quick Answer
The number of calories in hand dipped shortbread cookies can vary depending on the brand and the specific ingredients used. However, a typical serving (2 cookies) of hand dipped shortbread cookies contains around 140-180 calories.
Calorie Range for Hand Dipped Shortbread Cookies
Hand dipped shortbread cookies are a delicious holiday treat, but many people wonder just how many calories they contain. Here is an overview of the calorie range found in different brands of hand dipped shortbread cookies:
| Brand | Serving Size | Calories per Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperidge Farm | 2 cookies (30g) | 140 calories |
| Trader Joe’s | 2 cookies (28g) | 130 calories |
| Mrs. Fields | 2 cookies (30g) | 180 calories |
| Costco | 2 cookies (28g) | 160 calories |
As you can see, calorie counts range from 130-180 calories per standard 2 cookie serving. Factors like cookie size, thickness, and ingredients lead to this variance.
What Impacts the Calories in Hand Dipped Shortbread Cookies?
Several factors influence the calorie content in hand dipped shortbread cookies:
Base Dough
The dough used to make the shortbread cookie itself provides a significant amount of the calories. Shortbread dough contains butter, flour, and sugar which are all calorie-dense ingredients. More butter in the dough means more fat and calories per cookie.
Portion Size
Larger shortbread cookies mean more dough per cookie and more calories. A typical serving is 2 cookies, but cookies can range in diameter from 2-3 inches. Larger cookies pack in more calories.
Chocolate Coating
Many hand dipped cookies are coated in chocolate on one half of the cookie. The thickness of the chocolate coating and the type of chocolate both impact calories. Dark chocolate has minimally more calories than milk chocolate coatings. Thicker chocolate equals more calories.
Decorations
Some hand dipped shortbread cookies are decorated with sprinkles, icing, caramel drizzle, crushed candy canes, etc. These decorative add-ons contribute extra calories and sugar. Simple chocolate-dipped cookies have fewer calories than heavily decorated varieties.
Specialty Flavors
Seasonal flavors like pumpkin or peppermint introduce more calorie-containing ingredients like pumpkin puree or candy cane pieces to boost the calorie counts. Sticking with traditional chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies results in slightly lower calorie options.
Nutrition Facts for Hand Dipped Shortbread Cookies
To understand the full nutrition profile of hand dipped shortbread cookies, here are the detailed nutrition facts for a 2-cookie serving of Pepperidge Farm shortbread cookies with milk chocolate:
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 140 |
| Total Fat | 8g |
| Saturated Fat | 4.5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 105mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Total Sugars | 9g |
| Added Sugars | 9g |
| Protein | 1g |
As shown, a 2 cookie serving provides 140 calories, 18g of carbs, 9g of sugar, and 8g of fat. The majority of calories come from the fat in the shortbread dough and chocolate coating. There are no fiber, protein, or nutrients in these treats.
Strategies to Reduce Calories in Hand Dipped Shortbread Cookies
If you want to enjoy hand dipped shortbread cookies as part of a healthy diet, here are some tips to reduce the calorie count:
Opt for Smaller Cookies
Pay attention to cookie size and choose brands that make smaller diameter cookies to minimize calories per serving. Break larger cookies in half to consume a smaller portion.
Remove Half the Chocolate Coating
The chocolate coating significantly increases the calorie count. Remove the chocolate from half the cookie before eating it to reduce calorie intake.
Share with Others
Cut calories by sharing a serving of cookies with a friend or family member so you aren’t consuming the entire high-calorie serving yourself.
Substitute Ingredients
Make your own healthy shortbread cookies at home by swapping the butter for avocado oil and using date paste or stevia to reduce the sugar content.
Savor Mindfully
Practice mindful eating when enjoying hand dipped shortbread cookies. Pay attention to each bite and eat slowly so you feel satisfied with just 1 or 2 cookies versus mindlessly overindulging.
The Bottom Line
Hand dipped shortbread cookies typically contain around 140-180 calories per standard 2-cookie serving. Factors like cookie size, ingredients, and add-ons impact the precise calorie count. These delicious holiday treats can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, especially by utilizing portion control strategies to keep calories in check. Mindful eating and sharing with others are simple ways to indulge while limiting your calorie intake.