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    Home » All recipes » Easy Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    Published: Dec 19, 2020 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Easy Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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    Easy shortbread cookies recipe that makes use of just 3 ingredients and is simple to make. These classic shortbread biscuits are the best! buttery, crumbly, and delicious. Perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or use in dessert.

    shortbread biscuits served on a white plate.

    I love classic shortbread cookies! It was my favorite growing up as a kid. I could never have enough of All butter Shortbread, the buttery, crumbly, melt in your mouth biscuits.

    All butter shortbread is melt in your mouth good. This is one of the biscuits I have in my pantry at all times as we all love it in my family.

    It's handy for tea time or as use in my no bake dessert which I'll be sharing the recipe with you soon.

    This homemade shortbread cookies recipe is all you need to create your own easy shortbread cookies. It takes just 3 ingredients and it's ready in minutes. Let me show you how I make the best shortbread cookies from scratch. 

    classic shortbread biscuits displayed.

    What is Shortbread

    Shortbread is a Scottish cookies/biscuits that is made with butter, sugar and flour and sometimes ingredients like cornflour and rice flour are added.

    It is buttery and crumbly in texture and is associated with Christmas. The most common shape is rectangular called shortbread fingers and it also comes in round and heart shape.

    The popular brands are Patterson's, Mcvities, Walker's shortbread biscuit.

    Shortbread Cookies Recipe (Shortbread Biscuits)

    This shortbread recipe makes use of just 3 ingredients - Butter, sugar and flour. This recipe gives the right balance of the ingredients to give you buttery,crumbly and not overly sweet cookies. You will love it.

    It is inexpensive, easy and fun to make.

    This is a quick recipe and aside the time to chill the dough in the fridge, it takes less than 30 minutes to bake.

    You can make it ahead and store. It's perfect for any occassion and not just for Christmas.

    Shortbread makes a great snack served with a cup of milk, tea, or coffee.

    There are two ways to shape the cookies, i have detailed the simple method for those who do not have a 9x baking pan.

    shortbread cookies on a white plate.

    TOOLS YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE ARE:

    Elecric mixer

    Mixing bowl

    Knife or cookie cutter

    Baking paper

    Baking tray

    Ingredients

    The three ingredients you need for this recipe are:

    Butter- Use good quality butter.

    Caster Sugar - If you don't have caster sugar, you can blend granulated sugar to make caster sugar.

    Flour - Plain flour also called all purpose flour.

    Ingredients for the cookies displayed.

    How to Make Shortbread Cookies (Shortbread Biscuits)

    First measure out the ingredients using a weighing scale for accurate measurements.

    Add the softened butter and caster sugar in a bowl and use an electric hand mixer to beat till it's fluffy.

    Creamed butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.

    Then add in the all-purpose flour and mix till it's combined. Use your hand to mold into one piece of dough.

    Flour added in the butter/sugar mix.

    Wrap the dough in a cling film and put in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes.

    Dough molded into a piece.

    Bring out the dough and roll it out with a rolling pin then use a cutter or hand-cut into 12 rectangular shapes.

    Cookie dough rolled out.

    Arrange the cut dough on a baking sheet lined tray then use a fork to poke holes in them before dusting the cookies with caster sugar.

    shortbread Dough shaped into rectanglar shapes and placed on baking tray.

    Bake in the oven at a temperature of 150C for 20 minutes.

    When the cookies are baked, bring them out of the oven and leave to cool.

    shortbread cookies served on two white plates.

    Serve or store in a cool dry place.

    What do you eat Shortbread With

    Serve shortbread with

    Milk

    Coffee such as whipped coffee, hot coffee, etc.

    Hot chocolate - Nothing says Christmas like a cup of hot chocolate and shortbread cookies.

    Use in desserts.

    How to Store

    To store shortbread cookies, you will need an airtight container or Ziploc. It is important you leave the biscuits to cool completely before you store them. When the cookies are well and completely cooled, put in the air-tight container, label, and store in a cool dry place. Shortbread will last for 3 months or more.

    classic shortbread biscuits displayed.

    Tips for making Shortbread Cookies

    • The dough can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wrap in clingfilm before storing in the fridge. 
    • Use good quality butter and soften before use.
    • Chill the dough for at least 15 minutes for the best outcome. If you have the time you can chill the dough twice (before shaping and after shaping).
    • Bake at a low temperature so the biscuits bake evenly and remain light in color when cooked.
    • You can blend granulated sugar to make caster sugar. 
    • The traditional shape is a rectangle however you can make it into any shape you desire. 
    • Store baked cookies in a cool dry place.

    FAQ

    What sugar is best for shortbread

    I find caster sugar to be the best type of sugar for shortbread cookies and will give a texture that is similar to brands like Patterson and Walker shortbread. Powder sugar/ icing sugar can also be used with a good outcome.

    Why do you chill shortbread before cooking?

    Putting the dough in the fridge to chill makes the dough pliable for cutting into shape and also gives the buttery crumbly texture that classic shortbread cookies are known for.

    How long does homemade shortbread last?

    It will last up to 3 months if properly stored in an airtight container. Remember the frequency with which you open the container and let air in affects the texture. If the container is opened too often it might cause the cookies to soften.

    How do you know when shortbread is cooked? 

    The edges will start to turn slightly light brown and It won't be wet. The colour when cooked should be light in colour and not brown. If it is brown then you've baked it for too long.

    the shortbread cookies displayed on 2 white plates with grey napkin and red flower pot in background..

    More Baking Recipes On The Blog

    Sausage rolls

    Meat pie

    Bread rolls

    Moist Chocolate Cake

    Victoria Sponge Cake

    Vanilla buttercream

    Chocolate buttercream

    I hope you like this recipe as much as I do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    shortbread cookies on a white plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Easy Shortbread Cookies Recipe

    Easy shortbread cookies recipe that makes use of just 3 ingredients and is simple to make. These classic shortbread biscuits are the best! buttery, crumbly, and delicious. Perfect with a cup of coffee, tea, or used in dessert.
    Prep Time35 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time55 mins
    Course: Appetizer, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: British
    Keyword: best shortbread biscuits recipe, easy shortbread recipe, how to make shortbread cookies, shortbread, shortbread cookies
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 140kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Ingredients

    • 120 g Butter
    • 50 g Caster Sugar
    • 160 g Plain Flour (All purpose flour)
    • 1 tablespoon Caster sugar for dusting

    Instructions

    • First measure out the ingredients using a weighing scale for accurate measurements.
      Ingredients for the cookies displayed.
    • Add the softened butter and caster sugar in a bowl and use an electric hand mixer to beat till it's fluffy.
      Creamed butter and sugar in a mixing bowl.
    • Add in the all-purpose flour and mix till it's combined. Use your hand to mold into one piece of dough.
      Wrap the dough in a cling film and put in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes
      Flour added in the butter/sugar mix.
    • Bring out the dough and roll it out with a rolling pin then use a cutter or hand-cut into 12 rectangular shapes.
      Arrange the cut dough on a baking sheet lined tray then use a fork to poke holes in them before dusting the cookies with caster sugar.
      rolled out dough.
    • Bake in the oven at a temperature of 150C for 20 minutes.
      Dough shaped into rectanglar shapes and placed on baking tray.
    • When the shortbread cookies are baked, bring out of the oven and leave to cool.
      Serve or store in a cool dry place.
      shortbread cookies on a white plate.

    Notes

    TIPS
    • The dough can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Wrap in clingfilm before storing in the fridge. 
    • Use good quality butter and soften before use.
    • Chill the dough for at least 15 minutes for the best outcome. If you have the time you can chill the dough twice (before shaping and after shaping).
    • Bake at a low temperature so the biscuits bake evenly and remain light in color when cooked.
    • You can blend granulated sugar to make caster sugar. 
    • The traditional shape is a rectangle however you can make it into any shape you desire. 
    • Store baked cookies in a cool dry place.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

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    79 shares
    79 shares