Save Buttery, crumbly, and delicately sweet, these classic shortbread cookies rely on just three simple ingredients to create a melt-in-your-mouth treat perfect for any occasion.
I first made these cookies for my family during a cozy winter evening, and everyone was amazed by how such a basic recipe could deliver so much buttery flavor and tenderness.
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Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (225 g), softened
- Powdered sugar: ½ cup (60 g)
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
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Instructions
- Prepare oven and baking sheet:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar:
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add flour:
- Gradually add the flour, mixing until a soft, crumbly dough forms.
- Knead dough:
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until it just comes together.
- Roll and shape:
- Roll the dough out to about ½ inch (1.25 cm) thickness. Cut into rectangles, rounds, or shapes as desired.
- Arrange and prick:
- Place the cookie shapes on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Prick each cookie a few times with a fork for a classic shortbread appearance.
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden (do not brown).
- Cool:
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Save Every holiday season, my kids love helping cut these cookies into fun shapes, and they always become the centerpiece of our dessert table.
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Required Tools
Mixing bowl, electric mixer or wooden spoon, rolling pin, cookie cutter or knife, baking sheet, parchment paper, wire rack.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (butter) and gluten (wheat flour). Always double-check ingredient labels if you have allergies or sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Each cookie contains about 100 calories, 6 g fat, 11 g carbohydrates, and 1 g protein.
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Enjoy these buttery shortbread cookies with tea or coffee. They make delightful homemade gifts, too.
Recipe FAQ
- → What gives shortbread its crumbly texture?
The high butter content combined with just enough flour creates a tender, crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
- → Can I add flavors to the dough?
Yes, vanilla extract or a pinch of sea salt can enhance the dough's flavor without altering its classic texture.
- → How do I prevent the edges from overbaking?
Bake at a moderate temperature and watch closely until edges turn lightly golden but not brown to maintain softness.
- → What shapes can be used for cutting shortbread?
Classic rectangles, rounds, or any cookie cutter shapes work well; spacing helps even baking and crisp edges.
- → How should I store these cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to one week.
