Baking & Pastry > Cookies > Rolled & Cut-Out Cookies > Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Classic Shortbread Cookies

A simple yet delightful recipe for classic shortbread cookies that are buttery, crumbly, and perfect for any occasion. This recipe uses just a few ingredients and is easy to customize with different flavors and shapes.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
12-15 minutes
Servings
Approximately 24 cookies
Ingredients
  • 225 g All-purpose flour
  • 170 g Unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 75 g Granulated sugar
  • 1 pinch Pinch of salt

Prepare the Dough

First, in a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step, pulsing until the mixture is crumbly.

Add Sugar and Mix

Add the granulated sugar to the flour and butter mixture. Mix until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. The dough should be smooth and slightly crumbly.

Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten it into a disc. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

Roll and Cut the Cookies

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes. Alternatively, you can cut the dough into squares or rectangles with a knife or pastry wheel.

Bake the Cookies

Carefully transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Keep a close eye on them, as they can burn easily.

Cool and Enjoy

Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container. They will keep for several days.

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FAQ

  • Can I use salted butter?

    If you use salted butter, omit the pinch of salt in the recipe.
  • Can I add flavorings to the dough?

    Yes, you can add flavorings such as vanilla extract, lemon zest, or almond extract. Add about 1 teaspoon of extract or the zest of one lemon to the dough along with the sugar.
  • Why are my cookies spreading too much?

    Make sure your butter is cold and that you chill the dough for at least 30 minutes. Overmixing the dough can also cause spreading.
  • How do I store the cookies?

    Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will keep for several days.