Shortbread Cookie Recipe
One Shortbread Recipe Made Four Ways
Everyone needs one really great shortbread cookie recipe. This is that recipe, soft and not too sweet, with load of buttery smooth goodness. Here is my shortbread recipe I have made for decades and everyone raves about, then I added four ways you can make shortbread cookies with chocolate, shortbread jam cookies, shortbread pecan cookies with rolo chocolates, and pistachio cranberry shortbread cookies.
When the boys were all home and the house was constantly full of guest coming and going my habit was to make double batches of this shortbread cookie recipe and it all went so fast. Sadly those days are gone only to be replaced with “That looks so delicious but I am fat…I really would like too but….”
So for this year, I came up with a plan. Instead of making four separate batches of different cookies ending up with several dozen. I made one shortbread cookie recipe and split it into small batches for variety. This shortbread cookie recipe makes 48 shortbread cookies.
What Are Shortbread Cookies?
Shortbread cookies originated in Scotland and are traditionally made with butter, sugar, and flour. Unlike most cookies, shortbread cookies doesnt have baking powder or baking soda. This and the sweet butter makes shortbread cookies very tender – the sign of a good shortbread cookie is it melts in your mouth.
These days shortbread cookies seem very simple to make and they are. But just imagine how labour intensive this recipe would be if you were churning the butter and oh my gosh, making cornstarch. Its no wonder its a once a year tradition.
Shortbread Cookie Recipe
1 c real butter (not margarine)
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
3 cup flour
1/2 cup corn starch
Depending on which shortbread variation you want to try, you will need small amounts of dipping chocolate, cranberries, rolo pieces, chocolate chips, pecans, yogurt chips, or jam.
How to Make the Shortbread Cookies
Place the butter in a mixer bowl and beat on high until fluffy, it will turn a light yellow colour.
Add the sugar and continue beating for another five minutes to totally dissolve the sugar.
Add the salt and vanilla and beat until very well blended.
Finally, add the flour and the cornstarch. Mix until blended.
Bake the cookies at 275 degrees for about half an hour. Take them out before they brown.
Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate
This is a very striking cookie with the white shortbread cookie peaking out from a luscious layer of chocolate. s
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Take 1/4 of the dough. Roll into small balls and press flat with the palm of your hand. Bake. Melt 1/2 cup of dipping chocolate. Once the cookies are cool dip half the cookie into the chocolate and place on parchment paper. Place in the fridge to cool.
Rolo, Pecan, Chocolate Chip Shortbread
You can add just the pecans and make shortbread pecan cookies. Or make shortbread chocolate chip cookies, but it is Christmas so I went for the gusto and made them with both, and added some Rolo chocolate bar bits for extra measure.
Take 1/4 of the dough. Add 1/4 c mini rolo chocolate pieces, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Bake at 275 until done. Place on parchment paper to cool.
Cranberry, Pistachio and Yogurt Shortbread
Not everyone loves chocolate, so these are a really great Christmas cookie idea using cranberries and pistchios. I had some yogurt bits as well so they went in for a little bit extra sweetness.
Take 1/4 of the dough. Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup chopped pistachios and 1/4 cup yogurt chips. Bake at 275 until done.
Shortbread Jam Cookies
These shortbread jam cookies are another variety that is really pretty when sitting on a tray. I love using raspberry or strawberry jam in mine for Christmas, but apricot jam would be very good as welll.
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Take 1/4 of the cookie dough. Roll into small balls and using your thumb make a thumbprint in the middle of each cookie. Fill with a dab of jam, I used raspberry but any jam you like is fine. Bake at 275 until done.
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This gives the family an assortment and I won’t need to store so many different dozens of cookies in my freezer.
How to Store Shortbread Cookies
Store your shortbread cookies in an airtight container like a cookie jar or pretty Christmas tin. If you want your shortbread cookies to last more than a week, I suggest storing them in the fridge. Just make sure they are very well sealed, too much moisture and the cookies will lose that melt in your mouth quality.
Can You Freeze Shortbread Cookies?
For sure you can freeze shortbread cookies. Let your shortbread cookies cool completely before packaging. Place them in a sealed freezer container with parchment paper between each layer. I would avoid storing shortbread cookies in the freezer inside of a freezer bag, they can be quite tender and its better to be safe than sorry and end up with a bag of shortbread crumbs. Shortbread cookies can freeze for up to three months. Making it a great recipe for early Christmas planning.
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Shortbread Cookie Recipe and Four Variations
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter not margarine
- ⅔ cup white sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- jam, pistachio, cranberries, rolo, chocolate chips, pecans Depends on the variation(s) you choose to make.
Instructions
- Place the butter in the mixer bowl and beat on high until fluffy, it will turn a light yellow colour.
- Add the sugar and continue beating for another five minutes to totally dissolve the sugar.
- Add the salt and vinegar and beat until very well blended.
- Finally, add the flour and the cornstarch. Mix until blended.
- Bake the cookies at 275 degrees for about half an hour. Take them out before they brown.
- You will need small amounts of dipping chocolate, cranberries, rolo pieces, chocolate chips, pecans, yogurt chips, and jam.
Chocolate Dipped Shortbread
- Take 1/4 of the dough. Roll into small balls and press flat with the palm of your hand. Bake. Melt 1/2 cup of dipping chocolate. Once the cookies are cool dip half the cookie into the chocolate and place on parchment paper. Place in the fridge to cool.
Rolo, Pecan and Chocolate Chip Shortbread
- Take 1/4 of the dough. Add 1/4 c mini rolo chocolate pieces, 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Bake at 275 until done.
Cranberry, Pistachio and Yogurt Shortbread
- Take 1/4 of the dough. Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup chopped pistachios and 1/4 cup yogurt chips. Bake at 275 until done.
Jam Filled Shortbread
- Take 1/4 of the cookie dough. Roll into small balls and using your thumb make a thumbprint in the middle of each cookie. Fill with a dab of jam, I used raspberry but any jam you like is fine. Bake at 275 until done.
Other Amazing Recipes with Shortbread
Traditional Whipped Shortbread
Light and airy whipped shortbread recipe with lots of buttery flavour. It melts in the mouth just like classic shortbread.
Special Shortbread Macaroon Cookies
These special Shortbread Macaroon Cookies take a few steps to make, but are nothing less than amazing. Fancy enough for any gatherings, Christmas or New Years. Simply YUM.
Apple Shortbread Squares
Apple flavours are not abundant at Christmas time, these Apple Shortbread Squares are something a bit different for the holidays.