Traditional Whipped Shortbread Recipe
Traditional Whipped Shortbread Recipe
This traditional whipped shortbread recipe has been a family favorite since I first discovered it as a teenager. Its so old I cannot remember where I first found it. I made this whipped shortbread recipe every year for at least 20 years, and then forgot about it in favor of rolled shortbread that I could dip in chocolate.
When I saw this old recipe card I decided to make the plain drop shortbread this year, and I am so glad I did. Don’t let the simplicity of this recipe fool you, it really makes the best melting shortbread.
These cookies are so light and fluffy, and contain no chocolate, nuts, eggs, or food colouring. A traditional Christmas recipe that is always a welcome treat on your holiday dessert trays. Surprisingly these cookies were the first treats my granddaughters take from the dessert tray, they prefer them to the other sweeter cookies.
Unlike rolled shortbread, this whipped shortbread is for a simple drop cookie, and therefore very easy to make. They literally melt in your mouth.
Whipped Shortbread Ingredients
1 lb butter
1 cup icing sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 cups flour
Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Place the butter in a large bowl, and whip on high until light in colour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the icing sugar, and whip on high for a minute. Scrape down the sides.
Add the vanilla, and whip until incorporated.
Add the cornstarch and flour. Start on low (reduces flour dust), once the flour is incorporated turn the mixer on high and let beat for at least 3 minutes until it forms a soft dough.
Note: If your dough is crumbly, add a couple extra tbsp of butter and remix. I have a habit of being generous with the way I measure (oops) so I often need to add a little more butter because I was too generous with the flour.
Spoon onto a cookie sheet with a spoon or cookie scoop. I actually prefer to use a spoon as it makes the cookie resemble clouds. I placed a smartie in the middle of half of them, and then baked at 325 F for 15 – 20 minutes until just lightly golden. Be careful not to over bake.
Alternatively you can pipe the dough using a large pastry bag and a cupcake sized tip. It certainly is not necessary.
These cookies store very well in a sealed container. The cookie flavour intensifies as the cookies age. I like to make them two weeks in advance and hide them in an air tight container. They also freeze very well. You do not want to freeze them in a bag to avoid crushing.
Traditional Whipped Shortbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb butter not margarine
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla or to taste
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 3 cups white flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the butter in a large bowl, and whip on high until light in colour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the icing sugar, and whip on high for a minute. Scrape down the sides.
- Add the vanilla, and whip until incorporated.
- Add the cornstarch and flour. Start on low (reduces flour dust), once the flour is incorporated turn the mixer on high and let beat for at least 3 minutes until it forms a soft dough. Note: If your dough stays crumbly, add a couple extra tbsp of butter and remix. Alternatively you can pipe the dough using a large pastry bag and a cupcake sized tip. It certainly is not necessary.
- Spoon onto a cookie sheet with a spoon or cookie scoop. I placed a smartie in the middle of half of them, and then baked at 325 F for 15 - 20 minutes until just lightly golden. Be careful not to over bake.