Classic Shortbread Cookies
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Classic Shortbread Cookies made with only takes 3 ingredients, mouthwatering, buttery and melt in your mouth delicious. A classic holiday cookie, made two ways!
Let the baking begin!
I love this time of year. I get to bake lots of cookies and share it with all my friends and family. Baking around the holidays is so nostalgic for me. I love to bake in my kitchen as I listen to Christmas music. Sometimes the same song over and over, because I have a handful of Christmas songs that I absolutely love or simply watch Christmas movies.
I got this recipe years ago from a friend of mine who got it from her mom, so I know this recipe works as it’s been made over and over again over the years. I, myself, make every single year around the holidays, multiple times and it’s one of my family’s favorite cookie recipes now.
Shortbread Cookies
These shortbread cookies are simply the best around. Your house will smell incredible, I couldn’t wait till they came out of the oven, just desperately needed to put one in my mouth as soon as possible.
These cookies are great with a glass of milk, and I personally love them with my coffee in the morning. That’s my kind of breakfast, a yummy cookie and a good cup of joe.
But let’s face it, who can have just one cookie? You need to have at least a couple cookies, and I usually do.
How to Make Shortbread Cookies
This simple recipe for classic shortbread cookies calls for only 3 ingredients my friends, only 3 ingredients and you get to have the most delectable, buttery and sweet shortbread cookie you’ll ever have in your life. We’re talking butter, sugar and flour, that’s all!
And if you’re really brave, unlike me right now, dip them in some melted chocolate, that’s my husband’s way of eating them. Are you with me?
Or, simply drizzle some caramel sauce, or chocolate sauce, or a light dusting of powdered sugar. And dip, dip in your coffee, or tea, or even hot cocoa. I think I need to go downstairs, I have an appointment with my cookies.
Help me!
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Can You Freeze Shortbread Cookies
Yes, absolutely! These cookies freeze incredibly well. To freeze, place shortbread cookies in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Craving More Cookies? Try These:
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Sugar Cookies
- Thumbprint Cookies
- Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Pecan Pie Cookies
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Classic Shortbread Cookies
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 30 mins
Serves: 36
Classic Shortbread Cookies made with only takes 3 ingredients, mouthwatering, buttery and melt in your mouth delicious. A classic holiday cookie, made two ways!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups butter salted and softened at room temperature (3 sticks or 12 oz)
- 1 cup icing sugar same as confectioner sugar or powdered sugar (4.4 oz)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (13.2 oz)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 F degrees.
- Add the butter to a large bowl and blend it until smooth using an electric mixer set at medium speed for about 30 seconds.
- Add the icing sugar and continue mixing until well incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and combine thoroughly.
- Add flour and mix at low speed until well blended. The mixture will be crumbled and soft.
- Pat dough into an ungreased cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper, with the parchment paper hanging off the sides to make it easy to lift out the cookies. Alternatively you can roll out the dough so that it's about 1/4 of an inch in thickness, you can knead it a bit just so that the dough comes together, but don't overwork it, then cut into your desired shape.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until just done (slightly golden in color). Do not let them get brown. Remove from the oven. If using a cookie sheet, lift out the cookies from the sheet using the parchment paper and cut into desired shapes. Finish cooling the cookies on a rack.
Video
Recipe Notes
Because I'm using salted butter there's no need to add salt to the recipe, if you only have unsalted butter, add about 1/4 tsp salt to the recipe. I used this shortbread cookie cutter. For the video I divided the dough in half and used one half in an 8x8 inch baking pan lined with parchment paper, and rolled the rest to use with the cookie cutter. This recipe will yield about 36 cookies. To freeze, place shortbread cookies in an airtight container and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used. Â
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1cookieCalories: 118kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 11g (4%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 7g (11%)Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)Cholesterol: 20mg (7%)Sodium: 67mg (3%)Potassium: 13mgSugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 235IU (5%)Calcium: 4mgIron: 0.5mg (3%)
Ro Stenclik says
My little boy and I made these together. We love shortbread cookies. These are by far the best shortbread cookies we have ever had. Thank you so much for this recipe!
Freda Margaret Yannetti says
I am not a wonderful baker – far from it – this was easy – and delicious.
Sandy oneill says
I love shortbread but i have never seen or made lemon. My daughter Cindy will be suprised when i send cookies up and don’t tell her they are lemon. I know your recipe is good. Thank you and hope to find more.
Jo Cooks Team says
That is so sweet! We hope she loves them 🙂
Jenna Watkins says
I can’t wait to try a small batch! These will be perfect with a cup of my favorite tea – honey vanilla chamomile.
Question: Can the batter be mixed with a hand mixer or a food processor? I don’t have a stand mixer.
Jo Cooks Team says
Yes either of those will work! Enjoy 🙂
Diane Granstrom says
Wow! Easy! Delicious! Thanks for sharing!
sheila says
Hope you can help me. I found a recipe I’d like to try but I’m unable to print it. Can you help me?
Nicole Beaulieu says
At the very top of the page for whichever recipe you’d like to print, underneath the name of the recipe, there are 3 big yellow buttons. The one to the far right says “Print Recipe”.
You can also print from the recipe card (where the ingredient amounts and instructions are). Under the star rating you’ll see a big print button.
Jeffrey Wong says
My first ever shortbread cookies. You helped me nail it!
So tasty! Works great with whole wheat flour, too! Both freeze well!
Michele says
This is a great recipe the cookies turned out great !! Soft and delicious