Buttery Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Add Preferred SourceIf you’re looking for a cookie that’s as simple to make as it is delicious, these Shortbread Cookies are the perfect choice. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that taste like pure comfort. The best part? They come together quickly, so you can spend more time enjoying them and less time in the kitchen.
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Whether you’re enjoying Shortbread Cookies with your morning coffee, serving them at a holiday gathering, or packing them up as a sweet gift, these cookies hit the spot every time. In under 45 minutes and with 6 ingredients, you’ll love making these crowd-pleasing cookies. Perfect for the holidays, tailgating, and bake sales, you’ll want to make these again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Perfect Buttery Shortbread with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Just follow my simple instructions and you’ll soon be enjoying homemade shortbread cookies.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
Start by blending the butter and powdered sugar together until you get a smooth, creamy mixture. Add vanilla for that extra hint of flavor. This step ensures a light, tender cookie that’s bursting with buttery goodness.
Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Sift together the flour, cornstarch, and salt, then gradually add them to the butter mixture. You don’t want to overmix—just enough to combine everything into a dough.
Don’t worry if it seems crumbly at first; that’s totally normal!
Shape and Slice the Dough
Gather your dough on a clean surface and gently press it into a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut it into ½-inch-thick slices. These will become your perfectly portioned shortbread cookies.
Prepare the Cookies for Baking
Place your dough slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between them. Use a fork to gently press holes into the top—this adds a nice design and helps them bake evenly.
Bake Until Just Golden
Pop your trays into the oven at 320°F and bake for about 16-17 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You’re looking for the edges to just start turning golden, which means they’re perfectly baked and ready to melt in your mouth.
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
Cool and Serve
Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool right on the baking sheet. They might feel soft at first, but as they cool, they’ll firm up beautifully.
Once they’re fully cooled, enjoy every crumbly buttery bite!
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Room-Temperature Butter: Using softened butter makes the dough easier to mix and results in that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Crumbly Dough Fix: If your dough is too crumbly, pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften it up a bit. It’ll come together easily after that.
- Even Slices: Try to slice the cookies as evenly as possible, so they all bake perfectly at the same time.
- Fork Design: The fork marks on top aren’t just for looks—they let steam escape, helping the cookies stay crisp.
- Golden Edges: For the best flavor, take the cookies out of the oven when the edges just begin to turn golden. It’s the sweet spot between soft and crispy.
- Patience Is Key: Let the cookies cool completely before moving them. They’ll firm up as they sit, giving you the perfect crunchy bite.
- Storage Tip: Store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from going stale.
How to Store Leftover Shortbread Cookies
To keep your shortbread cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
If you want to save some for later, they freeze beautifully! Just place them in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll last up to three months.
When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw them out at room temperature, and they’ll be as delicious as the day you baked them.
What to Serve With Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread cookies are a match made in heaven with a hot cup of coffee or tea. For an extra treat, try serving them with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a drizzle of melted chocolate.
More Easy Cookie Recipes for You to Try at Home
If you love cookies, then take a look at these easy recipes.
- Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies
- Lemon Glazed Cookies
- Banana Pudding Cookies
- Lemon Blueberry Muffin Cookies
- Spiced Apple Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 1 cup unsalted butter plus 2 tablespoons at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 320°F (160°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract using an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. In a separate bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, and salt together. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring just until the dough comes together. The dough may be crumbly, but it will form a cohesive mass when pressed together.1 cup powdered sugar, 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3 cups all-purpose flour, ¼ cup cornstarch, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Transfer the dough to a clean surface and press it into a rectangle, roughly 1 inch thick and about 2 inches wide. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough into ½ inch thick slices. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each one. Gently press a fork into the tops of the cookies to create small holes.
- Bake for 16-17 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to turn golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, they’re ready to serve!
Notes
- Room-Temperature Butter: Using softened butter makes the dough easier to mix and results in that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Crumbly Dough Fix: If your dough is too crumbly, pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds to soften it up a bit. It’ll come together easily after that.
- Even Slices: Try to slice the cookies as evenly as possible, so they all bake perfectly at the same time.
- Fork Design: The fork marks on top aren’t just for looks—they let steam escape, helping the cookies stay crisp.
- Golden Edges: For the best flavor, take the cookies out of the oven when the edges just begin to turn golden. It’s the sweet spot between soft and crispy.
- Patience Is Key: Let the cookies cool completely before moving them. They’ll firm up as they sit, giving you the perfect crunchy bite.
- Storage Tip: Store your cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh and prevent them from going stale.
Nutrition
SERIOUSLY GOOD
DESSERTS!
Dessert First is a collection of 61 RECIPES to show you that you can make beautiful, impressive desserts right in your own kitchen, no matter your skill level.
Immediate eBook download. No physical book available.
Includes ad-free recipes like:
∙ Lemon Pound Cake
∙ Starbucks Cake Pops
∙ Boston Cream Pie
∙ Chocolate Mousse
∙ Matcha Tiramisu
...and much more!
