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A stack of delicious shortbread cookies on a parchment-lined tray, with additional shortbread cookies in the background.

Buttery Shortbread Cookies Recipe

These Shortbread Cookies are incredibly easy to make and deliver a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth experience. With just 6 simple ingredients, you can have a fresh batch ready in under 45 minutes. Whether for holiday gatherings, morning coffee, or as a sweet gift, these cookies are always a hit. Their quick prep time and crowd-pleasing flavor make them a recipe you'll turn to again and again.
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Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes
Course: cookies
Cuisine: Scotland
Keyword: Shortbread cookies
Servings: 16
Calories: 225kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate | Hungry Cooks Kitchen

Equipment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

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

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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