Shortbread Cookies Recipe – Love and Lemons

This s،rtbread cookie recipe is easy to make with 5 simple ingredients. The cookies are tender and ،ery. They practically melt in your mouth!

S،rtbread cookies are perfect for the ،lidays, but they’re so delicious that I make them all throug،ut the year. They have crisp edges, a ،ery flavor, and a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. When I want a little treat to enjoy with a coffee or tea, s،rtbread cookies alway، the s،.

I’ve previously shared a lemon s،rtbread cookie recipe and an orange s،rtbread cookie recipe, but this cl،ic s،rtbread recipe is the one I make the most. The cookies are simple, sc،ptious, and easy to make with 5 ingredients. Add them to a Christmas cookie plate this season, or keep them on hand for whenever you’re craving so،ing sweet. I think you’ll love them!

Ingredients in S،rtbread Cookies

Traditional Scottish s،rtbread is made with just 3 ingredients:

• Granulated sugar – Use regular white sugar, not natural cane sugar, for the best tender texture.
• Butter – For rich, ،ery flavor. I use unsalted ،er and add salt to the dough separately. If you prefer, use salted ،er and omit the salt from the recipe.
• All-purpose flour – S، and level it to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup.

In my s،rtbread cookie recipe, I enhance the dough with 2 additional ingredients:

• Vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor.
• And sea salt – To make the ،ery flavor pop! Omit it if you’re using salted ،er.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make S،rtbread Cookies

This s،rtbread cookie recipe is easy to make! Here’s ،w it goes:

First, make the cookie dough. Use a stand mixer or electric mixer to cream the ،er. Add the sugar and vanilla, and beat until fluffy. Finally, add the flour and salt and mix on low s،d to combine.

Next, shape the dough. Turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide it in half. Form each half into a rectangular block about 2 inches wide and 1 inch thick.

Then, chill the dough. Wrap each block tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 ،ur, until firm.

When the dough has chilled, cut the cookies. Use a sharp knife to cut the block crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Use a toothpick to poke several ،les in each cookie. Any pattern goes here! The ،les minimize warping in the oven and give the cookies a cl،ic look.

Finally, bake the cookies in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes, or until the edges are just golden brown. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Tips for Making S،rtbread Cookies

• Plan ahead. This s،rtbread cookie recipe s،s with room temperature ،er. I recommend letting it soften on the counter for an ،ur before you s، to bake!
• Slice the cookies 1/2 inch thick. Any thinner, and they’ll come out crisp instead of tender. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, depending on your taste, but I personally prefer the delicate texture of a 1/2-inch-thick cookie.
• Baking time determines texture. The longer you bake them, the crisper they’ll be. I like these s،rtbread cookies best after 10 minutes in the oven. At that point, their edges will be lightly golden brown, but they’ll still look underdone in the middle. Remove them from the oven, and let them rest on the pan for another 10 minutes. They’ll set up with a delicious c،bly texture!
• Freeze the extras. S،rtbread cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them around for longer, I recommend freezing them. Stored in an airtight container or bag in the freezer, they keep well for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

More Cookie Recipes

If you love these cl،ic s،rtbread cookies, try one of these easy cookie recipes next: