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Best Shortbread Cookies

Delicious melt in your mouth Shortbread Recipes from the Traditional to flavoured to bars with a shortbread base. The Holidays will be sweet and fun with these cookies and bars!

10 + shortbread cookie photos.


 

I have to admit Shortbread cookies are my all time favourite. I could never get enough of these cookies, and yes I would even sneak a few from the freezer when no one was looking. They can be made by hand, or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment.

Some of the cookies are made using a rolling pin and cut outs and some a baking sheet. All are delicious good shortbread. I usually use salted butter but if you prefer unsalted butter than a little extra salt is needed.

Where did  Shortbread originate?

According to British Food History – Dating back to the 12th century , shortbread was originally called biscuit bread.

These biscuits were made from left-over bread dough that was sometimes sweetened and dried out in the oven to form a hard, dry rusk. This practise took place over the whole of the British Isles, not just Scotland.

What does shortbread taste like?

Shortbread has a buttery flavor with a melt-in your mouth crumbly texture. For some people it can even have a dry sandy texture.

4 star shortbread cookies stacked.

Are butter cookies and shortbread the same?

The difference being there is more sugar in a butter cookie and they are baked at a higher temperature. Shortbread cookies have a more crumbly texture.

Why use powdered/icing sugar?

Powdered sugar will help keep the cookies soft for longer and it helps to keep the cookies from spreading while baking.

Why are my cookies spreading?

To keep the cookies from spreading it is best to beat the butter and sugar just until combined and not creamed (of course this also depends on the type of cookie), for some cookies including some icing sugar in the mixture also keeps the cookies from spreading.

And probably most important of all, is to use a higher protein all purpose flour with at least 11.5- 12% protein count.

And don’t forget to chill the dough for at least 1 hour and again the cut out cookies before baking while the oven is pre-heating. Using most of these will help produce the perfect Christmas Cookies.

Cookies stacked with one leaning against them.

Should Shortbread dough be chilled before baking?

I would advise refrigerating the dough wrapped in plastic wrap for at least an hour and then refrigerating the cookies for about 15-20 before baking. This can be done while the oven is pre-heating.

Different ways to make shortbread

Shortbread is a very versatile cookie dough, it can be made with a cookie cutter, roll the dough and cut slices, it can be made in a pan and sliced when baked or even as a drop cookie. Sometimes a flavoring such as almond or vanilla extract is added.

How to tell when shortbread is baked

It really all depends. I like my shortbread when it just starts to turn light brown around the edges. I know some people prefer their shortbread completely golden brown. Both are delicious, so it’s up to you to choose!

Why add cornstarch?

I have recently discovered that a lot of people add corn starch (my Mom’s  fourth ingredient) to cookie and cake recipes, the reason is because it adds softness to the finished cookie or cake. It also helps keep the dough from spreading.

How to store Shortbread Cookies

The baked cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. I sometimes store mine in the fridge because I like cold cookies. They will last up to 10 days by storing them in the fridge.

Bar cookies made with a shortbread base should be stored in a single layer, separated with parchment paper in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge.

Freezing the cookies

To freeze the shortbread cookies, place parchment paper in between the layers of the completely cooled cookies this prevents them from sticking together when they are in the containers for freezing, or you can also place the baked cooled cookies on a cookie sheet and freeze them, then move the frozen cookies to either airtight bags or containers. Baked Shortbread Cookies will last up to 6 months in the freezer.

The bars can also be frozen. Place in a freezer safe container with parchment paper between the layers. They will keep for up to 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge, then bring to room temperature to serve. 

Traditional Shortbread Cookies – Simple Shortbread Cookies – Two Ways –

Simple Shortbread Cookies – Two Ways
The Best Simple Shortbread Cookies, the ultimate melt in your mouth cookie. Traditional or brown sugar. Your new Christmas Shortbread recipe.
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4 shortbread cookies stacked.

Easy Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

Easy Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
Cranberry Shortbread Cookies are an easy Christmas cookie recipe. They're festive red & white cookies perfect for the holidays!
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6 cranberry shortbread cookies stacked.

Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread

Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
One of the best Christmas Cookies, melt in your mouth shortbread.
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Whipped shortbread cookies on a snowman plate.

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
These easy, melt in your mouth 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies, are a must for every Holiday Cookie Tray. All you need is flour, butter and sugar.
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5 3 ingredient shortbread star cookies stacked.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Shortbread Cookies are a must and these Lemon Shortbread are the perfect Lemon Lovers melt in your mouth Cookie.
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up close lemon shortbread cookies

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
These Chocolate Shortbread Cookies are made with only 5 ingredients, perfect for chocolate and shortbread lovers. Easy and delicious.
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5 shortbread star cookies stacked.

Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies

Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies
These easy and delicious slice and bake Cinnamon Cookies are made even better with the addition of brown sugar. The perfect Holiday Cookie.
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5 star cookies stacked

Peppermint Melting Moments

Peppermint Melting Moments Christmas Cookies
These Peppermint Melting Moments are a perfect addition to your Christmas Cookie Baking List.  Fast and easy with a delicate taste of peppermint.  
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peppermint meltaways 3 on a white board and some in a white plate

Shortbread Cookies One Dough Two Ways

Shortbread Cookies One Dough Two Ways
This easy buttery melt in your mouth Shortbread Recipe is the perfect no spread cookie dough for making a chocolate chunk slice and bake cookie or a tasty thumbprint cookie.
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Shortbread cookies in a white dish.

Shortbread Stamped Cookies

Stamped Shortbread Cookies
Stamped Shortbread Cookies are a delicious buttery melt in your mouth cookie that makes the perfect Holiday Treat.
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Stacked shortbread cookies with one leaning.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies, an easy cookie recipe that practically melts in your mouth! Each bite of these buttery cookies has a taste of chocolate for the best cookie everyone will love. I think one of the easiest homemade cookies to make for the Christmas season is shortbread and one of my…
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Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies, a simple, easy melt in your mouth Christmas shortbread cookie, perfect plain or dipped in chocolate.Depending on size of cookie, makes approximately 3-4 dozen cookies.
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Cookies on a wire wrack.

Delicious Shortbread Bars – Easy Lemon Squares

Easy Lemon Squares
Easy Lemon Squares, these tangy squares are quick, easy and so delicious, made with a buttery shortbread base and a fresh lemon filling.  
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Lemon bar on top of another.

Apple Pie Bars

Apple Pie Bars
These easy to make Apple Pie Bars have a buttery shortbread base, a delicious Apple Pie filling then topped with a buttery crumb topping.
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A bar on a white plate.

Coconut Jam Squares

Coconut Jam Squares
Coconut jam squares, delicious Christmas shortbread crust, jam filling and a coconut, brown sugar meringue baked topping. Melt in your mouth yumminess! 
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3 coconut jam squares stacked.

Fancy Shortbread – Orange Glazed Shortbread

Orange Glazed Shortbread
This melt in your mouth Shortbread Cookie Recipe is made even more delicious with the addition of a simple orange glaze and a sprinkle of chopped almonds.
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orange shortbread on a black wire rack with 2 pieces cut and orange slices around it
Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Cookie Cups
These bite size Cookie Cups are the perfect Holiday sweet treat. A melt in your mouth shortbread filled with mini chocolate chips and toffee bits.
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Three cookie cup cookies on parchment paper.

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