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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Best Shortbread Cookies

Best Shortbread Cookies

By: Rosemary Published: October 15, 2022 Updated on: October 15, 2022

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.

Table of Contents

  • Where did  Shortbread originate?
  • What does shortbread taste like?
  • Are butter cookies and shortbread the same?
  • Why use powdered/icing sugar?
  • Why are my cookies spreading?
  • Should Shortbread dough be chilled before baking?
  • Different ways to make shortbread
  • How to tell when shortbread is baked
  • Why add cornstarch?
  • How to store Shortbread Cookies
  • Freezing the cookies
  • Traditional Shortbread Cookies – Simple Shortbread Cookies – Two Ways –
  • Easy Cranberry Shortbread Cookies
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
  • 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
  • Lemon Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
  • Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies
  • Peppermint Melting Moments
  • Shortbread Cookies One Dough Two Ways
  • Shortbread Stamped Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
  • Delicious Shortbread Bars – Easy Lemon Squares
  • Apple Pie Bars
  • Coconut Jam Squares
  • Fancy Shortbread – Orange Glazed Shortbread
  • Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Cookie Cups

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.
Check out this recipe
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!
Check out this recipe
6 cranberry shortbread cookies stacked.
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    Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread

    Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
    One of the best Christmas Cookies, melt in your mouth shortbread.
    Check out this recipe
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    3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies

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    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.
    Check out this recipe
    5 3 ingredient shortbread star cookies stacked.

    Lemon Shortbread Cookies

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    Shortbread Cookies are a must and these Lemon Shortbread are the perfect Lemon Lovers melt in your mouth Cookie.
    Check out this recipe
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    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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    Peppermint Melting Moments

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    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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    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 Stamped Cookies

    Shortbread Stamped Cookies
    Stamped Shortbread Cookies are a delicious buttery melt in your mouth cookie that makes the perfect Valentine’s Day Treat.  Stamped with your favourite message!  The kids will love helping you bake these Shortbread Cookies.
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    stamped cookies on a black board

    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 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.
    Check out this recipe
    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.  
    Check out this recipe
    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.
    Check out this recipe
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    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! 
    Check out this recipe
    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.
    Check out this recipe
    orange shortbread on a black wire rack with 2 pieces cut and orange slices around it

    Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Cookie Cups

    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.
    Check out this recipe
    3 cookie cups on a white board with chips and toffee bits sprinkled

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      1. Barb says

        December 18, 2022 at 9:49 pm

        I love your receipes, my daughter can’t have gluten, will tye shortbread cookie work with gluten free flour?

        Reply
        • Rosemary says

          December 19, 2022 at 6:48 pm

          Hi Barb, I have heard people make shortbread with gluten free flour. Unfortunately I have never made them that way. Let me know if you do. Take care.

          Reply

      Hi, I'm Rosemary.

      Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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