These easy and delicious slice and bake or cut out Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies are made even better with the addition of brown sugar. The perfect Holiday Cookie.
Shortbread Cookies are a must bake cookie for the Holiday Season, one of my favourites are my Mom’s Shortbread and one my daughter says are no fail are these melt in your mouth Whipped Shortbread. Both worth making!
As you probably already know, I adore Shortbread, any type, bar or cookie it doesn’t matter. I am practically spending all my time making shortbread cookies for Christmas sharing this year.
In my opinion you either love it or hate it. Remember Shortbread is supposed to be dry, that’s what makes them shortbread. If you are looking for a moist cookie, well it’s not these ones.
So for me shortbread plus cinnamon is perfection. What I also liked so much about these cookies is the fact that they can be rolled and sliced, or made into your favourite cut out cookies, both are easy and delicious.
How to make Cinnamon Shortbread
In a medium bowl whisk together the flour and cinnamon. In the mixing bowl cream the butter and sugar. Gradually add the flour and mix just to combine.
Move the dough to a flat surface and knead to combine. Divide the dough into two parts and roll into a log shape, or form into a compact dough ball, wrap in plastic and refrigerate. Remove the logs and cut in 1/4 inch slices, or roll the dough into a 1/4 inch thick and cut out with your favourite cookie cutters, then roll the slices or cut outs in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Place the cookies on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake, let cool before serving.
How to correct crumbly shortbread dough
If you find the dough too crumbly, then you can add a little more softened butter, or even a few drops of water if you can’t get it to combine. Chilling the dough also helps too.
Why chill the dough?
Chilling the dough before baking solidifies the fat in the cookies. The fat in the chilled cookies will take longer to melt them room temperature dough. This helps the cookies to spread less. Also be sure to use flour with at least 12% protein.
Can the dough be made in advance?
Yes the dough can be made in advance. Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to three days. Or you can freeze the dough wrapped and then placed in a freezer safe bag or container for up to three months.
The dough can either be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before baking and continue with the recipe. Or you can thaw the rolls a few minutes while the oven preheats, this makes it easier to cut the dough into slices. Then continue as instructed in the recipe. Remember that the baking time may take a few minutes longer, but be sure to watch them closely.
How to store the baked cookies
The baked cooled cookies should be stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool area. They will keep for up to a week. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to ten days.
How to freeze the cookies
Cool the cookies completely before placing in an airtight freezer safe bag or container. They will keep for up to two to three months.
To thaw the frozen cookies, I always remove them from the tin and place them on a plate ready to be served. That way condensation doesn’t occur to make them soggy.
More delicious Christmas Cookies to make
- Italian Orange Ricotta Cookies
- Italian Butter Cookies
- Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
- Chocolate Chip and Nut Fruitcake Cookies
So if Shortbread Cookies are one of your favourites too and you are looking for something a little different, then I hope you give this Cinnamon Shortbread a try and let me know what you think! Happy Baking.
Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
CINNAMON SHORTBREAD
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (320 grams)
- 1 pinch salt*
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup butter softened (225 grams)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed (110 grams)
*If using unsalted butter then add ¼ teaspoon salt. Be sure to use a good quality butter, apparently this year 2022, store brand butter quality is not what it used to be. Less fat could mean a dry not so tasty cookie.
CINNAMON / SUGAR FOR ROLLING
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ cup granulated sugar (100 grams)
Instructions
CINNAMON / SUGAR FOR ROLLING
- In a small bowl mix together the granulated sugar and cinnamon, set aside.
CINNAMON SHORTBREAD
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, salt and cinnamon, set aside.
- In the bowl of the mixer, on medium-low speed cream the butter and sugar until creamy approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until almost combined. Move to a flat surface and gently knead to form a compact dough. Divide in two parts and form into two logs 4 inches (10 cm) long, or form into a single dough ball (if making cut out cookies). Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 60 minutes.
- Pre-heat oven to 325F (160C). Line 1-2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove the dough from the fridge and slice into 1/4 inch slices or on a lightly floured flat surface roll the dough into a 1/4 inch thickness, with your favourite cookie cutters cut out. Roll the slices or cut outs in the cinnamon sugar mixture and place on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 13-15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from December 11, 2019.
Julia Cox says
I’ve been making shortbread cookies for years. I chill the dough to ‘rollable’ softness then cut the biscuits with cutters.. I freeze batches of cut cookies in bags and bake from frozen – this keeps the shape. (15 minutes at 150c). The most important bit of kit for me is a height measured roller.
Personally I just add al the cinnamon at the start, and just sugar after baked, while warm. 50g of polenta as a substitute for tog of flour adds a nice crunch.
Amanda says
What high protein flour would you recommend?
Rosemary says
Hi Amanda, I can’t really recommend a brand because I don’t know where you are, as long as the protein count is 11.5 and over it’s good. Check the ingredients and it will be listed there. Let me know. Take care!
J says
A good basic recipe. I made the cinnamon ones, then chocolate and candied orange rind. They both turned out well. I made the pastry then left in the fridge overnight. You need a very sharp knife to cut the rolled pastry otherwise it will crumble.
Rosemary says
Hi J, thanks glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas.
Tammy says
Great recipe! I did it exactly this way the first time (super delicious), and then 2nd time around added some fresh vanilla bean and it just made a little extra sparkle in my taste buds!
Rosemary says
Hi Tammy, thanks so much, great idea with the vanilla bean. 🙂
Sara says
Hi there! I’ve got my dough chilling… But I’m wondering if when I roll the cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture do I coat completely (top& bottom)? A little bell is going off in my head that if I coat the bottom of the cookies also, then the bottoms will burn…
Thanks, and cannot wait for the finished product!!!
Rosemary says
Hi Sara, I coat the whole cookie, but if you are worried about burning just sprinkle on the top. Let me know how it goes.
Claudia says
Hello, your website ist wonderful and your recipes look delicious!
When you use the oven, which program do you use?
Top and bottom heat or convection heat?
Rosemary says
Hi Claudia, I use convection, and I use top when I broil. 🙂