The Best Simple Two Way Shortbread Cookies, these are a delicious easy to make Shortbread Cookie Recipes, a delicious melt in your mouth cookie that you will make year after year. Choose the traditional Shortbread or Brown Sugar Shortbread.
Shortbread Cookies
Probably the most awaited Christmas Cookies! But to tell the truth I like to make these not just at Christmas Time! They are so good how can you not?
How to Make Shortbread Cookies:
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Sift icing sugar, corn starch, salt and flour 4 times (I know, but it is worth it)
- Then add to creamed butter a little at a time and work in with a wooden spoon as long as possible.
- Move to a lightly floured flat surface and knead until mixture cracks slightly.
- Pat gently to 1/3″ thickness.
- Cut out cookies with your favourite cutters.
- Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Be sure you don’t let them brown.
- Let cool on cookie sheets.
This dough is so easy to work with you don’t even have to roll it out, just pat to your desired thickness, (I tend to like them thicker, more cookie for the bite you could say).
Be sure to watch the Video!
I love Simple Shortbread Cookies, they practically melt in your mouth. I always had a friend who said that her Brown Sugar Shortbread was the best and made exactly how it should be made with only 3 ingredients, butter, sugar and flour.
But to make her happy I would make her Brown Sugar Shortbread cookies, and I have to admit she did have a good argument, they are pretty yummy.
Although I would argue that my Mom made the best cookies and hers had five ingredients. And yes I still stand by my Mom’s.
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.
How to Freeze Shortbread Cookies:
To freeze the shortbread cookies, place parchment paper in between the layers of 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 a month in the freezer.
To thaw the cookies be sure to remove the frozen cookies from the bags or containers (this way no condensation will form) and let them thaw at room temperature.
How to make Shortbread Cookies without a cookie cutter:
With this Shortbread dough you can actually just roll the dough into a log shape, then slice it and bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. I would probably refrigerate the log (before cutting) for about 20 minutes.
Can this Shortbread Recipe be made with a mixer?
If you can’t or don’t want to knead the dough by hand, then yes a stand up mixer using the paddle attachment will work just fine, although I would only knead up to a point, when the dough just starts to come together (or even better, very coarse crumb mixture) and then knead the dough by hand. Completely kneading by machine can make the dough tough and dry.
What is the best flour for Cut out Cookies?
Be sure to use a high protein (at 12%) flour, a low protein flour will cause the cookies to spread, and believe me refrigerating the dough will not help.
Shortbread 
Why do you add Cornstarch to Shortbread Cookies?
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.
To add a twist I even topped a couple of big stars with some Nutella and one with jam, then put some crumbled up dough on top.
So grab your favourite Christmas cookie cutters and start cutting, 10 minutes in a low oven is all these Melt in Your Mouth Shortbread Cookies need.
More Shortbread Cookies You May Enjoy!
- Easy Chocolate Chip Whipped Shortbread
- Chocolate Hazelnut Shortbread Cookies
- Lemon Cheesecake Squares
- Almond Crescent Cookies
- Coconut Jam Squares
And why is it called Shortbread Called Shortbread:
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.
I hope you try these Shortbread Cookies, either my Mom’s or the Brown Sugar Shortbread or why not both, and be sure to let me know, which Shortbread Cookie you prefer? Enjoy!
The Best Simple Two Way Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
MY MOM'S SHORTBREAD
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup icing / powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup corn starch
- pinch salt
- 2 cups flour
MY FRIEND'S SHORTBREAD
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 1/2 cups flour
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 325° (160 celsius).
- MY MOM'S SHORTBREAD
- Beat butter until creamy. Sift icing sugar, corn starch, salt and flour 4 times (I know, but it is worth it) add to creamed butter a little at a time and work in with a wooden spoon as long as possible, then move to a lightly floured flat surface and knead till mixture cracks slightly. Pat gently to 1/3" thickness. Cut with Christmas cutters and place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake in pre-heated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, don't let them brown. Let cool on cookie sheets.
- Approximately 30 cookies (depending on size of cutters)
- MY FRIEND'S SHORTBREAD
- Cream butter until fluffy, add sugar and cream together, then add flour gradually and mix with a wooden spoon as much as you can. Move the mixture to a lightly floured flat surface and with your hands work the dough until it comes together and forms a ball. If it is too sticky, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for approximately 20 minutes. On a lightly floured surface roll to 1/2 - 1/3 thickness. Cut out with desired shapes, place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake in pre-heated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheets and then remove to wire racks.
- Yield approximately 30 cookies (depending on size of cutters)
- ** I have received a couple of messages saying my Mom's shortbread doesn't come together and they had to add butter, a lot of butter! So I just made it again and no extra butter is needed, please note this is a dough that needs to be kneaded not whipped and don't forget the sifting. It will be crumbly until you start to knead it, then with a little bit of elbow grease you will arrive at the desired dough. Hope this helps. Let me know. Rosemary
Nutrition
Republished from November 30, 2014
Kelly says
May 26, 2019 at 3:48 amI followed the recipe to a T (no, wait, I lied- I actually used my KitchenAid for the kneading part, which was amazing) and it came out beautifully. The dough was super easy to work with and looked beautiful after baking. I was excited to find a new go-to cookie recipe to take me out of my usual rolled sugar cookie routine… until I took a bite and needed to drink a gallon of water to get the dryness out of my mouth! I will be heading back to my sugar cookie recipe. But hey, my husband liked them.
Rosemary says
May 27, 2019 at 7:49 amHi Kelly, I have never had my shortbread turn out that dry, although shortbread cookies are on the drier side, I made shortbread with my kitchenAid but I stopped before it was completely turned into a dough (very coarse crumb stage) and then I kneaded by hand. Could be the machine kneads them too much and too hard. 🙂
Tulin says
February 10, 2019 at 4:14 pmHi,
I am wanting to try your Mother’s recipe after reading all the positive feedback.
I just have one question.
How do you best store these and how long do they stay fresh?
And what is the best way to freeze these?
I would need them for this coming Thursday.
So if I bake them today, should I freeze for Thursday?
And if frozen what’s the best way to defrost without messing up the texture?
Thank you so much in advance.
Rosemary says
February 10, 2019 at 5:09 pmHi Tulin, to freeze the shortbread cookies, place parchment paper in between the layers of 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. They will last up to a month in the freezer. To thaw the cookies be sure to remove the frozen cookies from the bags or containers (this way no condensation will form) and let them thaw at room temperature. The cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Although if you are making them today then I would freeze them for Thursday. Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes.
Michelle says
January 25, 2019 at 11:35 pmI just made your mom’s recipe and followed the instructions exactly, but added mini chocolate chips before rolling out. They turned out perfectly! This was my first attempt at shortbread, and I’ll definitely continue to use this recipe.
Rosemary says
January 26, 2019 at 6:46 pmHi Michelle, thanks, great idea adding the chocolate chips. So glad you enjoyed them!
Bee Bee Ang says
December 23, 2018 at 4:58 pmI’m very interested in making these. One question is will this work if I don’t use cookie cutters but roll them out on a sheet pan to bake?
Rosemary says
December 23, 2018 at 5:10 pmHi Bee Bee, you could actually do as another reader did and roll the dough into a log shape and then slice it and bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet (you may want to refrigerate the log for about 20 minutes before cutting. Hope that helps.
Vickie says
December 22, 2018 at 10:27 pmHi
I’m wondering if can use a kitchen aid mixer and use the hook attachment to knead your Mom’s cookie dough? Or do you suggest only kneading by hand?
Thanks!
I can’t wait to make these with my daughter!
Happy Holidays!
Vickie
Rosemary says
December 22, 2018 at 10:41 pmHi Vickie, I would advise you kneading by hand rather than a machine. You can get your daughter to knead. 🙂 Merry Christmas.
Suzanne says
January 24, 2019 at 8:04 pmI just made your recipe and they are fantastic from dough to cooked!! I believe in following instructions to a tee, But………. I’m old and have arthritis in my hands and the kneading about did me in! I saw you didn’t recommend to the previous commenter using a kitchen aid with dough hook. If I have to resort to the mixer to be able to continue to enjoy your recipe, how will it change he the integrity of the cookie? Have you or anyone reading this tried it?
Rosemary says
January 25, 2019 at 8:37 amHi Suzanne, thanks so much, I have never made it with the mixer, but I don’t see why not it would not work. Hopefully I can give it a try this weekend and I will get back. Have a great weekend.
Aria says
December 22, 2018 at 4:44 amThese turned out WONDERFULLY for me!!!
I did your Mom’s recipe, but I used brown sugar instead of powdered sugar because I prefer brown sugar for my shortbread cookies. This was AMAZING. The cookies were melt-in-your-mouth soft and I couldn’t get enough of them. I know most people prefer crunchy shortbread cookies but I’ve never understood that. I’ve always loved soft shortbread cookies but I’ve had a hard time finding a good recipe. This is officially my new go-to recipe for shortbread cookies. Thanks Rosie!
Rosemary says
December 22, 2018 at 11:33 amHi Aria, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Yes I prefer soft shortbread too. Have a Merry Christmas.
Karen says
December 21, 2018 at 6:19 pmI made your Mum’s Shortbread Cookies yesterday. They turned out absolutely perfect and delicious. I made Christmas trees, with a single bauble as a Star. I have made them for Gifts along with everything else. I was a wee bit worried about the heat here & everything melting, as it is New Zealand’s summer, but all was fine. This recipe is definitely a wonderful “Keeper” Thank you so much for sharing. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Rosemary says
December 21, 2018 at 7:20 pmHi Karen, thanks so much and so glad you like them. Merry Christmas to you and yours also. 🙂
SC says
December 19, 2018 at 9:14 pmHi! I wanted to know how you keep the cutout shapes from “spreading” when baking. Should the shapes be well-chilled just before popping in the oven?
Rosemary says
December 19, 2018 at 9:23 pmHi SC If you want you can chill them, but they have never spread when I make them. Be sure to use high protein (12% at least) all purpose flour and it should be fine.
Julia says
December 18, 2018 at 5:28 pmHi, thank you for this recipe. I can safely say that made with my choice of Gluten free flour they came out beautifully, so light and buttery, which as unused dairy free spread makes me laugh as a descriptive term. I would probably add less cornflour as the GF flour I use has it added already. But that is a small adaptation. It isn’t often I come across an internet recipe that works so well first time around, especially when swapping for GF and DF ingredients. I then made a second batch of spiced ones using half coconut sugar and half powdered sugar. Great taste but not as easy to get a soft smooth dough. Even with much creaming of fat and sugar. It was interesting. I wonder if those that experienced problems with the dough hadn’t softened and creamed the butter enough? It does make a big difference. I know from experience. 😜 Anyway thank you again, today had been a happy Christmas baking day.
Rosemary says
December 18, 2018 at 6:22 pmHi Julia, thanks so much, thank you for the info on the gluten free too. Yes sometimes people don’t follow directions 🙂 . Have a wonderful Christmas.
Rena says
December 18, 2018 at 11:09 amI’ve made your mom’s recipe twice now and they were delicious both times! Sprinkled a bit of red and green sugar crystals on top for decoration. Tis the season! I love that they’re not too sweet either.
I combined all the ingredients with a wooden spoon and formed logs. Kept in refrigerator until ready to bake. Just sliced them up and plopped them on the cookie sheet.
Rosemary says
December 18, 2018 at 6:23 pmHi Rena, thanks so much so glad you enjoyed them. And great idea with slice and bake. Have a wonderful Christmas. 🙂
Linda says
December 17, 2018 at 6:18 pmThese were delicious, light and buttery. (I made your Mom’s version.) Sifting four times really is worth it. I added chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries and bits of candied ginger.
Rosemary says
December 17, 2018 at 8:17 pmHi Linda, thanks so much, I love the additions and yes my Mom would always say don’t forget to sift! 🙂 Have a wonderful Christmas.
Katie says
December 17, 2018 at 10:48 pmI was wondering do you use salted or unsalted butter?
Rosemary says
December 17, 2018 at 11:25 pmHi Katie, all my recipes are made with salted butter because I cannot find unsalted in Italy. 🙂
Katie says
December 21, 2018 at 12:07 amThank you SO much for your reply!!
I tried your moms recipe and it truly was amazing!!!
Rosemary says
December 21, 2018 at 8:19 amHi Katie, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Have a Merry Christmas!
Heather J says
December 13, 2018 at 7:20 amThis dough was so lovely! I found it so easy to roll out and the cookies turned out perfect! I’ve been using my great grandmothers recipe for years but I think this is my new favorite!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Rosemary says
December 13, 2018 at 8:25 amHi Heather, thanks so much. So glad you liked them. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Susan says
December 13, 2018 at 4:39 pmCan I refrigerate until ready to use?
Rosemary says
December 13, 2018 at 4:45 pmHi Susan yes you can refrigerate the dough until ready to use, let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes more or less to soften up a bit. It will keep in the fridge up to 3 days. Let me know how it goes.
Shona says
December 8, 2018 at 7:03 pmLoved your momma’s recipe. Made them two weeks ago. Have to make more now. They do take some work to ensure they are well blended but are oh so yummy!
Rosemary says
December 8, 2018 at 8:20 pmHi Shona, thanks so much and yes it does need quite a bit of needing. Have a great weekend.
Elena Coates says
December 7, 2018 at 5:37 pmGreat cookie. I used my Kitchenaid mixer rather than needing by hand. Had to add about 2 more tablespoons of butter for dough to come together nicely. Recipe made 56 cookies using a 2 inch star cookie cutter.
Thank you for sharing!
Rosemary says
December 7, 2018 at 6:31 pmHi Elena, thanks so much, so glad you liked it. Have a great weekend.
Brittany says
December 5, 2018 at 11:37 pmMy kids enjoyed them, but they just didn’t do it for me. I tried the “mom’s” recipe. They looked beautiful straight out of the oven, but when biting in to them, I just didn’t enjoy the texture. They were melt in your mouth soft, which is great, but they just seemed like dry, sweetened flour. Maybe I didn’t kneed the dough enough?? It’s probably just a matter of preference. I’ve been looking for a specific recipe that reminds me of a shortbread cookie I had long ago. Since these didn’t taste the same, it’s probably just my brain telling me to keep searching for that specific recipe! Thanks for helping me on my search!
Rosemary says
December 7, 2018 at 12:23 pmHi Brittany, have you tried a whipped shortbread? They may be more to your liking .https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/whipped-shortbread/
Christine says
November 29, 2018 at 11:22 pmThese turned out great. I whipped the butter first and added 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract. I also cut the flour to 2 1/4 cups.
Thanks for posting this. It seems most shortbread recipes require a cookie press. I don’t get along with those things. Some also state to use granulated sugar. I just can’t bring myself to use it.
Rosemary says
November 30, 2018 at 7:09 amHi Christine, thanks so much, and I know what you mean about the cookie press :), so glad you liked them, have a great weekend.
diana says
November 28, 2018 at 12:26 amHi there love your blog I am just wondering do you use cake and pastry flour thank you diana from toronto ontario
Rosemary says
November 28, 2018 at 7:02 amHi Diana, thanks so much, I do use pastry flour in some recipes but not all. When I do use it I will write it in the ingredients. Hope that helps.
Rae Myette says
November 26, 2018 at 3:47 amMade “Your Mom’s Shortbread Cookies today and they turned out amazing soft, tender and it sure melts in your mouth! I used my Artisan Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer and no problem, as soon as the butter and dry indregients comes together STOP. I also didn’t used a cookie cutter instead just formed a mall balls, size of a Walnut, dressed it up with different toppings and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
I baked mine at 300 degrees F gas stove for 25 minutes and it is perfect – no browning!
Thank you for shari g your Mom’s Shortbread Recipe – it’s a “Winner” for sure and have a
Wonderful Holiday’s Season!
Rae
B.C., Canada
Rosemary says
November 26, 2018 at 8:01 amHi Rae thanks so much, and thanks for the great tips and idea. And a Happy Holiday to you too.
Pam says
December 9, 2018 at 7:37 pmDid you use the dough hook or the paddle attachment when making these?
Thanks Pam
Rosemary says
December 9, 2018 at 7:51 pmHi Pam, I beat the butter with a beaters and then stirred in the flour with a wooden spoon. 🙂
Gina says
November 21, 2018 at 3:44 amI’ve tried many shortbread cookie recipes , this has to be the best. I will be using your moms recipe from now on. Thanks so much for sharing.
Rosemary says
November 21, 2018 at 7:31 amHi Gina, thanks so much. I always go back to these too. Have a great day.
Karen says
November 15, 2018 at 10:42 pmCan you make make rectangular shaped cookies by putting the dough in a baking pan instead of making cut out cookies?
Rosemary says
November 16, 2018 at 7:39 amHi Karen, you can try it but I really don’t know I have never made it that way, if you do just remember not to make it too thick.
Bri says
November 14, 2018 at 11:30 pmI’ve never made shortbread before and I’ve tried your easy bread recipe before and enjoyed it. I THINK I did everything right for your mom’s version. Tastes good to me!
Your site’s really helpful for me, my mom was never a baker and I want to get better at it and maybe teach her something. 🙂
Rosemary says
November 15, 2018 at 2:32 pmHi Bri, thanks so much, you made my day I love helping people to bake (and cook). And yes you teach your Mom to bake too. 🙂 have a great day.
Juliet Ankamah says
September 17, 2018 at 3:11 pmHi dear, i tried your mums shortbread recipe and it came out lovely and very delish. Thanks for sharing dear. You’ve made my day and the kids are going to love it when they come back from school.
Rosemary says
September 18, 2018 at 1:52 amHi Juliet, thanks so much, so glad you like them and I hope your kids do too. Have a great week.
Maria says
September 3, 2018 at 11:34 pmThanks for the recipes! I tried both ways and like them both. My husband and kids preferred the mom recipe while I preferred the friend recipe a smidgen more. I like how the dough doesn’t spread upon baking and how easy and sharp the cut out shapes are to make.
Rosemary says
September 4, 2018 at 9:10 amHi Maria, thanks so much, glad everyone enjoyed them. Interesting you enjoyed the friend one more. I will have to make those again this year. 🙂
stephanie says
August 18, 2018 at 7:32 amHelp!
I made your mom’s recipe a couple times and they were the BEST shortbread cookies I’ve ever had, but recently I have tried a couple more times and can not get them to turn out well anymore. I am STUMPED because I don’t feel like I did anything differently!
They seem to stay sort of wet and gooey inside but turn dark brown on the bottom and hard on the outside.
It sounds like a problem with the baking itself in the oven but I swear I can taste it in the dough before it’s even baked.
Of course you wouldn’t know what the difference was between my first and last attempts but based on that description do you have any ideas? Just craving those wonderful cookies again!
– Stephanie
Rosemary says
August 18, 2018 at 8:37 amHi Stephanie, thanks so much. I don’t think it could be the ingredients unless something is past expire date. So I’m pretty sure it sounds like your oven temperature is off. You can test it with an oven thermometer. I had that problem last year, my cakes would rise than fall once they were out of the oven and they never completely baked inside. And believe it or not, I just read that sometimes we smell something (in this case bad) and we can also sense the odour through our mouth. Hope this helps. Let me know.
Sharon says
November 9, 2018 at 6:51 amI use a similar recipe for melting moments without the corn syrup and when I bake them I swap my trays at5 mins. When I made this dough I had to add extra flour as if was too soft. I haven’t baked them yet but am about to put them in the oven and I will swap my trays. I’ll let u know how they go.
Rosemary says
November 9, 2018 at 7:45 pmHi Sharon, thanks hope you enjoy them.
Nasreen says
June 13, 2018 at 7:52 pmDoes the traditional recipe call for unsalted or salted butter?
Thank you!
Rosemary says
June 14, 2018 at 1:55 pmHi Nasreen, the recipe uses salted butter (I can never find unsalted in Italy). Hope you enjoy it.
Pat says
February 13, 2018 at 4:35 pmHello, I have two questions. I want to make these with my 4 year old twin grandsons and want them to do the cutting. Will this dough work with the little spring action plunger cutters? Also can I make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it until we roll it out and cut the cookies? Thank you very much
Rosemary says
February 13, 2018 at 4:49 pmHi Pat, it should work fine with those types of cutters. And yes you can refrigerate the dough before hand, you might want to take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before making the cookies. Have fun!
Marjorie Cross says
December 27, 2017 at 8:49 amI made your mom’s recipe for Christmas and they came out PERFECT!!! I ended up making a second batch because my son kept sneaking them before I could dip them in chocolate. The second batch, I accidentally added an extra tablespoon of butter… they still turned out wonderfully! I dipped them in milk chocolate and white chocolate and my co-workers loved them! This is definitely my new go-to recipe.
Rosemary says
December 27, 2017 at 2:04 pmHi Marjorie, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. I know it’s hard to stop at one! Happy New Year.
Sarah says
December 26, 2017 at 1:10 amThe cookies came out great! I will be saving the recipe for next year. I am glad you put in the tips about kneading the dough or i might have been worried, but the dough came together nicely. I used a wooden roller instead of patting to desired thickness.
Rosemary says
December 26, 2017 at 7:41 amHi Sarah, so glad you enjoyed them. And yes a little kneading but it does work. Happy New Year.
Nadia says
December 23, 2017 at 9:14 amI made these last night and they are delicious, but the mixture was very crumbly 🙁 so much so that I couldn’t roll it out. I ended up adding in some egg and that held it together. I’m not sure if it was because of something I had done or maybe the different climate? Have you found this has happened to you before?
Rosemary says
December 23, 2017 at 11:21 amHi Nadia, this has never happened to me or my Mom, I even had people make this recipe for me using the instructions that you have to knead the dough, at first it is crumbly but it comes together, it takes some arm strength but it works, with no need to add anything. Hope this helps.
Candyce says
December 24, 2017 at 6:59 amFollowed the recipe exactly and they turned out great. Thanks !!
Rosemary says
December 24, 2017 at 8:16 amHi Candyce, thanks so much, so glad you like them. Merry Christmas.
Claudette says
December 23, 2017 at 8:22 amHi! I would love to try these recipes now to be my christmas giveaways to friends, but I dont have cornstarch, can I skip it? Even brown sugar i dont have can i replace it with white sugar and how much should i put. Thanks.
Rosemary says
December 23, 2017 at 11:22 amHi Claudette, I have never made these without cornstarch so I would not recommend it. And substituting white sugar for brown gives them a different taste. Hope this helps. 🙂
Buffy says
December 22, 2017 at 12:47 amHi! After reading all the comments this recipe sounds like a true winner, and I’m hoping to use it as a base for some gourmet shortbreads. I plan to make a lemon & lavendar, an orange & chocolate, and a white chocolate, pistachio and cranberry. How do you think your recipe will handle these added ingredients?
Rosemary says
December 22, 2017 at 7:21 amHI Buffy, sounds amazing, and I think it could handle it, it is a nice sturdy dough. Let me know how it goes. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Darlene says
December 19, 2017 at 10:45 pmI made the recipe with cornstarch. It is the same as my mother in laws recipe. They are so delicious! They need to be rolled thick so the cookie cutter has to be deep.
Rosemary says
December 19, 2017 at 11:14 pmHi Darlene, so glad you enjoyed them and yes they have to be thick. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Janie westerkamp says
December 18, 2017 at 7:42 pmHow much lemon extract would you use in this recipe
To make them more like Panera bakery’s recipe ? We love the cookie , thanks janie
Rosemary says
December 18, 2017 at 9:33 pmHi Janie, sorry but I have never tried nor heard of these cookies, but I would say start with 1/2 teaspoon and see how that goes. Hope that helps. 🙂
Gillian says
January 16, 2018 at 12:28 amI am a huge Panera shortbread cookie fan! I have it on good authority (wink) that the hint of lemon in their amazing cookies comes from the icing not the dough! So I would add lemon extract right to the icing as you make it, as Panera cookies are an iced shortbread….and amazing!!
Rosemary says
January 16, 2018 at 7:45 amHi Gillian, sounds like a good idea to me. Thanks
Ann says
December 16, 2017 at 4:23 amHi, I too love shortbread cookies and would love to ice them as I would a sugar cookie. Excited to give these a try. Thank you for both recipes ❤
Rosemary says
December 16, 2017 at 7:14 amHi Ann, your welcome and apparently quite a few people have iced them and loved them (my cousin included). Have a great weekend.
Wayne Speers says
December 15, 2017 at 10:13 pmAbsolutely amazing recipe I actually really like both
Rosemary says
December 15, 2017 at 11:43 pmHi Wayne, thanks so much, I’m glad you like both! Have a great weekend.
Naomi says
December 14, 2017 at 10:50 amWell… what an absolutely SUPERB shortbread recipe your Mothers is!!! Thank you so much for sharing. This will be my go to recipe for ever more! ?
Rosemary says
December 14, 2017 at 11:01 amHi Naomi, thank you, so glad you enjoy it. Have a Merry Christmas.
Rhonda says
December 13, 2017 at 9:41 pmI am a little confused about the icing sugar. The powdered sugar I have already contains some cornstarch, so would I adjust the amount of corn starch in the recipe, to compensate? Thanks in advance! I’d like to make these but I’d like to get some clarification on the “icing sugar”.
Rosemary says
December 13, 2017 at 10:14 pmHi Rhonda, icing sugar and powdered sugar are the same thing (Canadians call powdered sugar icing sugar), and yes there is a small amount of cornstarch in all powdered sugar so it doesn’t cake. So just follow the ingredients as written and it should be fine. Hope that helps. 🙂
Rhonda says
December 13, 2017 at 10:46 pmThank you so much for the clarification! I look forward to trying this recipe.
Maria says
December 11, 2017 at 6:22 amHi Rosemary,
My son and I just made these cookies and they turned out perfect. So tender and flaky.
The dough is crumbly at first but with a little bit of effort it eventually comes together. Thank you for sharing! Merry Christmas!
Rosemary says
December 11, 2017 at 8:53 amHi Maria, thanks so much, and yes a little arm work is necessary but so worth it. Thank you and a Merry Christmas to you too.
nancie says
December 10, 2017 at 11:08 pmI made them using your friends recipe and they came out fabulous. My grandsons had a great time rolling the dough and making the cut outs. Don’t roll the dough too thin
Rosemary says
December 11, 2017 at 8:52 amHi Nancie, so glad you enjoyed them and your grandson had so much fun. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Ewa says
December 8, 2017 at 6:56 amHi Rose
I’ve just finished baking shortbread cookies from your recipe.
Everything went well. Just after baking them some of them were getting apart.
I have no idea why? Can you possibly know why they are so fragile?
Other than that they are very delicious. I really enjoy them.
Have a lovely Christmas
Ewa
Rosemary says
December 8, 2017 at 2:24 pmHi Ewa, I really don’t know why, did you maybe bake them a little too long? Let me know.
Del Jeffs says
December 7, 2017 at 8:06 amMy mixture turned out so dry it wouldn’t clump together. I followed your recipe to the letter. Maybe too much flour? I’m in Australia….can’t think what difference that would make though, flours flour right? ….almost impossible to roll out.
Rosemary says
December 7, 2017 at 9:35 amHI Del, sorry to hear that, I don’t know if it’s the conversion from cups to grams, but if it doesn’t come together just add more butter a tablespoon at a time. Hope that helps.
Janice Kreke says
December 4, 2017 at 8:10 pmOh, these turned out perfectly! Being Scottish my shortbread recipe is the 3 ingredients only, but I wanted to try yours. They are delicious! I glazed half of them with vanilla bean glaze. Yum!
Rosemary says
December 4, 2017 at 9:31 pmHi Janice, thanks so glad you enjoyed them. And the glaze sounds delicious. 🙂
Carrie says
November 29, 2017 at 4:33 amHello, would this be a good cookie to dio bottom half on chocolate?
Rosemary says
November 29, 2017 at 6:02 pmHi Carrie, yes it would because it is quite sturdy, but I also just posted a shortbread that is perfect for that. 🙂
Veronica Lee says
November 17, 2017 at 9:36 amI love, love, love shortbread cookies. And these look really good.
Rosemary says
November 17, 2017 at 6:22 pmHi Veronica, me too :). And they are really good.
Amy says
October 6, 2017 at 7:31 pmI was wondering how well this cookies stand up to decorating opposed to a standard sugar cookie. I use glaze and icing to decorate my Christmas cookies and the sugar cookie recipe I use is rather blah. I wondered how butter cookies would stand up to the decorating processes such as do they break easily? I have been looking for a more flavorful cookie for Christmas Cookie decorating. Thank you!
Rosemary says
October 8, 2017 at 10:30 pmHi Amy, this cookie is quite sturdy so I think it would stand up to being decorated. I don’t think it would break easily. Let me know if you try it.
Nina says
February 17, 2017 at 8:36 amhi rose, I’m nina from Indonesia. Thanks to this cookie-recipe, my family loved it. I have made using your mother’s recipe. But I give a little modification by adding chopped chocolate in the dough ? hhmm .. it was very tasty and the butter smell is very tempting, especially when baked. certainly, makes it even easier (this is what I prefer ?) ps: sorry if my english is not good ?
Rosemary says
February 17, 2017 at 10:02 amHi Nina, so glad you like them and adding chocolate is a great idea. By the way your English is just fine. Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
Nina says
February 18, 2017 at 4:33 amThanks for the recipes you’ve shared, many of the recipes are easy to make. That’s why I love your blog, Rose 🙂 Today I will try to make “Traditional Italian Breakfast Cookies”… once again, thank you, rose 🙂
Rosemary says
February 19, 2017 at 6:14 pmHi Nina, so glad you enjoy the recipes and I hope you enjoy the Cookies. Have a wonderful Sunday.
Natalia says
December 25, 2016 at 11:50 amHi Rose. I love butter cookies. I found your recipe but in my country we use grams, and I prefer measures in grams (or punds and then make the translation) than cups or spoon. That’s why when I try to make the recipe I have a doubt, and I think that it’s just I transcription error: “Ingredients
MY MOM’S SHORTBREAD
1 cup butter softened 250 grams
1/2 cup icing sugar 62 grams (may be you should say: 125 gr)
1/2 cup corn starch 62 grams (may be you should say: 125 gr)
1/2 teaspoon salt 2.8 grams
2 cups flour 260 grams ((may be you should say: 500 gr)
MY FRIEND’S SHORTBREAD
1 cup butter softened 250 grams
1/2 cup brown sugar 100 grams
2 1/2 cups flour 325 grams (may be you should say: 750gr)”
Could be the cause of some poor results. Thanks for your lovely blog and sorry for my bad english
Rosemary says
December 25, 2016 at 2:37 pmHi Natalia, thanks for your input, here in Italy we use grams also and I have a scale to measure, these are the right measurements. Believe me 2 1/2 cups of flour cannot possibly be almost a kilo. But thanks anyways. Merry Christmas. And your English is great.
Diana says
December 23, 2016 at 5:33 amCookies tasted salty…followed recipe exact. Is it maybe with unsalted butter? Help…
Rosemary says
December 23, 2016 at 7:50 amHi Diana, sorry to hear they were too salty for you, but that is the recipe and my Mom and I have been using for years. I do not use unsalted butter because I cannot find it in Italy. The 3 ingredient (brown sugar) shortbread does not call for salt so if that is the one you made I don’t know why you would find it salty. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Danielle says
December 22, 2016 at 2:13 amThanks for this wonderful recipe. I followed it carefully and the cookies were scrumptious.
Rosemary says
December 22, 2016 at 9:06 pmHi Danielle, so glad you enjoyed them, have a wonderful Christmas.
Rosemary says
December 18, 2016 at 11:21 amHi Alia, no I meant add the sugar and then cream them (butter and sugar) together. Hope that helps. 🙂
Jasmine says
December 1, 2016 at 3:44 amI am excited to try both recipes. I do have a question about freezing the dough. Should I cut the cookies and then freeze or can I roll into a log and then freeze?
Rosemary says
December 1, 2016 at 7:37 amHi Jasmine, what I do is bake the cookies and then freeze them. I have never frozen the dough unbaked. Hope that helps.
Jasmine says
December 2, 2016 at 3:26 amYes, that does help. Thank you!
Rosemary says
December 2, 2016 at 9:09 pmGlad to hear that Jasmine. Have a great weekend.
Alex says
November 28, 2016 at 8:48 amIs the icing sugar component referring to pure icing sugar? Thanks
Rosemary says
November 28, 2016 at 7:28 pmHi Alex, yes is it pure icing sugar. Have a great week.
Michelle says
November 10, 2016 at 2:49 amWould you believe I have never made shortbread cookies?! I like to eat them though…perhaps I should try my hand at actually making them! Your freezer comment was too funny…that is definitely the case in our house. Unless it is hidden away (and hidden away well), the disappearing act happens often!
Rosemary says
November 10, 2016 at 9:14 pmHi Michelle, really? Then you should try them, it is so easy and sooo delicious.
ALEXZANDRIA says
November 9, 2016 at 9:06 pmHi,
Is it possible to substitute the flour with an equal amount of rice flour?
Rosemary says
November 10, 2016 at 9:12 pmHi Alexzandria, I just did a little search and interesting enough yes you can substitute rice flour for regular, it’s a one for one. I would love to know how they turn out if you do make them. Hope this helps.
[email protected] says
November 9, 2016 at 7:46 pmI’m intrigued by your mom’s recipe. Must try it with the cornstarch. I’ve seen other recipes that use cornstarch but haven’t made any of them. Having a mom-approved version makes it a no-brainer:)
Rosemary says
November 10, 2016 at 9:13 pmHi Laura, I know everyone asks about the corn starch, but to tell the truth these are the only shortbread she ever made and we loved them, still do!
Wendy says
November 8, 2016 at 1:19 amWhy so much corn starch?
Rosemary says
November 8, 2016 at 7:25 amHi Wendy, actually it isn’t too much corn starch and they come out perfect. Why do you think it’s too much?
Jennifer Banner says
December 22, 2015 at 12:26 pmNewer cook here- all purpose flour or self-rising? Excited to try these with my girls. Thanks for sharing!
Rosemary says
December 22, 2015 at 12:32 pmHi Jennifer all purpose flour, it will look crumbly at first but just keep kneading it. Let me know how it goes and have fun with your girls. I just made a batch this morning and I have already eaten 3 ;).
Shannon says
December 22, 2015 at 2:53 amThis did not work for me at all. I’ve made shortbread for years and thought I’d try a new recipe. It just crumbled apart and I couldn’t get it into a ball. What a waste of butter
Rosemary says
December 22, 2015 at 1:54 pmHi Shannon, sorry to hear that it didn’t work out, I remade these this morning and they turned out perfectly, I think you might missed the step of kneading the mixture until it cracks, it is crumbly at first but you have to work it. Hope this helps.
Shannon says
December 23, 2015 at 3:54 pmI think perhaps my flour wasn’t level and therefore ended up with too much. I just tossed it all together again with a bit more better and then it worked!
Rosemary says
December 23, 2015 at 5:02 pmHi Shannon, glad it worked, when baking all ingredients have to be precise, with cooking not so much. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Linda Sims says
December 19, 2015 at 7:32 pmI just finished baking your shortbread cookie recipe and both my husband and I agree, they are delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Rosemary says
December 19, 2015 at 10:41 pmHi Linda, so glad you like them, have a great weekend. 🙂
Samantha says
December 14, 2015 at 9:36 pmI used your mother’s recipe and the shortbread came out soft and beautifully! Thanks so much for sharing and will keep using this recipe for future use!
Rosemary says
December 16, 2015 at 11:42 pmHi Samantha so glad you enjoyed it.
Amy says
December 13, 2015 at 11:47 amI have always gone with the 3 parts flour: 2 parts fat/butter: 1 part sugar recipe. It would be interesting to see how your differ!
Rosemary says
December 14, 2015 at 12:35 pmHi Amy, this is the one and only shortbread recipe I have ever made or my Mom ever made. Let me know if you try it. Have a great day.
Lindy says
December 9, 2015 at 7:05 pmRosemary, wonderful recipe. What is “icing sugar”?
Rosemary says
December 12, 2015 at 3:21 pmHi Lindy, icing sugar is another name for powdered sugar or confectioners sugar. 🙂
Melissa says
December 8, 2015 at 2:23 amFor your mom’s recipe as it calls for salt do you use unsalted butter?
Rosemary says
December 12, 2015 at 3:23 pmHi Melissa, I use regular butter and I know my Mom did too.
Ava says
December 19, 2017 at 3:18 pmWhat is ‘regular butter’?
Rosemary says
December 19, 2017 at 4:03 pmHi Ava, regular butter is salted butter, not light not no salt, normal everyday butter (because basically that is all I get here in Italy). Hope that helps. 🙂
Laura says
December 1, 2015 at 5:08 amI have always used some white rice flour. But the real reason your mom’s win? The salt! Salt makes everything better. I adore shortbread at Christmas and I love the star shapes.
Rosemary says
December 1, 2015 at 11:06 pmHi Laura, yes salt does make a difference doesn’t it and nothing like shortbread!
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
October 9, 2015 at 10:10 amLove these – so cute! My mom used to make star-shaped Christmas cookies to hang on the tree – have bookmarked this recipe to have a go at making my own this year. Thanks!
Rosemary says
October 9, 2015 at 10:32 pmHi Jeanne, thanks they are really good too. Let me know how you like them. Have a great weekend.
motherwouldknow says
December 11, 2014 at 7:24 pmLove your “battle of the shortbreads” Rosemary. I’m with your mom on this one, but honestly I’ll eat either – or better yet, both – kinds. Thanks for stopping by our Happy Holidays Link Party – be sure to join us again this week, beginning on Saturday at 7 pm ET.
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
December 8, 2014 at 3:24 amThanks so much for bringing your Christmas Cheer cookies to The Weekend Social. Hope to see you again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. Pinned http://www.theKitchenChopper.com
Lou Lou Girls says
December 7, 2014 at 10:45 pmThis looks so perfect! I wish I could take a bite right now! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party. I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm. It wouldn’t be a party without you!
Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls
Joy @ Yesterfood says
December 4, 2014 at 1:29 amRose, shortbread is one of my very favorites, and stars just melt my heart! I will absolutely go with your recipe- I prefer my sweet recipes with a bit of salt. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinned! 🙂
rozpaige says
December 1, 2014 at 12:28 amBeing married to a Scottish man, we can’t get enough shortbread in our house. Actually, I’m the one who is the glutton over them. If you say that your mom’s recipe is the best, Rose, than I believe you! Printing and pinning! Thank you for sharing! Wishing you a delicious Christmas season of baking your family’s treats!
Roz
Rose says
December 2, 2014 at 9:24 amHi Roz, Thanks, I just love shortbread, what cookies do you bake for Christmas?