Description
Discover the simple elegance of classic buttery shortbread cookies. This recipe delivers melt-in-your-mouth texture with just three core ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour, creating a rich, delicate crumb perfect with tea or coffee.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
- Citrus zest (optional)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- If using, stir in the vanilla extract or citrus zest until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour and salt (if using) to the butter mixture. Stir until the dough just begins to come together. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Shape the buttery shortbread cookie dough into a slab about 1/2-inch thick. You can cut it into your desired shapes or press it into a baking dish and score it into squares.
- Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the buttery shortbread cookies turn lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality European-style butter.
- Chill the dough for a short period before baking to help the cookies hold their shape.
- Do not overbake; remove cookies when the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
- Shortbread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Unbaked shortbread dough can also be frozen for later use.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scottish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: N/A
- Cholesterol: N/A
Keywords: buttery shortbread cookies, rich shortbread recipe, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread, easy buttery shortbread cookies, best buttery shortbread recipe, how to make buttery shortbread, classic buttery shortbread cookies, homemade buttery shortbread, simple buttery shortbread recipe, authentic shortbread butter cookies, deliciously buttery shortbread, buttery shortbread cookie dough, what makes shortbread buttery, why are shortbread cookies buttery, buttery shortbread biscuits recipe, traditional Scottish shortbread butter, easy shortbread cookie recipe, butter cookies shortbread style, perfectly buttery shortbread, shortbread cookie butter content