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Shortbread

[heart_this] · Dec 17, 2008 · 62 Comments

Shortbread

Shortbread is one of the cookies/treats that I most associate with the holidays. My mother has been making it every year for the holidays for as long as I can remember. I still find it a bit surprising that out of all of the treats out there with all of the flavours out there, that a simple unadorned shortbread cookie is one of my favorites. The way that it crumbles and then melts away in your mouth… the simple sweetness which is somehow so addictive… This year I wanted to try making some of my own shortbread. I did not realize how easy shortbread was to make but the basic recipe consists of just flour, butter and sugar. You pretty much just mix everything and either press the crumbs into the bottom of a baking dish or form a dough, roll it out and cut it into whatever shapes you want. A few minutes in the oven and you are all done. Shortbread freezes well so you can make them ahead of the holidays while you have more time and pull it out when needed. I don’t think my first batch will make it to the freezer though.

Shortbread

Shortbread

Shortbread

Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Servings: 10
ingredients
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
directions
  1. Mix the flour and salt in a bowl.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar in another bowl
  3. Mix the flour into the butter.
  4. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out the shapes that you want.
  5. Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until lightly brown, about 8-10 minutes.
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Cookie, Food, Recipe, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Katrina says

    December 17, 2008 at 3:00 am

    I just recently had my first true shortbread at a cookie making class and it was SO GOOD! Looked just like yours. YUM. Great job, Kevin.
    And the apple bread looks great, too!

    Reply
  2. Hayley says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:01 am

    This looks so tasty and rich! I love adding cranberries and pistachios to the dough for Christmas.

    Reply
  3. Rita says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:10 am

    I think often less is more, and shortbreads are a good example of that.

    Reply
  4. Darius T. Williams says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:28 am

    Looks simple and easy and quite delicious sir!

    Reply
  5. MaryBeth says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:40 am

    I too love a good shortbread cookie, I seam to only have them at Christmas time too. You made them look so easy I will have to try it for myself.

    Reply
  6. soulchocolate says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:51 am

    Great photography and looks truly delicious! Totally melt-in-your-mouth yumminess!

    Reply
  7. StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:51 am

    I agree that there is nothing like a good shortbread. So simple, yet so delicious. You did a great job with these. They look perfect!

    Reply
  8. Helene says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:02 am

    I share your love for shorbread. You did very well. They looks so buttery & crumby.

    Reply
  9. Elra says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:09 am

    I always love buttery taste from shortbread. Look pretty divine, kevin!
    Cheers,
    Elra

    Reply
  10. Sharon says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:11 am

    Shortbread is an often forgotten but yummy cookie. I wish I were the one who had taken a bite!

    Reply
  11. Sharon says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:20 am

    I’m learning so much from your blog – I have never tried shortbread before, as silly as this sounds!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:25 am

    I have childhood memories of my mother baking shortbread during the holidays as well. She still makes it and I’m definitely looking forward to enjoying it this year. I had no idea it was this easy to make!

    Reply
  13. Manggy says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:47 am

    Lovely shot Kevin! They do look good– and if I understand it, even more tender when part of the flour is cornstarch 🙂

    Reply
  14. ttfn300 says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:49 am

    Mmm, so good!

    Reply
  15. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    December 17, 2008 at 6:05 am

    I love shortbread cookies too! It is such a delicate and scrumptious treat!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  16. diva says

    December 17, 2008 at 10:15 am

    aww kevin your shortbread looks lovely.it’s making me wanna go into the kitchen and whip some up too. scottish shortbread is just tres amazing. x

    Reply
  17. Urban Explorette says

    December 17, 2008 at 10:30 am

    They look great! Sometimes the best treats are the simplest ones. Happy baking!

    Reply
  18. Debbie says

    December 17, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    Sometimes the most simple foods taste the best!

    Reply
  19. OhioMom says

    December 17, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    I just baked my first shortbread, it is the bestest cookie 🙂

    Reply
  20. Shreya says

    December 17, 2008 at 1:27 pm

    so simple, and amazing it looks.

    Reply
  21. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

    December 17, 2008 at 3:59 pm

    Shortbread was my mother-in-law’s traditional holiday cookie, and to this day I still associate shortbread with her. She would often put little pieces of glaceed cherries on top for the holidays.

    Reply
  22. VeggieGirl says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:10 pm

    Classic!!

    Reply
  23. Xeyedmary says

    December 17, 2008 at 4:54 pm

    Kevin- thanks for the info on the pistachios!
    You’re killing me with your recipes- I want to make EVERY dish!
    Have you ever considered a printed cookbook?

    Reply
  24. Amy says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:00 pm

    Mmmmmm… Ok, so I’m definitely whipping up a batch of these this weekend.

    Reply
  25. mikky says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    i just love simple recipes… thanks for sharing… 🙂

    Reply
  26. Marjie says

    December 17, 2008 at 5:06 pm

    Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! I want these! Thank you for simple directions, Kevin!

    Reply
  27. Dawn says

    December 17, 2008 at 6:17 pm

    I love that first picture. Shortbread, as you can tell from my blog, is always something I’m cooking up either it’s sweet, salty or cheesy.

    Reply
  28. Cheryl says

    December 17, 2008 at 6:18 pm

    Wow that looks good, tender and delicious!

    Reply
  29. Natashya says

    December 17, 2008 at 7:13 pm

    I love classic shortbread the best too! All you need is a cup of coffee and a couple of Murocs to go with it and Christmas is complete!

    Reply
  30. Parker says

    December 17, 2008 at 8:12 pm

    I love short bread… it looks so good. Great photos.

    Reply
  31. Beth says

    December 17, 2008 at 8:52 pm

    Shortbreads are a favourite of mine too. Good that they can be frozen!

    Reply
  32. meeso says

    December 17, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    Shortbread is so delicious! You made it so perfectly, YUM!

    Reply
  33. Steph says

    December 17, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    I never made shortbread before, but I was thinking of spritz cookies the other day. You make something so difficult to photograph amazing!

    Reply
  34. Pam says

    December 17, 2008 at 10:35 pm

    I didn’t know it was so easy either!

    Reply
  35. Heather says

    December 18, 2008 at 12:46 am

    wow, that looks just lovely! i’ve never really made, or tried, shortbread. i don’t really know why! it looks lovely!

    Reply
  36. James says

    December 18, 2008 at 12:54 am

    the only problem with shortbread is it’s not very long…… [ha ha]

    A blob of creme patisserie, few raspberries and you’ve got a classic dessert.

    Reply
  37. Passionate About Baking says

    December 18, 2008 at 1:00 am

    I love shortbread…& yours is so pretty, buttery & indulgent Kevin. Just right for the festive season!

    Reply
  38. Gloria says

    December 18, 2008 at 1:22 am

    I love this and look so yummy! Gloria

    Reply
  39. Lisa says

    December 18, 2008 at 2:05 am

    Just perfect. I too prefer shortbread without adornment!

    Reply
  40. Hannah says

    December 18, 2008 at 2:30 am

    i think i’m going to try this recipe, the last time i tried to make shortbread i fail miserably! haha.

    Reply
  41. Marc @ NoRecipes says

    December 18, 2008 at 4:17 am

    Love shortbread. The flour is really just a foil to enjoy the butter and sugar. Yours look great!

    Reply
  42. elly says

    December 18, 2008 at 4:40 am

    I’m ashamed of how much shortbread I can put down 🙂 I love it too. It’s so simple but so delicious. Yours looks great!

    Reply
  43. Jan says

    December 18, 2008 at 5:59 pm

    I’ve never made shortbread – I will have to give it a go!

    Reply
  44. timboxyz says

    December 18, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    These look really good!

    Have you ever tried dipping half of each cookie in some melted chocolate? I would imagine that could be quite tasty. 🙂

    Reply
  45. rhonalala says

    December 19, 2008 at 5:17 am

    YUM!!! They look so delicious. I have never made these babies before but I am thinking of whipping some up this weekend for next weeks gifts. Hm, now I just have to find the time.

    Reply
  46. sugarlens says

    December 19, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    I love shortbread cookies, too. I tried making them once, but they didn’t turn out so well. I may have to try yours!

    Reply
  47. Jan says

    December 20, 2008 at 1:27 am

    I always thought that shortbread would be really difficult to make, and steered clear of it. Thanks Kevin, I’ve seen the light.

    Reply
  48. Mrs Ergül says

    December 20, 2008 at 5:24 am

    my husband will like this!

    Reply
  49. Eunice says

    December 21, 2008 at 3:10 am

    Kevin this is amazingly simple and…simply amazing! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  50. Jaime says

    December 21, 2008 at 3:58 am

    mmmm …just dip half of the shortbread in chocolate and you’ve got a special treat! check these out:
    http://www.goodeatsblog.com/2007/12/merry-christmas.html

    Reply
  51. Anonymous says

    December 30, 2008 at 1:51 am

    I’m a shortbread fan as well. I like them spread with homemade jam or dipped in chocolate. Mmmm.

    Reply
  52. Patti says

    January 27, 2009 at 3:45 am

    Ohhh, I’m really glad I found a sugar cookie recipe that needs no refrigeration! 🙂 I’m making these in bar-form, slathering on some raspberry preserves, and then putting crumble on top. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

    Reply
  53. Abby says

    May 6, 2009 at 8:03 pm

    This was a great recipe! I even made it with wheat flour and it turned out wonderful! Thanks!

    Reply
  54. Amelia PS says

    December 8, 2009 at 2:06 pm

    these are always a hit.
    It's hard to keep them from browning on the bottom.
    Also, I have tried recipes in the past that call for rice flour…have you tried that?

    Reply
  55. Jessica Nunemaker says

    December 26, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Made for Christmas — very good. Simple deliciousness. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  56. TheLadyJessicaAnne says

    January 21, 2011 at 5:35 am

    Kevin, I just tried this recepie, and man, was it goood! It was simply perfect. And the easiest shortbread recipie Ive ever encountered. ive been making shortbread for about 8 years, and this has been the best one! Thanks so much! can't wait to make more!

    Reply
  57. Crystal Sell says

    November 15, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Yum these were perfect. I know they are so simple to make, but thank you for the recipe. These were perfect to put my gianduja spread in between. Can't stop eating them!

    Reply
  58. Anniegi says

    December 24, 2012 at 6:13 am

    Another winner from my #1 go to site when I need a great recipe! thank you

    Reply
  59. Suzanne says

    December 23, 2013 at 12:40 am

    Wonderful simple recipe. I had to wrap my "dough" in saran wrap and put in the freezer for 15 minutes. I rolled it out between sheets of parchment paper. Turned out perfect. I used heart cookie cutters and made sandwiches with my homemade blood orange marmalade.

    Reply
  60. Anonymous says

    October 8, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Hi i too failed at my other attempts but these were so good even my hubby loved them. Thanks 4 posting this recipe.

    Reply
  61. Marjorie Knight says

    December 22, 2019 at 1:10 am

    If you bake in a pan how long should it take to cook

    Reply
    • kevin says

      December 22, 2019 at 4:59 pm

      It should take about the same time, look for the edges next to the pan to just start to turn a light golden brown. Enjoy!

      Reply

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