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
ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
directions
- Mix the flour and salt in a bowl.
- Cream the butter and sugar in another bowl
- Mix the flour into the butter.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut out the shapes that you want.
- Bake in a preheated 350F/180C oven until lightly brown, about 8-10 minutes.
Katrina says
December 17, 2008 at 3:00 amI 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!
Hayley says
December 17, 2008 at 4:01 amThis looks so tasty and rich! I love adding cranberries and pistachios to the dough for Christmas.
Rita says
December 17, 2008 at 4:10 amI think often less is more, and shortbreads are a good example of that.
Darius T. Williams says
December 17, 2008 at 4:28 amLooks simple and easy and quite delicious sir!
MaryBeth says
December 17, 2008 at 4:40 amI 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.
soulchocolate says
December 17, 2008 at 4:51 amGreat photography and looks truly delicious! Totally melt-in-your-mouth yumminess!
StickyGooeyCreamyChewy says
December 17, 2008 at 4:51 amI agree that there is nothing like a good shortbread. So simple, yet so delicious. You did a great job with these. They look perfect!
Helene says
December 17, 2008 at 5:02 amI share your love for shorbread. You did very well. They looks so buttery & crumby.
Elra says
December 17, 2008 at 5:09 amI always love buttery taste from shortbread. Look pretty divine, kevin!
Cheers,
Elra
Sharon says
December 17, 2008 at 5:11 amShortbread is an often forgotten but yummy cookie. I wish I were the one who had taken a bite!
Sharon says
December 17, 2008 at 5:20 amI’m learning so much from your blog – I have never tried shortbread before, as silly as this sounds!
Anonymous says
December 17, 2008 at 5:25 amI 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!
Manggy says
December 17, 2008 at 5:47 amLovely shot Kevin! They do look good– and if I understand it, even more tender when part of the flour is cornstarch 🙂
ttfn300 says
December 17, 2008 at 5:49 amMmm, so good!
Rosa's Yummy Yums says
December 17, 2008 at 6:05 amI love shortbread cookies too! It is such a delicate and scrumptious treat!
Cheers,
Rosa
diva says
December 17, 2008 at 10:15 amaww 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
Urban Explorette says
December 17, 2008 at 10:30 amThey look great! Sometimes the best treats are the simplest ones. Happy baking!
Debbie says
December 17, 2008 at 12:20 pmSometimes the most simple foods taste the best!
OhioMom says
December 17, 2008 at 1:14 pmI just baked my first shortbread, it is the bestest cookie 🙂
Shreya says
December 17, 2008 at 1:27 pmso simple, and amazing it looks.
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says
December 17, 2008 at 3:59 pmShortbread 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.
VeggieGirl says
December 17, 2008 at 4:10 pmClassic!!
Xeyedmary says
December 17, 2008 at 4:54 pmKevin- 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?
Amy says
December 17, 2008 at 5:00 pmMmmmmm… Ok, so I’m definitely whipping up a batch of these this weekend.
mikky says
December 17, 2008 at 5:01 pmi just love simple recipes… thanks for sharing… 🙂
Marjie says
December 17, 2008 at 5:06 pmOoh! Ooh! Ooh! I want these! Thank you for simple directions, Kevin!
Dawn says
December 17, 2008 at 6:17 pmI 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.
Cheryl says
December 17, 2008 at 6:18 pmWow that looks good, tender and delicious!
Natashya says
December 17, 2008 at 7:13 pmI 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!
Parker says
December 17, 2008 at 8:12 pmI love short bread… it looks so good. Great photos.
Beth says
December 17, 2008 at 8:52 pmShortbreads are a favourite of mine too. Good that they can be frozen!
meeso says
December 17, 2008 at 9:59 pmShortbread is so delicious! You made it so perfectly, YUM!
Steph says
December 17, 2008 at 10:07 pmI never made shortbread before, but I was thinking of spritz cookies the other day. You make something so difficult to photograph amazing!
Pam says
December 17, 2008 at 10:35 pmI didn’t know it was so easy either!
Heather says
December 18, 2008 at 12:46 amwow, that looks just lovely! i’ve never really made, or tried, shortbread. i don’t really know why! it looks lovely!
James says
December 18, 2008 at 12:54 amthe 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.
Passionate About Baking says
December 18, 2008 at 1:00 amI love shortbread…& yours is so pretty, buttery & indulgent Kevin. Just right for the festive season!
Gloria says
December 18, 2008 at 1:22 amI love this and look so yummy! Gloria
Lisa says
December 18, 2008 at 2:05 amJust perfect. I too prefer shortbread without adornment!
Hannah says
December 18, 2008 at 2:30 ami think i’m going to try this recipe, the last time i tried to make shortbread i fail miserably! haha.
Marc @ NoRecipes says
December 18, 2008 at 4:17 amLove shortbread. The flour is really just a foil to enjoy the butter and sugar. Yours look great!
elly says
December 18, 2008 at 4:40 amI’m ashamed of how much shortbread I can put down 🙂 I love it too. It’s so simple but so delicious. Yours looks great!
Jan says
December 18, 2008 at 5:59 pmI’ve never made shortbread – I will have to give it a go!
timboxyz says
December 18, 2008 at 11:34 pmThese look really good!
Have you ever tried dipping half of each cookie in some melted chocolate? I would imagine that could be quite tasty. 🙂
rhonalala says
December 19, 2008 at 5:17 amYUM!!! 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.
sugarlens says
December 19, 2008 at 1:56 pmI love shortbread cookies, too. I tried making them once, but they didn’t turn out so well. I may have to try yours!
Jan says
December 20, 2008 at 1:27 amI always thought that shortbread would be really difficult to make, and steered clear of it. Thanks Kevin, I’ve seen the light.
Mrs Ergül says
December 20, 2008 at 5:24 ammy husband will like this!
Eunice says
December 21, 2008 at 3:10 amKevin this is amazingly simple and…simply amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
Jaime says
December 21, 2008 at 3:58 ammmmm …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
Anonymous says
December 30, 2008 at 1:51 amI’m a shortbread fan as well. I like them spread with homemade jam or dipped in chocolate. Mmmm.
Patti says
January 27, 2009 at 3:45 amOhhh, 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. 🙂
Abby says
May 6, 2009 at 8:03 pmThis was a great recipe! I even made it with wheat flour and it turned out wonderful! Thanks!
Amelia PS says
December 8, 2009 at 2:06 pmthese 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?
Jessica Nunemaker says
December 26, 2009 at 6:54 pmMade for Christmas — very good. Simple deliciousness. Thanks for sharing.
TheLadyJessicaAnne says
January 21, 2011 at 5:35 amKevin, 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!
Crystal Sell says
November 15, 2012 at 9:41 pmYum 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!
Anniegi says
December 24, 2012 at 6:13 amAnother winner from my #1 go to site when I need a great recipe! thank you
Suzanne says
December 23, 2013 at 12:40 amWonderful 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.
Anonymous says
October 8, 2016 at 3:31 pmHi i too failed at my other attempts but these were so good even my hubby loved them. Thanks 4 posting this recipe.