Shortbread Cookies

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This easy shortbread cookie recipe makes picture-perfect cookies that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Sprinkled with sugar and dipped in chocolate, they have a sweet and buttery flavor that’s totally irresistible. Plus, they keep for weeks!

Looking for more classic cookie recipes? Try these oatmeal raisin cookies, soft sugar cookies, and chewy molasses cookies!

Why You’ll Love These Homemade Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are a favorite in my household, especially around the holidays! Here’s why I think you’ll love them too:

• Super soft texture. The inside of each cookie is perfectly soft and chewy, but the outside has just the right amount of crispiness to it!
• Perfect for any occasion. Shortbread cookies are quick and easy enough for a last-minute dessert, but you can also dress them up and turn them into a festive holiday treat.
• Easy storage. I love how long these cookies can be stored for. It really comes in handy when you have a bunch of Christmas desserts to eat your way through. It also makes them a wonderful gift option – one that’s easy and inexpensive, yet full of homemade charm.
• There’s chocolate included! Adding chocolate makes everything better, especially when we’re talking cookies. With their vanilla flavor and chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, these chocolate-covered shortbread cookies are a guaranteed hit!

What Is the Difference Between Shortbread Cookies and Sugar Cookies?

Shortbread cookies are a bit less sweet, require fewer ingredients, and have a denser texture because they don’t have a leavening agent like baking soda or baking powder. Sugar cookies are more of an American thing, but shortbread cookies are a popular treat across the globe!

Recipe Ingredients

This dessert has a short and simple ingredient lineup, in true shortbread cookie fashion. Here’s what you’ll need (scroll down to the recipe card below for exact amounts):

• Unsalted butter – Bring this to room temperature before you begin.
• Powdered sugar – This is what makes the cookies melt in your mouth.
• Salt – To balance out the sweetness. Feel free to use kosher salt, sea salt, etc.
• Vanilla extract – Be sure to use a high-quality extract for the best flavor.
• All-purpose flour – For structure. Make sure to weigh the flour, or use the spoon and sweep method to be as accurate as possible.
• Sugar – Sprinkling some sugar over your shortbread cookies helps them develop that crisp exterior.
• Chocolate Candiquick (optional) – Or another melting chocolate of choice. You’ll need 4-6 ounces, depending on whether or not you’d like to add chocolate to every cookie.

Can I Use Salted Butter to Make This Recipe?

Yes, but make sure you omit the extra salt in the recipe or your cookies will be too salty. I usually prefer to use unsalted butter in baking because different brands of butter have different amounts of sodium. Using unsalted butter allows you to add the salt separately and therefore get more consistent results.

How to Make Classic Shortbread Cookies

You don’t have to spend a bunch of time or effort on this shortbread cookie recipe. Preparation takes just a few minutes, and the dough only needs to chill for half an hour!

Make the Cookies

• Beat the butter and sugar. Start by beating the butter and powdered sugar in a large bowl until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
• Add salt and vanilla. Then, mix in the salt and vanilla extract.
• Add the flour. Slowly add in the flour and mix until the dough is well combined.
• Chill the dough. Shape the dough into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes, or until you’re ready to bake.
• Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Roll out the dough. Roll out the dough until it’s slightly less than half an inch thick. You may need to let it come to room temperature first. I don’t use flour or anything to roll out the dough – I just roll it out between two pieces of parchment paper.

• Shape and dock the cookies. Cut the cookies into shapes of your desired size (I make mine 1×3-inch rectangles). Use a toothpick to poke holes in each cookie.
  • What does dock mean? When you dock cookies or a pie crust, it means that you are pricking the dough to add little holes. This allows steam to escape during the baking process and results in a more evenly baked treat.

• Add sugar. Sprinkle about half a teaspoon of sugar onto each cookie.
• Bake the cookies. Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden. Refrigerate additional cookies until the first batch is baked. If your cookies are thicker than I make mine, you may need to bake them for longer.
• Let the cookies cool. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Add the Chocolate

• Melt the chocolate. Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, mixing after each interval and reducing the microwave time as needed so the chocolate doesn’t burn. If you have a candy melting pot, you can use that instead.
• Add the chocolate to the cookies. Once the chocolate is melted and the cookies have cooled completely, drizzle the chocolate over your cookies. Alternatively, you can dip each cookie halfway into the melted chocolate.
• Let everything set. Place the cookies onto a sheet of parchment paper and allow the chocolate to set.

How Long Does It Take to Bake Shortbread?

You can tell shortbread cookies are done baking by their color. They will just be starting to change color on the bottom of each cookie. They’ll be just slightly darker than they were before you started baking them, but not golden.

Tips for Success

Listed below are a few important tips to keep in mind when you’re whipping up this classic shortbread cookies recipe. Be sure to give them a read!

• Use room temperature butter. If your butter is cold, you won’t be able to properly combine it with the other ingredients. Set it out on the counter a couple of hours before you start making your dough. If you cut the butter up, it will soften more quickly.
• Don’t forget to dock the cookies. Poking small holes into your cookies with a toothpick allows the steam to escape from them as they bake. This is known as docking, and it helps your cookies hold their shape. It also adds to the classic shortbread look.
• Do I really have to chill the dough? Yes, for several reasons. One, the chilling process stabilizes the butter, which prevents spreading during the baking process. Two, the dough is far easier to work with after chilling. Three, the moisture sets in the dry ingredients and gives a more tender cookie.
• Keep the second batch refrigerated. If you’re unable to bake all 20 cookies at once, remember to keep the second batch in the fridge while the first one is in the oven. This ensures that the cookies will not spread as much.
• Roll the dough out between parchment paper. This way you don’t add extra flour, the process is far less messy, and nothing will stick.

Substitutions & Recipe Variations

Shortbread cookies can go from classic to creative in tons of different ways. If you want to add some more spunk than a little melted chocolate, check out the variations below!

• Add pecans. Chopped and toasted pecans make a lovely addition to these shortbread cookies. They add a nice crunch and tons of flavor! You can also use another toasted nut of choice.
• Use a different extract. If you’d like to infuse your cookies with a flavor other than vanilla, simply switch up the extract you use. Almond and lemon are both great options!
• Add sprinkles. Adding festive sprinkles to your shortbread dough is a simple way to dress up these cookies for Christmas or another holiday. You could also sprinkle them onto the chocolate before it sets.
• Make chocolate peppermint shortbread cookies. If you really want to go all out with the Christmas spirit, I recommend making my easy chocolate peppermint shortbread cookies!

How to Store Shortbread Cookies

These cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature once the chocolate has set completely. They’ll last that way for up to a week.

If you’d like to store them for a few extra days, you can store them in the fridge in an airtight container. Let them warm up to room temperature before eating them.

Can I Freeze These?

Yes – if desired, you can freeze your shortbread cookies for up to a month. Place them in a freezer-safe container or a storage bag with all the air squeezed out. If your cookies are covered in chocolate, I recommend layering them between pieces of parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking.

Thaw out frozen shortbread cookies in the fridge before serving them. Bring them to room temperature before enjoying.

More Christmas Cookie Recipes

Every celebration deserves a decadent batch of cookies. The following recipes will have everyone crowding around the dessert table!

• Christmas Sprinkle Cookies
• Peppermint Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies
• Grinch Cookies
• Classic Spritz Cookies
• Gingerbread Cookies

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