We came across this recipe for Buttery Shortbread Cookies in our homeschooling curriculum as a hands-on activity to do together. As it is so very simple, it proved to be a great recipe for kids to handle with a good deal of independence. It also proved to be very delicious and we couldn’t wait to make them again! Lincoln said we should definitely share them with you all and I wholeheartedly agreed, so here they are.
While most shortbread recipes call for butter, sugar, and flour, these Buttery Shortbread Cookies are a little different. We used brown sugar instead of white sugar. As a result, they had a slightly caramelized buttery flavor that we just couldn’t get enough of. They are crisp and delicate, and pretty much demand a cup of coffee, tea, or milk for the perfect pairing.
To make these Buttery Shortbread Cookies extra amazing, be sure to use a good quality butter. I used salted Kerrygold, which I had stocked up on when it was on sale at Costco. Also, make sure your brown sugar isn’t too lumpy or it won’t cream into the butter completely.
You will find it useful to have a ruler handy as you are rolling out the dough. You’ll want to roll it between two pieces of plastic wrap into an 8 by 6 inch rectangle, 1/2 inch thick. Then use a large sharp knife or a pizza cutter to make small 1 by 2 inch rectangles. You’ll get 24 cookies total, and you can bake them all on one half sheet pan because they don’t spread very much at all. It is not necessary to grease or line your baking pan because these little cookies have plenty of butter already!
Shortbread cookies bake at a lower temperature (325 degrees) with a longer baking time (20-23 minutes). We want them to bake all the way through to the center before the outside is overly browned. This will allow them to be properly crisp rather than under-baked in the center.
The bottom of the cookies should be golden brown. This caramelization of brown sugar and butter is what gives these cookies their exceptional flavor. Once they have baked, remove them from the baking sheet and transfer them to a cooling rack so the bottoms will stay crisp.
I love how well these stout, sturdy little cookies pack up and travel. There’s just something about a cute little tin full of cookies that makes a road trip a little more enjoyable, and the miles pass by more quickly.
If you’ve never had the chance to make shortbread cookies, you should definitely give them a try. With only three ingredients, they are pretty much foolproof!
PrintButtery Shortbread Cookies
These exceptional Buttery Shortbread Cookies only have three simple ingredients and are pretty much foolproof!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) good quality salted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth.
- Add all-purpose flour and then mix on low speed until fully incorporated and a dough forms. Do not over mix.
- Scoop dough out and place on a piece of plastic wrap. Place another sheet of plastic wrap on top of the dough. Roll the dough out into a 6 by 8 inch rectangle, 1/2 inch thick. Use the sides of a ruler to make crisp edges.
- Cut the dough with a sharp knife or pizza cutter into (24) 1 by 2 inch rectangles, using the ruler to make even cuts.
- Place the rectangles of dough on a baking sheet (all 24 will fit on a half sheet pan) and use a fork to poke holes into the top of the dough.
- Bake for 20-23 minutes at 325 degrees. The edges should just be turning golden brown. Remove the baked cookies and transfer them to a cooling rack.
- Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3.7g
- Sodium: 62mg
- Fat: 7.7g
- Saturated Fat: 4.9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
These were lovely! Exactly what I picture Ted Lasso’s “Biscuits with the Boss” are like. I eat them while watching and react to them just like Rebecca. Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I used salted Kerrygold butter.
P.P.S. I bake them darker. SOOOO much flavor to these magical cookies. You cracked the recipe!
Do you think the recipe will work out if I make them with GF flour?
Sorry, I haven’t tested this recipe with gf flour so I’m not sure.
I believe shortbreas was traditionally first made with rice flour, so I reckon if yours is something similarly grain based it should work, and maybe even better!
I am wondering if I wanted to add crushed peppermint to these cookies what I have to alter the recipe in any way?
Well I guess I answered my own question. No, you cannot put chunks of peppermint in your cookies because it melts and the cookies run.
Can you put a dusting of white sugar on top before you bake them?
I have never tried that, but I think it could be delicious! Let me know what you think if you try it.
Hi- do you use light or dark brown sugar?
Delish! I wonder what they would be like if I used cake/pastry flour. Hmmmm
After baking, dip one end in melted white chocolate and then immediately in crushed candy canes for Christmas Cookies.
Yum!
Super simple recipe. Did not understand why my cookies spread so much and then realized it’s because I was baking multiple cookie recipes at once and added 1 cup of sugar instead of 1/2 cup LOL. They are still edible and now I’ll just have to try them again. Added 1 earl grey tea bag and a tablespoon of lavender buds- delicious!
I added chopped fresh cranberries! Great addition!
Question. I don’t have any salted butter. How much salt should I add to this recipe? Thank you
Just add 1/4 teaspoon salt and you should be good. Enjoy!
Hi there, would this work in a cookie press or a piping bag?
These spread out into mush for me sadly 🙁
I sprinkled some salt flakes on top before baking! Sooo good!!