Classic Buttery Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Classic Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread is a timeless classic, known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich buttery flavor. These cookies are simple to prepare and make for a delightful treat, whether for a holiday, special occasion, or just because you want to enjoy something sweet. This shortbread recipe yields 21 perfect pieces of buttery goodness, ideal for sharing with friends and family. Let’s dive into the preparation!

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough
   Begin by sifting the all-purpose flour into the bowl of a food processor. If you prefer to mix by hand, use a large mixing bowl. To the flour, add the almond flour for an extra nutty richness. Set aside.

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2. Incorporate the butter
   Cut the cold butter into small pieces. Add the butter to the flour mixture, along with the sugar and fine salt. Use the food processor or your hands to blend the mixture until it comes together into a smooth and homogenous dough. This step is key to achieving the signature crumbly texture of shortbread.

3. Shape and chill the dough
   Once your dough is ready, turn it out onto a clean work surface. Gently form it into a rectangular block, then wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up and make it easier to roll.

4. Prepare the baking pan
   While the dough is chilling, grease and flour a low, square baking pan, about 24×24 cm. This size ensures that the shortbread will bake evenly and achieve the perfect texture.

5. Roll and chill the dough
   After the dough has chilled for an hour, remove it from the refrigerator. Roll it out to fit the prepared baking pan, aiming for an even thickness. Once rolled, cover the pan with plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes. This step helps the dough maintain its shape and ensures a crisp texture.

6. Decorate and bake
   Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) if using a static oven, or 160°C (320°F) for a fan-assisted oven. Once the dough is chilled, remove the pan and use a fork to gently pierce the dough’s surface, creating the traditional shortbread design. These little holes allow the heat to penetrate evenly and give the shortbread its distinctive look.

   Place the pan into the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or 20 minutes in a fan-assisted oven. The shortbread should turn a light golden brown around the edges, which is a sign of perfect baking.

7. Cool and cut the shortbread
   Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the shortbread cool for a few minutes. When still warm, carefully flip the shortbread out onto a cutting board. Use a sharp knife or a pastry wheel to slice the shortbread into rectangles, about 3×9 cm in size. This is the ideal shape for these cookies, ensuring each piece is perfectly bite-sized.

8. Serve
   Allow the shortbread to cool completely before serving. The texture will become even more delightful as it cools, giving you that signature crispy, crumbly crunch.

Nutritional Information (per serving, approx. 1 piece)

These shortbread cookies are wonderfully simple yet incredibly satisfying. With just a few key ingredients—butter, flour, sugar, and almond flour—they come together to create a dessert that’s rich in flavor and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. The balance of sweet, buttery, and slightly salty flavors is sure to win over anyone who tries them. Enjoy!