Traditional Scottish shortbread is buttery, crispy, and lightly sweetened to perfection. Simply made with butter, flour, sugar, and salt, this classic treat can easily be made for the holidays or any time of year. I love a classic holiday cookie that we look forward to making every year. This Scottish shortbread is definitely one that always makes an appearance. It’s so delicious and never disappoints! Try more of my favorite holiday cookies like these pumpkin cookies, my cute grinch cookies, or these yummy Christmas butter cookies.
What is Scottish Shortbread?
Shortbread has been around for centuries. (It’s no secret why with how buttery and delicious it is!) Hailing from Scotland, the name has been attributed to Mary, Queen of Scots, who had a love for this buttery treat. It’s so fun to learn about the evolution of century-old recipes. Shortbread was once called petticoat tails because of its original wedge shape that looked like a woman’s frilly skirt. It’s also fascinating to know that shortbread was originally made from leftover bread dough that was left out to dry and harden into biscuit bread. Shortbread today appears in so many recipes and is a great base for some of my favorite treats. It’s amazing because it adds a delicious buttery texture to any dessert! I love the shortbread base in my millionaire shortbread bars and Twix cookies because it compliments the chocolate so well. I also love these lemon shortbread cookies because anything with lemon is a MUST for me!
Scottish Shortbread Cookie Ingredients
A traditional shortbread recipe only requires a few simple ingredients. You probably have all of them on hand! You’re going to love making shortbread from scratch. I love these cookies because they just melt in your mouth! See recipe card below for exact measurements.
All-Purpose Flour: A great flour to achieve the perfect shortbread texture.Granulated Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness. Shortbread is mildly sweet.Salt: A pinch is all you need!Unsalted Butter: Using high-quality butter is KEY. It will take the flavor to the next level! You also want to make sure it’s at room temperature before adding it to your dough mixture.
Scottish Shortbread Recipe
This shortbread cookie recipe is incredibly easy to make! Pulse your ingredients in a food processor then press the dough into a pan! The oven does all the work. Then you have perfect Scottish shortbread to share or keep for yourself! You won’t be able to get enough.
High-Quality Butter: Using high-quality butter give these buttery cookies a richer flavor! Standard butter works as well if that’s what you have on hand.Don’t Overwork: Avoid handling the dough too much in order to keep it light and crisp. Pulse just until it begins to come together then press directly into the prepared baking dish. Chill The Dough: Chill the cookie dough for at least 20 minutes before baking. You can prepare the dough the day before, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then bake it the next day. Make Sure to Poke Holes: To keep the shortbread from puffing up in the oven, poke holes into the dough! Poking holes after it bakes allows the steam to escape. This keeps the cookie dense and holds its shape.
Nuts: Add chopped nuts to your dough! Pecans, pistachios, or any nut would be delicious.Extracts: Adding extracts is an easy way to add more flavor. Try vanilla, almond, or hazelnut extract!Chocolate: Shortbread and chocolate is the best combination. Drizzle or dip your shortbread for an elevated look.Fruit: Dried fruit or citrus zest is my favorite way to add fruity flavors.Caramel: Caramel is meant for shortbread. It is the absolute BEST. End of story.
At Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 7 days. In the Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. Let the shortbread thaw completely on the counter at room temperature before serving.
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All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.
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