Description
Classic Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, and delightfully crumbly. These traditional cookies combine simple ingredients like unsalted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and all-purpose flour to create the perfect sweet treat. Perfect for afternoon tea or as a festive holiday snack, these cookies are easy to prepare and bake to a golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered (confectioners’) sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This incorporates air and ensures a tender cookie.
- Add Flavorings and Flour: Mix in the pure vanilla extract, all-purpose flour, and kosher salt. At this stage, the dough will appear crumbly; gently use your hands to knead it into a cohesive dough ball, being careful not to overwork it.
- Shape and Chill Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and form it into a log about 12 inches long and 1½ inches in diameter. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up the dough, which makes it easier to slice and bake evenly.
- Slice Dough: After chilling, slice the dough log into rounds about ¼ inch thick to create uniform cookies that bake evenly.
- Bake Cookies: Arrange the cookie slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–13 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown.
- Cool Completely: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheet. The cookies will firm up and develop their signature delicate, crumbly texture as they cool.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is critical for easier slicing and better cookie texture.
- Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the cookies precisely.
- For a festive twist, you can sprinkle a little granulated sugar on top before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Slice cookies evenly to ensure consistent baking.
