These Shortbread Cookies are buttery, tender, rich, and lightly sweet. These delicious cookies are traditional, simple, humble, tempting, and perfect with coffee or tea!
1 cup (227g)unsalted butter softened to room temperature
1 cup (130g)icing sugar
2teaspoonpure vanilla
Granulated sugar as needed for the toppings
Instructions
Preparations
Line two cookie sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Making The Dough
Whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
Place butter and icing sugar in a bowl of a stand mixer.
Cream the butter and sugar using a paddle attachment, initially at low speed and then at medium to high speed until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add vanilla and mix until combined.
Turn the mixer to low and add flour in two parts and mix until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Do not overmix.
The dough should be soft and hold its shape but not sticky. If it is dry, crumbly, and not coming together, you can add 1 teaspoon of milk or as required to bring the dough together.
Rolling and Cutting The Dough
Place the dough on a clean and lightly floured work surface. You can use a silicone mat or parchment paper.
Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick.
Note: In this recipe, I have first roll the dough, cut it into circles, and then chilled the cookie dough cutouts. But if your dough is very soft and sticky and having trouble rolling it, you can first place it in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. Then take it out and continue with the following procedures.
Then use the circular cookie cutter and cut out the cookie dough into circles. Instead of a circular cookie cutter, you can use your favorite one to shape the cookies.
Gather the scraps, roll them again in a ¼ inch thick disc, and make more cookie dough circles.
Carefully transfer to the prepared cookie sheets and place them about at least 1-inch apart.
Chilling The Dough Cutouts
Now transfer these cookie sheets into the fridge and chill the cookie dough circles for 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can also freeze them for 15 minutes.
Baking Shortbread Cookies
Preheat the oven to 325° F.
Bake the cookies, one cookie sheet at a time, for 15-18 minutes or until cookies are dry to touch and lightly golden around the edges.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the cookies generously with granulated sugar while cookies are still warm. Then transfer to wire racks and allow them to cool completely.
Storing Suggestions
These cookies are great as cookie jar cookies. They can stay at room temperature for several days, stored in an airtight container.
Shortbread Cookies also freeze well. Store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to a month,
Notes
Measuring: To make perfect cookies, measure the flour correctly. I suggest using a kitchen scale. If using the cup method, fluff the flour with a spoon and then spoon it into a measuring cup. Then, level it off with a knife.
Dough: Do not overwork the dough; otherwise, it will end up in dense and crumbly cookies. If your dough is very soft and sticky and you have trouble rolling it, refrigerate it for at least 15 minutes. Then, roll it and continue with the rest of the procedures.
Vanilla: For the best flavor, use pure vanilla, not artificial extract.
Make Ahead: You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
Cookie Cutter: You can cut the dough with any of your favorite cookie cutters.