Description
Classic Scottish shortbread made with just four simple ingredients—flour, unsalted butter, caster sugar, and a pinch of salt—to create a rich, buttery, and crumbly cookie that melts in your mouth. Perfectly baked for a lightly golden finish and traditional shortbread texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 oz unsalted butter (softened – 2 sticks = 1 cup)
- ½ cup caster sugar
- ¼ tsp table salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on two sides for easy removal. You can also use a 9×9 inch pan or a round cake pan. Set aside.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, sugar, and salt to the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times until well combined.
- Add Butter and Pulse: Add the softened butter to the flour mixture and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs but remains soft and pliable. Avoid over-processing.
- Form the Dough: Press the mixture firmly into the prepared baking pan using your fingers and hands. If the dough feels too dry, pulse it a little more until it holds together.
- Score and Chill: Prick the dough at 1-inch intervals with the tines of a fork, then score the dough into 2 x 1-inch bars with a knife. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake: Place the chilled pan on the middle rack and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the shortbread is set and lightly golden brown. Be careful not to overbake, as this will dry out the cookies.
- Cool Slightly: Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
- Cut and Cool Completely: Using the scored lines as a guide, cut the shortbread into bars. Let the cookies cool completely before removing them from the pan to prevent breakage.
- Store Properly: Store the shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or freeze in a well-sealed container for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Traditional Scottish shortbread is a simple yet beloved cookie made from just four ingredients, delivering a crumbly, buttery treat everyone will love.
- Using caster sugar ensures a fine texture and even sweetness.
- Chilling the dough helps the shortbread hold its shape and improves texture.
- Do not overbake; shortbread should be lightly golden but not browned to keep it tender.
- For a different flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a pinch of ground cinnamon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 83 kcal
- Sugar: 0.03 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
