These Traditional Shortbread Cookies are buttery, soft, crumbly and incredibly easy to make at home. Made with just four simple ingredients, this classic shortbread is perfect for holiday baking, gifting, and everyday treat.
Classic Buttery Shortbread Cookies (No Chill Time Needed)
I've always loved how shortbread cookies can be so simple yet taste so luxurious. When I discovered that you can make these easy butter shortbread cookies from scratch with no complicated steps and no chill time, it instantly became one of my favorite baking traditions.
This homemade classic Scottish shortbread cookies recipe is effortless. With just butter, sugar, and flour, it turns into a tray of Classic Buttery Shortbread Cookies with that melt-in-your-mouth crumb everyone reaches for first. This shortbread cookie recipe makes a generous batch that's perfect for holiday gifting or enjoying with a warm drink.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Just Four Ingredients: This shortbread comes together quickly and always bakes into buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
- No Chill Time: It goes straight from bowl to oven, making it ideal for everyday baking or last-minute holiday treats.
Ingredients
Here's what you need to make this shortbread cookie recipe :
- Unsalted Butter: I always start with room-temperature butter because it blends smoothly and gives the cookies that rich, classic buttery taste.
- All-Purpose Flour: Simple flour is all you need; it keeps the texture tender and perfectly crumbly.
- Granulated Sugar: I prefer regular white sugar here for sweetness that doesn't overpower the buttery flavor.
- Pinch of Salt: Just a tiny bit helps balance the sweetness and make the butter shine even more.
How to Make Shortbread
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt.
2. Form the Dough: Mix until a soft dough forms, about 4-5 minutes.
3. Shape and Score the Dough: Press the dough into the baking pan, flatten it evenly, then cut into 32 rectangles and prick the top with a fork.
4. Bake and Cool: Bake at 320°F (160°C) for 40-45 minutes until lightly golden, then re-cut along the lines and cool before transferring to a rack.
My Tips for Recipe Success
Watch the Color Closely: I take them out as soon as the edges turn the faintest golden shade. They continue to firm up as they cool, and this keeps that tender, buttery crumb I love.
Flatten Gently and Evenly: I always take a moment to smooth the dough out so every cookie bakes the same. It's a small detail, but it makes the whole batch look beautifully consistent.
Store for Even Better Texture: I keep them in a tin once they're fully cool. By the next day, the flavor settles, and the texture becomes even more melt-in-your-mouth.
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Recipe
Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 600 g All-purpose Flour
- 400 g Unsalted Butter - At room temperature
- 200 g Granulated Sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt - Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet (12" x 10" / 30 x 25 cm) with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt, then mix until a soft dough forms, about 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer the dough in chunks into the baking pan, then spread and flatten it evenly using a small rolling pin or a glass.
- Cut the dough into 32 equal rectangular portions using a knife or a cutter, then prick the surface of the dough with a fork.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the edges are just lightly golden.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven, then cut along the scored lines with a knife to separate the cookies.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Maria says
These shortbread cookies look wonderful. I always appreciate a recipe that uses just a few simple ingredients yet delivers that buttery, crisp-tender texture everyone loves. They’re perfect for holiday gifting or enjoying with a warm cup of tea.