Description

This classic shortbread cookie recipe yields buttery, tender cookies with a delicate crumb. Made with simple ingredients like unsalted butter, sugar, and vanilla, these cookies are easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. The dough is pressed into beautiful shapes using a cookie press and baked to a light golden finish, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that is both rich and satisfying.

Ingredients

Shortbread Cookies

2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1-2 tablespoons milk (as needed)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookies.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which typically takes a few minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix well to combine all flavors evenly.
Mix Dough: Gradually add the all-purpose flour into the creamed mixture and stir until the dough comes together. If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk as needed to achieve a consistency similar to Play-Doh, which is pliable yet firm.
Shape Cookies: Transfer the dough into a cookie press. Position the cookie press directly over an ungreased and unlined baking sheet. Press the dough out into your desired shapes, spacing them appropriately.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should develop a very light golden color on the bottom but remain pale on top.
Cool: Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes after baking to set, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

Do not grease the baking sheet as the shortbread cookies need to develop their classic crisp texture.
Use softened butter (not melted) for best creaming results and texture.
If you don’t have a cookie press, you can roll the dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
For a richer flavor, some recipes add a pinch of salt even when using unsalted butter.
Shortbread dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days if you want to prepare ahead.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American