Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Shortbread Cookies are super simple and easy to make holiday cookies. They are rich, tender and crumbly with a light pale color to them. Originally these cookies were served mainly around the Christmas and Newyear's time but now you can make a batch whenever you want using this recipe. 
In this post am sharing the most basic form of shortbread cookies made using simple 4 ingredients that are readily available in most homes - butter, sugar, flour and salt. You can even add vanilla extract or other flavor of choice. Butter rules the flavor for these cookies hence make sure to use good quality butter. 

These cookies are the base and you can make so many variations with them. Like for this post since its holiday mood I've sprinkled some red color sugar sprinkles on them just to bring the festive mood. But you can even add chocolate chips or other sprinkles of choice to the dough. 

You can even give various shapes to these cookies and if needed store it in the Freezer. When ready to bake, remove, transfer to baking sheet and bake. Allow additional 1-2 minutes for baking.

Now to the recipe...

Ingredients: 
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
¾ cup powdered sugar
2 cup all purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt

Method: 

Preheat oven to 350F. In a mixing bowl mix the butter until smooth (you can do this with hand whisk or using stand mixer like I did), to it add the powdered sugar and mix till well combined. Then add the salt and all purpose flour and mix till all is well combined. 

When it looks like a crumbly yet soft pilable dough, remove it onto a clean surface and knead for few seconds and then form a rough ball, flatten it and place on a plastic wrap. Refrigerate for an 1 hour. 

Remove from refrigerator and unwrap the plastic.Transfer to a cookie pan and roll using a rolling pin to approximately ½ inch thickness. Dough may seem hard at first but you will be able to roll it. If not wait for a few seconds and roll again. Using  a cookie scraper or sharp knife make cuts as shown. Or you can use a cookie cutter and give the shape of choice. 

Using fork, pierce each cookie to give it a design of choice. Bake at 350F for 15-20 mins or until the sides start turning golden brown. Baked mine for 18 minutes. Do not brown these Once out of the oven, once again run the knife through the cuts to separate them (most important). Allow the cookies to cool completely and then store them in airtight container or Slider Storage Bags. 

Holiday's, parties and gifts all go hand in hand. With the holiday season just around the corner, its the ideal time to plan for gifts. Sharing homemade gifts/treats is always loved and appreciated. These Shortbread Cookies are perfect for this season and such great gift with so much less effort. Total win win. 

Slider bags make a simple and most effective gift bag solution. Hefty Slider Bags boast a strong, secure seal to keep contents safe and avoid spills and messes. Hefty brand products not only include Slider Storage and Freezer Bags, but also trash bags and tableware. Discover how Hefty can help you with home solutions today.

You can dress up your holiday gift bags, make them festive and fun for the holidays using these awesome and free printable treat bag toppers! Click to download the holiday bag topper templates here. You’ll find links to download the Christmas Trees Template, Happy Holidays Template and Snowflakes Template. 

My Favorite Bag Topper is Happy Holidays. Whats your? 

That's it, bake your own batch of these buttery, tender and crumbly Shortbread Cookies and share with your family and friends for this holidays. Enjoy!! 

Happy Baking and Holidays!!
Shweta