Classic Shortbread Cookies 

These timeless Scottish-style shortbread cookies are delightfully simple, requiring just basic pantry ingredients to create a melt‑in‑your‑mouth, buttery classic. The dough is rich and crumbly—no leavening agents needed—and the light sweetness lets the buttery flavor shine through. Once chilled and sliced, they bake into pale golden fingers or rounds with delicate crisp edges. Perfect for teatime treats or gifting these elegant cookies hold their shape beautifully and stay fresh in an airtight container. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, this recipe delivers irresistible charm with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 10 tbsp (about 142 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  
  

• ½ cup (about 60 g) confectioners’ (icing) sugar
  
  

• ½ tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
  
  

• 1½ cups (about 180 g) all‑purpose flour
  
  

• ½ tsp kosher salt (optional)
  
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.
   
   

2. In a mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter (and vanilla, if using) until smooth and creamy.
   
   

3. Add the confectioners’ sugar and salt; continue mixing until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl.
   
   

4. With the mixer on low, gradually add flour and mix just until dough comes together. Avoid over-mixing.
   
   

5. Shape the dough into a log or rectangular block, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 1 hour until firm.
   
   

6. Slice chilled dough into ½‑inch thick rounds or rectangles, spacing them about 1 inch apart on the prepared sheet. Use a fork or skewer to gently press a pattern on top if desired.
   
   

7. Bake for approximately 10–20 minutes (depending on cookie size), rotating halfway through, until edges begin to turn very light golden. Cookies should remain pale overall.
   
   

8. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before storing. 

Nutrients (per cookie, yields ~16)

• Calories: ~120 kcal
  
  

• Total Fat: ~8 g (mostly saturated)
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~12 g
  
  

• Protein: ~1 g
  
  

• Sugar: ~4 g
  
  

• Sodium: ~50 mg (if salt included)