Description
Scottish shortbread cookies deliver a buttery symphony of melt-in-your-mouth delicacy. Crumbly, rich textures combine with classic simplicity, creating a sweet indulgence that whisks you straight to Edinburgh’s charming bakeries.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Cookies
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
Sweeteners:
- ½ cup (60 grams) confectioners’ sugar
Thickeners:
- ¼ cup (30 grams) cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius), creating an optimal baking environment for the delicate shortbread cookies.
- Take softened butter and use an electric mixer to whip it until it becomes light and airy, creating a fluffy base for the cookies.
- Gradually incorporate confectioners’ sugar into the whipped butter, mixing at low speed to prevent ingredient splatter.
- Add cornstarch and all-purpose flour to the mixture, continuing to blend on low speed to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Increase mixer speed to high and continue beating for 3 to 4 minutes, transforming the mixture into a smooth, homogeneous dough with a consistent texture.
- Using a spoon, carefully drop dollops of cookie dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, positioning each scoop approximately 2 inches apart to allow for natural spreading during baking.
- Slide the prepared cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent over-browning.
- Look for a subtle golden edge while maintaining a pale, delicate overall color as an indicator of perfect doneness.
- Once baked, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest for a few minutes to stabilize their structure.
- Carefully transfer the cookies to wire cooling racks, enabling them to cool completely and develop their characteristic melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Notes
- Butter Matters: Use room temperature butter for the fluffiest, most melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies that will practically dance on your taste buds.
- Mixing Magic: Whip the butter until it’s light and airy, then gradually add ingredients to create a silky-smooth dough that promises tender, delicate cookies.
- Spacing is Key: Leave enough room between cookie drops to prevent them from merging into one giant cookie sheet, ensuring each treat bakes perfectly.
- Watch Like a Hawk: Keep a close eye during baking to catch the golden moment – too brown means dry cookies, while perfectly light edges signal shortbread success.
- Cooling Technique: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to wire racks, helping them set and develop that signature delicate crumbly texture.
- Storage Sweet Spot: Once completely cooled, store in an airtight container to maintain the cookies’ heavenly melt-in-your-mouth quality for days of delightful snacking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scottish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 178 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 98 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg