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Scottish shortbread cookies

Traditional Scottish Shortbread Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Course Desserts
Cuisine Scottish

Equipment

  • 1 bowl
  • plastic wrap
  • cooling rack
  • cookie sheet
  • food mixer

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Begin by bringing the butter to room temp by leaving it out on the counter for 20 minutes or so.
  • Mix the softened butter with the sugar until light and fluffy.
    adding sugar over softened butter
  • Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, then mix well.
    mixing butter with sugar
  • Place an ungreased sheet in the pan
  • Pour the dough into a baking pan, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Press with fingers into 1/4 inch thickness. The key to successful shortbread cookie dough is to handle it as little as possible. Don’t pound or knead it heavily or this can affect the levity of the shortbread.
    pressing shortbread mixture with fingers in tray
  • Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut into rectangles. You can also use a cookie cutter, if that's easier for you.
    cutting shortbread with knife
  • Poke a fork carefully into the little rectangles, creating holes. This helps with even cooking. Place in the refrigerator for thirty minutes.
    poking holes with fork in shortbread
  • Bake for 20 minutes at 350 °F (175 °C).
  • Remove to the cooling rack, and serve.