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Luna Hossain

Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Making shortbread cookies is simple and calming, perfect for when a plain, buttery treat is wanted without extra steps. The oven is preheated to a low temperature and a lined baking sheet is prepared. Softened butter and sugar are mixed until smooth, then flour is added to form a thick, soft dough. The dough is rolled to about ½ inch thick, cut into shapes, and baked until the bottoms are lightly golden while the tops stay pale. The cookies firm up as they cool and can be dusted with powdered sugar. The recipe is reliable, uses few ingredients, is easy to handle, and produces crisp edges, a firm center, and rich buttery flavor.
Calories: ~120 | Fat: ~7g | Carbs: ~13g | Protein: ~1g
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 18
Course: Cookies
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Unsalted butter softened
  • All-purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Powdered sugar for light topping, optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or hand mixer
  • Measuring cups
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Set the oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The oven should be fully heated before baking.
  2. Put the softened butter and sugar in a bowl. Mix until smooth and pale, not fluffy.
  3. Add the flour to the bowl. Stir until the dough comes together and looks thick and soft.
  4. Shape the dough into a flat disk. Roll or press it to about ½ inch thick.
  5. Cut the dough into round or shaped cookies. They should hold their shape and not spread.
  6. Place the cookies on the baking sheet with a little space between them.
  7. Bake until the bottoms are just lightly golden and the tops stay pale.
  8. Let the cookies cool. They will firm up as they rest.
  9. If using, lightly dust with powdered sugar once fully cool.

Notes

If the butter is too warm, the dough will spread while baking. If you mix too much, the cookies can turn hard. Baking too long will dry them out and darken the bottoms.