Buttery Bliss Perfect Shortbread Sugar Cookies

Buttery Shortbread Sugar Cookies Easy Bake Off Treat

By Lila BeaumontOctober 3, 2025

Table of Contents

Recipe Introduction

Fancy a bit of baking? Let's dive into shortbread sugar cookies . Ever wondered how to make those gorgeous, festive cookies you see in shop windows?

Quick Hook

Honestly, who doesn't love a good sugar cookie? These shortbread sugar cookies are melt-in-your mouth amazing. They’ve got that rich, buttery taste and are just begging for some decorative cookie baking .

Brief Overview

Shortbread has its roots in Scotland. These are buttery, tender, and perfect for decorating. This recipe is easy and takes about an hour, including chilling.

It yields around 24 cookies, perfect for sharing... or not. Sugar Cookie Shape Recipe are endless.

Main Benefits

These cookies are a real treat. They are perfect for any occasion from Christmas to a tea party. What makes them special? They are so buttery! Ideal as christmas shortbread cookies .

I mean, who can resist a buttery, melt-in-your mouth treat?

Ready to get started? Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients For Buttery Sugar Cookies

Grab these ingredients and let's start! You will need butter, sugar, vanilla, flour, and a pinch of salt. I always use unsalted butter.

Don't forget your shortbread cookie icing ideas ! Flavored Sugar Cookie Recipe Cut Out are possible adding lemon zest.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Baking!

So, you're ready to make some shortbread sugar cookies , eh? Good on ya! This easy sugar cookie recipe is proper dead simple.

Trust me, even if your baking skills are a bit "dodgy," you'll nail these. The key? Getting your ingredients sorted.

And having the right tools.

Main Ingredients: Sorted!

Alright, listen up! Here's what you'll need for these melt in your mouth cookies, in both US and metric measurements, because, you know, we're civilized:

Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (2 sticks or 227g ). It must be softened, alright? Softened, not melted!
Granulated Sugar: ½ cup ( 100g ). This is what gives our decorative cookie baking that sweet, sweet kiss.
Powdered Sugar: ¼ cup ( 30g ). This makes the texture super buttery sugar cookies .
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon ( 5ml ). Get the good stuff, yeah? It makes a difference.
All-Purpose Flour: 2 ¼ cups ( 281g ). Plain flour, as we say in Blighty.
Salt: ¼ teaspoon ( 1.5g ). Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.

For the butter, get the best quality you can. It's the star of the show. Cheap butter can make your classic sugar cookie recipe cut out taste…well, cheap! I once tried using margarine, and oh my gosh, it was a disaster!

Seasoning Notes: Flavour Power!

Okay, so we're keeping it simple. But a few little tweaks can elevate your flavored sugar cookie recipe cut out .

Essential Spice Combos: A pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon in the dough. It's subtle, but trust me.
Flavor Enhancers and Aromatics: Almond extract instead of vanilla.
Quick Substitution Options: No vanilla? A tiny bit of lemon zest works a treat.

Equipment Needed: No Need to Splurge!

You don't need a fancy kitchen to make these amazing Christmas shortbread cookies ! Here's the kit:

Electric Mixer: A stand mixer is fab. A hand mixer will do!
Large Mixing Bowl: For mixing all that delicious dough.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measuring is key.
Rolling Pin: Get your dough nice and even.
Cookie Cutters: Whatever shapes you fancy for the sugar cookie shape recipe . Stars, hearts, dinosaurs…go wild!. I like to do a few shortbread cookie icing ideas with stars!
Baking Sheets: The bigger, the better.
Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Stops the cookies from sticking and makes cleaning a breeze.

Don't have parchment paper? Grease your baking sheet well. Lacking a rolling pin? A clean wine bottle works in a pinch! Just make sure it's spotless.

These soft sugar cookie recipe for decorating are surprisingly forgiving. Now, let's get baking!

Let's Bake: Buttery Bliss Shortbread Sugar Cookies

Honestly, who doesn't love a good melt in your mouth cookies ? Especially when it's a batch of these dreamy shortbread sugar cookies.

These aren't your average biscuits; we're talking buttery heaven that practically dissolves on your tongue. I've adapted this recipe from years of baking, inspired by both my Scottish granny's shortbread and classic American sugar cookies.

Think Christmas shortbread cookies for Santa. And it's easier than you think. Trust me.

Prep Steps: Mise en Place is Key!

First, get your act together. This is essential mise en place. Before you even think about switching on the oven, make sure your butter is soft.

I'm talking properly softened, not melted into a puddle. Next, measure out all your ingredients. This will save you time later.

Remember 20 minutes active prep, 1 hour chilling and 8- 12 minutes of cooking. Safety first, kids! Don't be a hero and try to lick the beaters while it's still plugged in.

Shortbread Sugar Cookies step-by-step

Ready to get baking? Grab your apron!

Cream together the 1 cup of softened butter, ½ cup of granulated sugar, and ¼ cup of powdered sugar until light and fluffy. This should take a few minutes.
Beat in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Oh my gosh, the smell!
Whisk together 2 ¼ cups of flour and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a separate bowl.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low until just combined. Seriously, don't overmix.
Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour . This is vital, folks.
Preheat your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) and line baking sheets.
Roll out one disc to about ¼-inch thickness and cut out Sugar Cookie Shape Recipe with your favourite cookie cutters.
Bake for 8- 12 minutes , until lightly golden around the edges. Let cool completely.

Baking Like a Pro: Tips and Tricks

Want that Bake Off edge? Here are some tricks.

First, chill that dough . It prevents spreading and gives you a perfect Sugar Cookie Shape Recipe. Also, don't overmix! Otherwise, you'll get tough cookies, and nobody wants that.

Aim for 8- 12 minutes . Avoid a soggy bottom.

Honestly, one of the most common mistakes is using butter that's too warm. It should be soft, but still hold its shape.

If you want easy sugar cookie recipe this is the key.

For make-ahead magic, the dough can be made a day or two in advance. Just keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge.

It can even be frozen for longer storage. Perfect for those unexpected Christmas shortbread cookies cravings. Happy baking!

Don't forget to decorate your cookies using shortbread cookie icing ideas to make the perfect Decorative Cookie Baking

Recipe Notes

Right then, let's talk about the nitty gritty bits, yeah? This is where we can really take those buttery bliss shortbread sugar cookies from good to Oh my gosh! .

Honestly, these recipe notes are what will turn your bake into something worthy of Prue Leith's handshake.

Serving them up Pretty

Fancy a bit of Decorative Cookie Baking ? When you've baked these easy sugar cookie recipe , presentation is everything.

A little dusting of icing sugar? Sorted. Or get proper fancy with royal icing! Think Bake Off final. A nice plate? A doily, perhaps? You know?

Plating Ideas: Stack 'em high. Arrange them prettily. A bit of edible glitter never hurt anyone, did it?
Sidekicks: A nice cup of tea. Hot chocolate with marshmallows. Or even a cheeky glass of dessert wine. Treat yourself!

Storing like a Pro

Right, so you've baked these amazing melt in your mouth cookies. Maybe you've got leftovers? Not to worry, here is how to store them.

Fridge Life: In an airtight container, they'll last for about 5 days. Blimey!
Freezing: Pop them in a freezer bag. They'll last up to 3 months.
Reheating: No need! These shortbread sugar cookies are lovely cold.

Mix it Up

Feeling adventurous? Let's have a play. Remember that a flavored sugar cookie recipe cut out can be a lot of fun, especially when you make them with the little ones.

gluten-free: Swap the flour for a gluten-free blend. Easy peasy.
Lemon Zest: Add the zest of one lemon. It's heavenly .
Seasonal ingredient swaps: A pinch of ground ginger and cinnamon for Christmas, or some orange zest for summer.

A Little Bit of Goodness

Look, I'm not going to pretend these are health food. But everything in moderation, yeah?

Simplified Nutrition: Roughly 120 calories per cookie. Buttery deliciousness!
Key Benefits: Well, they bring joy, don't they? And a good bake is good for the soul!

So there you have it! These classic sugar cookie recipe cut out are now even better! You got this! Grab your mixer, channel your inner Mary Berry, and get baking.

You will nail these amazing christmas shortbread cookies. I promise you, with this soft sugar cookie recipe for decorating , you will be the star baker in your circle, bringing joy and buttery sugar cookies everywhere you go.

You'll be creating edible masterpieces with amazing shortbread cookie icing ideas in no time. Go on, get baking!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my shortbread sugar cookies spreading in the oven? I want that perfect shape!

Cookie spreading is a common baking woe! The most likely culprit is the butter being too warm or the dough not being chilled enough. Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and that you've chilled the dough for at least an hour.

Also, don't overcrowd the baking sheet give those little biscuits some breathing room!

How can I prevent my shortbread sugar cookies from becoming tough?

Tough cookies? That's no good, is it? The key here is to avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tougher texture. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined think of it like being gentle with a soufflé!

Can I freeze shortbread sugar cookies dough for later? I’m all about batch baking like they do on The Great British Baking Show.

Absolutely! Freezing the dough is a fantastic idea for having shortbread sugar cookies on hand. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling and baking.

What's the best way to store decorated shortbread sugar cookies so they stay fresh and the icing doesn't get ruined?

Proper storage is crucial to keep those beauties looking (and tasting!) good. Once the icing is completely set, store the shortbread sugar cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent the decorations from sticking together or smudging.

They'll stay fresh for about 3-5 days.

Can I make these shortbread sugar cookies gluten-free? My friend's got a wheat intolerance and I don't want him to miss out on the fun!

Yes, you can! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a good quality gluten-free flour blend. Look for one that contains xanthan gum, as this helps to bind the dough, mimicking the effect of gluten.

You might need to experiment a little with the amount of liquid to get the right consistency, but it's definitely doable!

Can I add flavors or extracts to the shortbread sugar cookies dough?

Absolutely! Adding flavors is a great way to customize your shortbread sugar cookies. Extracts like almond, lemon, or peppermint can be added directly to the dough. Citrus zest (lemon, orange, or lime) are also great choices.

For spices, start with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom, and adjust to your liking.