Shortbread recipe is the 'easiest you'll ever make' with 3 ingredients (2024)

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Shortbread is known for its simple buttery taste and is easy to make from scratch, unlike most other biscuits. Plus, it requires just three ingredients.

By Phoebe Cornish, Lifestyle Reporter

Home-baked shortbread is hard to beat for both its buttery aroma and sweet flavour.

While many recipes overcomplicate this traditional Scottish treat, one food blogger has a no-fuss formula that anyone can make.

Sharing the recipe on her blog, Bake Play Smile, chef Lucy claimed: “The famous three-ingredient shortbread recipe is the easiest melt-in-your-mouth shortbread you'll ever make... all you need is butter, plain flour and icing sugar!”

Whether they’re enjoyed straight from the oven or as a gift for loved ones, the creamy biscuits are perfect for winter.

They’re great for saving for a later date too and will keep at room temperature in an airtight tin for up to one week after baking, or, the premade dough can be frozen for one month.

READ MORE: Make 'intense' chocolate brownies using 6 ingredients including cocoa powder

Shortbread recipe is the 'easiest you'll ever make' with 3 ingredients (3)

The shortbread can be cut into festive shapes for a Christmas twist (Image: Getty)

Ingredients

For 35 cookies:

  • 340g salted butter, cold
  • 130g icing sugar
  • 375g plain or all-purpose flour

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Shortbread recipe is the 'easiest you'll ever make' with 3 ingredients (4)

Shortbread is easy to make with just three ingredients at home (Image: Getty)

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How to make shortbread

Preheat oven to 160C (fan-assisted), then line two large, flat baking trays with greaseproof paper and set aside.

Beat the butter in a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium strength until smooth, which should take around 30 seconds.

Next, slowly add the icing sugar and continue mixing this in until everything is well combined.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl to avoid losing any mixture, then add the flour and mix on low speed until combined.

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    The mixture should be crumbly at this stage, but it will come together when gently kneaded.

    Knead the dough into a ball (but don't overwork it) and place into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill.

    When time is up, take the chilled dough and roll out to a thickness of 1cm thick. Use cookie cutters to cut the dough shapes out, or create your own using a cardboard template, mug, or glass base.

    Place the shapes onto the prepared trays and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until just very lightly golden, taking care not to overcook.

    Allow to cool on the trays for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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    Shortbread recipe is the 'easiest you'll ever make' with 3 ingredients (2024)

    FAQs

    What are the main ingredients in shortbread? ›

    Put the flour, butter and sugar into a mixing bowl. Use your hands to combine the ingredients until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs, then squeeze until it comes together as a dough.

    What are the 3 traditional shapes of shortbread? ›

    Shortbread is traditionally formed into one of three shapes: one large circle divided into segments (“Petticoat Tails”); individual round biscuits (“Shortbread Rounds”); or a thick rectangular slab cut into “fingers.”

    What is the mistake in making shortbread? ›

    The most common mistakes when making shortbread are over-working the dough, and incorporating too much flour.

    What not to do when making shortbread? ›

    The key with shortbread is not to overhandle it. Make the dough exactly as instructed, but don't mess around making shapes or over rolling the dough - you will end up with delicious but tough biscuits. Stretching and pulling the dough activates the gluten in the flour, making chewy cookies and not crisp ones.

    What is the difference between shortbread and Scottish shortbread? ›

    Traditional Scottish shortbread is a simple recipe made with sugar, butter, flour, and salt. Other shortbread styles will include leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda, which makes them crisp instead of crumbly like traditional Scottish shortbread.

    What's the difference between Irish shortbread and Scottish shortbread? ›

    Irish Shortbread Is Distinct From Scottish Shortbread

    As cornstarch is a potent thickener relative to flour, this creates a denser cookie. Whichever version of shortbread you prefer, though, the original -- which is often just called "shortbread" -- came from Scotland.

    What does adding cornstarch to shortbread do? ›

    Cornstarch provides the shortbread with structure, but its biggest job is keeping the cookies extra soft, tender, and light. I love adding a small amount to chocolate chip cookies too. Optional Coarse Sugar Topping: For an optional sparkly crunch on your shortbread wedges, add a sprinkle of coarse sugar before baking.

    What is the new name for shortbread? ›

    ABC Bakers - Did you hear the news?! Shortbread is now Trefoils®! | Facebook.

    What is the world's famous shortbread? ›

    Walker's Shortbread is honoured to carry a Royal Warrant, granted by Her Majesty the Queen, for the supply of Shortbread and Oatcakes. Walker's Shortbread is a gift fit for a king, and a treat befitting any special occasion.

    Why is it called Millionaire shortbread? ›

    The name "millionaire's shortbread" appears to have originated in Scotland. The "millionaire" prefix to millionaire's shortbread or millionaires slice implies a level of decadence and wealth to the sweet treat, that it is an upgrade from regular shortbread.

    What happens if you don't poke holes in shortbread? ›

    Piercing the shortbread with a fork is not only for decoration, but it's meant for more even baking. Poking holes in the shortbread allows the heat to penetrate the cookie, hence more even baking. Notice I'm using powdered sugar here.

    Why is shortbread unhealthy? ›

    However, lipids, which are a component to food such as shortbread cookies are considered unhealthy because they are the most energetic nutrients in food and are a source of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (usually 40%) and sometimes also trans fatty isomers (TFA) [4,5,6].

    Why do you put holes in shortbread? ›

    The word "bread" comes from "biscuit bread" which was made from leftover bread dough that was sweetened and dried out in the oven to make biscuits. Why do you poke holes in shortbread? The holes allow the moisture to escape during baking and more even heat distribution. This helps dry out and crisp up the cookies.

    What's the difference between Scottish shortbread and regular shortbread? ›

    Traditional Scottish shortbread is a simple recipe made with sugar, butter, flour, and salt. Other shortbread styles will include leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda, which makes them crisp instead of crumbly like traditional Scottish shortbread.

    What is Scottish shortbread made of? ›

    Did you know Scottish shortbread is made from just 3 ingredients? Butter, flour, and sugar. No leavening agent (like baking powder) is needed. This is excellent news for bakers everywhere.

    What is the difference between a butter cookie and a shortbread cookie? ›

    As the name suggests a butter cookie has a high proportion of butter. However, unlike a shortbread the amount of flour and sugar used is increased meaning they hold their shape more effectively.

    References

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