Scotch Shortbread

Rated 4.2 out of 5
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A common first step in cookie recipes, creaming aerates the butter, resulting in cookies with a light, tender texture. To cream butter, beat it with an electric mixer or wooden spoon until it expands, lightens in color, and becomes soft and smooth. This should take 3 to 4 minutes with a mixer or longer by hand. Then add the sugar and beat until the grains are completely incorporated. Test by rubbing the mixture between your thumb and forefinger; it should feel smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once during creaming to blend the ingredients evenly.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 60 minutes
Servings 12
Makes 27 bars.

Ingredients

  • 16 Tbs. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at roomtemperature
  • 1⁄4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 Tbs. forsprinkling
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1⁄4 tsp. salt

Directions

Preheat an oven to 300°F.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter on high speed until fluffy and pale yellow. Add the confectioners' sugar and the 1/4 cup granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is no longer gritty when rubbed between your thumb and finger. Beat in the vanilla.

Over a sheet of waxed paper, sift together the flour and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix on low speed or stir with a wooden spoon just until blended.

Using floured fingertips, press the dough evenly into an ungreased 9-inch square baking pan. Sprinkle evenly with the 1 Tbs. granulated sugar.

Bake the shortbread until the edges are golden, about 1 hour. Remove the pan from the oven and immediately use a thin, sharp knife to cut the shortbread into strips 3 inches by 1 inch. Use a toothpick or the tines of a fork to decorate the shortbread with a pattern of dots. Let the strips cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes before transferring them to the rack to cool completely.
Makes 27 bars.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Collection Series, Cookies, by Marie Simmons (Simon & Schuster, 2002).
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Just What I Wanted This recipe was quick and easy. This was exactly what I was looking for in a shortbread. I made it two weekends in a row!
Date published: 2018-06-24
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Too Many Ingredients The name would imply there is scotch liquor in the recipe. This is a complicated version of Scottish shortbread. Butter, brown sugar or caster sugar and flour are all that is needed to make real Scottish shortbread.
Date published: 2015-08-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Best Shortbread Recipe!! Hands down the best shortbread recipe I have found. Its flaky, but moist. Perfect texture and flavor. I always use extra vanilla =)
Date published: 2014-05-13
Rated 3 out of 5 by from Delicious and Simple This is the easiest recipe and the shortbread is delicious. A perfect compliment to a cup of tea in the afternoon, Will be perfect for a cookie exchange tomorrow.
Date published: 2013-12-11
Rated 5 out of 5 by from Easy and Delicious These Shortbread's are to die for. The recipe is so easy and they turn out beautifully. I did have to pull them out of the oven at 45 minutes. I'll make these again. Thanks Williams!
Date published: 2013-12-08
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