3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (2024)

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I can’t believe it has taken me so long to share this 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies recipe. It is one of my favorite recipes and it is so easy to make!

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (1)

Easy to make 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies.

One of my friends suggested that we should have a cookie swap night. We would all gather together at someone’s house and make cookie trays from whatever cookies that have been brought.

It is fantastic to make one cookie recipe and end up with several different varieties at the end of the evening. But even better, it is quality time spend with friends!

So, of course, I jumped at the chance of participating.

However, things are a little hectic right now. So I needed to find a quick and easy, yet delicious cookie recipe to bake.

Quick and Easy 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies

That is when I decided that I would make my 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies recipe! Seriously – only 3 ingredients and they come out fantastic.

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (2)

After removing the dough from the mixing bowl, work it until it forms into a ball.

Butter, brown sugar and flour is all that you need to make these classic cookies.

I knew I can handle that!

The only problem was that I had used most of my butter sticks for our Thanksgiving recipes. I was already at the grocery store and I was trying to remember how much was needed to make this shortbread cookies recipe.

So my first instinct was to hop on our website and check out the recipe. We have a several holiday recipes, including manyCookie Tray Recipes.

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (3)

After you roll out the dough use your favorite cookie cutters.

But to much of my surprise, I had never shared our Shortbread Cookies recipe!

So this week, I decided that since I was making such a staple Christmas cookie, I would finally share our recipe.

Do You Have To Use Cookie Cutters To Cut Out Shortbread Cookies?

Although it is a traditional method to cut out the dough using cookie cutters, this definitely isn’t necessary.

I have seen (and tasted) several shortbread cookies that are cut in simple rectangle shapes.

So if you don’t have any cookie cutters on hand, or if you are pushing for faster and easier to way to make these delicious shortbread cookies, don’t worry!

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No cookie cutters required for these delicious rectangular shortbread cookies.

Simply roll out the dough into a large rectangular shape. Use a sharp knife to cut the dough across the long edges, approximately 1 1/2 inches apart.

Then cut across the smaller side, approximately every 2 inches so you end up with lots of rectangular cookies.

Once baked and cooled, these cookies are perfect to dip in melted chocolate on one end for a beautiful (and easy to make) addition to any cookie tray!

**Check out the recipe below and you can find a printable recipe card at the very bottom of this article.

Shortbread Cookies

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (5)

I always prefer to use parchment paper on my baking sheets for easy clean up!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

1. In a large mixing bowl add butter and sugar and cream together.

2. Slowly add flour and mix just until incorporated.

3. On a lightly floured surface work the dough until it forms a ball.

4. Roll out the dough to 1/2 – 1/3 inch thickness.

5. Using cooking cutters, cut into desired shapes. Or cut into small rectangular shapes.

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (6)

Rectangular shortbread cookies dipped in chocolate.

6. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes. *Optional – sprinkle the tops with sugar prior to baking.

7. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, place cookies on a cooling rack until completely cool.

Hints- If the dough feels too sticky after adding in the flour, add additional flour as you work the dough into a ball.

If you want sharp edges when you cut out your cookies, chill the cut out cookies before baking.

Check out our other Cookie Recipes here: OWG Cookie Recipes

Enjoy!

Mary and Jim

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Shortbread Cookies

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (7)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups flour, all-purpose

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  2. In a large mixing bowl add butter and sugar and cream together.
  3. Slowly add flour and mix just until incorporated.
  4. On a lightly floured surface work the dough until it forms a ball.
  5. Roll out the dough to 1/2 - 1/3 inch thickness.
  6. Using cooking cutters, cut into desired shapes.
  7. Place on ungreased cookie sheets and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheets for 5 minutes. Using a spatula, place cookies on a cooling rack until completely cool.
  9. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little more flour.

Notes

Recipe courtesy of Old World Garden Farms

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Unsaturated Fat: 0g

3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good shortbread cookies? ›

Tips To Make the Best Shortbread Cookies
  1. Choose High Quality Butter. No matter what brand of butter you buy, if it's real butter, you can rest assured that it's the best. ...
  2. Keep Ingredients Simple. ...
  3. Add Flavor. ...
  4. Don't Overwork. ...
  5. Shape Dough. ...
  6. Chill Before Baking. ...
  7. Bake Until Golden. ...
  8. Add Finishing Touches.

What is the difference between Scottish shortbread and shortbread cookies? ›

"Shortbread" is just Scottish shortbread; they're one and the same. While the recipe has changed throughout its history, and there is a version of shortbread from Ireland, the original shortbread you're familiar with comes from Scotland.

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 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.

When making shortbread, what must you not do? ›

Avoid making your shortbread too thick

This is much thicker than a roll-and-slice sugar cookie — or really any other popular type of cookie. If you keep your dough any thicker, you risk the dough coming out of the oven raw. If it's any thinner, the cookie will have a crispy texture with the snap of a graham cracker.

Is powdered sugar or granulated sugar better for shortbread? ›

Takeaway: look for recipes that use granulated sugar for a more crisp-style shortbread and powdered sugar for a more tender shortbread!

Should you refrigerate shortbread dough before baking? ›

As Leiths also recommend chilling the dough before baking, although only for 15 minutes, I make another batch of their recipe with soft butter, stick it straight in the oven without passing the fridge, and end up with thinner, crunchier biscuits – presumably because the mixture spreads as the fat melts.

Should butter be cold for shortbread? ›

Should butter be cold or room temperature for making shortbread? Always start with cold butter straight from the refrigerator. This will keep the dough from warming up, making it greasy and difficult to roll out.

Why poke holes in shortbread cookies? ›

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.

Should butter be cold or room temperature for shortbread? ›

If it's too warm, the butter and sugar cannot properly cream and the cookies will taste dense. Many shortbread recipes call for cold butter worked into the dry ingredients and that gives you a wonderfully flaky cookie but if not mixed properly, the results can be inconsistent.

What are the qualities of a good shortbread? ›

Good shortbread is pale, buttery, crunchy, and 'short'. This means it crumbles at every bite, giving that characteristic shortbread texture. It shouldn't be soft or chewy like cookies, and it shouldn't be browned.

Should you soften butter for shortbread cookies? ›

Many shortbread recipes start by having you cream softened butter with sugar, incorporating the dough with what former Serious Eats editor Stella Parks describes as “micro pockets of air.” Because air is a poor conductor of heat, “it helps insulate the dough from the hot baking sheet in the oven, slowing the rate at ...

How do you keep shortbread cookies crisp? ›

Place crispy cookies in an airtight container, but don't completely seal it. (The extra air will help cookies stay crisp.)

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