Melt-In-Your-Mouth Shortbread Recipe to Enjoy

When butter meets flour in this melt in your mouth shortbread recipe, magic happens in the kitchen.

Sweet crumbs dance with delicate precision.

Generations of bakers have cherished this classic treat for its simplicity and rich flavor.

Scottish bakers perfected these delectable cookies centuries ago.

Crisp edges and tender centers define true shortbread excellence.

Each bite promises a buttery embrace that melts smoothly on your tongue.

Baking these cookies will fill your home with warmth and memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12-15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 23

What You’ll Need For Melt In Your Mouth Shortbread

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation with smooth texture; choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates delicate sweetness and helps achieve melt-in-your-mouth texture; sift to remove lumps.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic aroma; use pure vanilla extract for deeper, more authentic taste.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor profile; use fine sea salt for even distribution.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates tender, crumbly cookie structure; ensure flour is fresh and properly measured.
• Cornstarch (Optional): Helps achieve extra-delicate, soft texture; improves cookie's melt-in-mouth quality.

Kitchen Essentials For Melt In Your Mouth Shortbread

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar to light, fluffy perfection.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ingredients smoothly and easily.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements guarantee delicious shortbread every time.
• Baking sheet: Creates a smooth, even surface for baking your cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone mat: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cookie removal.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and crisp up perfectly.
• Sifter or fine-mesh strainer: Guarantees lump-free flour for a delicate texture.
• Optional cookie cutters: Adds fun shape options if you want to get creative.
• Spatula: Helpful for scraping down bowl sides and transferring dough.

How To Bake Melt In Your Mouth Shortbread With Ease

• Oven Preparation

Warm up your kitchen companion to a cozy 325F. Grab a baking sheet and dress it in parchment paper, creating a smooth runway for your cookie magic.

• Butter and Sugar Romance

In a spacious mixing bowl, dance the softened butter and powdered sugar together. Whip them into a cloud-like blend that’s light as a whisper, letting their chemistry create pure happiness.

• Vanilla Whispers

Introduce a splash of vanilla, letting its aromatic essence weave through the creamy mixture, adding depth and warmth to your soon-to-be shortbread.

• Flour's Gentle Embrace

Slowly welcome flour into the party, folding it gently into the buttery base. Let the ingredients mingle and merge into a tender, soft dough that promises melt-in-your-mouth moments.

• Cookie Crafting

Shape your dough into delicate little rounds or roll it out like a delicate canvas. Place these sweet treasures on the prepared baking sheet, giving them just enough personal space.

• Golden Transformation

Slide the tray into the waiting oven. Watch as your cookies transform, their edges turning a gentle golden hue – a sign of deliciousness to come.

• Cooling Ritual

Patience is key. Let the cookies rest momentarily on the baking sheet, then transfer them to a cooling rack where they can breathe and settle into their crisp, tender personality.

Pro Tips To Nail Melt In Your Mouth Shortbread

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is softened but not melting. Room temperature butter creates the perfect creamy texture and helps cookies maintain their shape during baking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare shortbread dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Chilled dough helps cookies hold their shape and develops deeper, richer flavors.
• Texture Transformation: For extra delicate cookies, replace some all-purpose flour with cornstarch. This simple swap creates an incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that's irresistibly light.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend to make these shortbread cookies accessible for those with gluten sensitivities. Add a pinch of xanthan gum for better binding.
• Flavor Adventure: Experiment with flavor additions like lavender, lemon zest, or finely chopped nuts. Incorporate these mix-ins during the final mixing stage to create unique and exciting shortbread variations that'll surprise and delight your taste buds.

Serving Melt In Your Mouth Shortbread With Style

• Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange the shortbread cookies on a beautiful ceramic plate with sprigs of fresh mint or lavender for an elegant presentation that delights the eyes and enhances the visual appeal.
• Sweet Tea Companion: Pair these delicate shortbread cookies with a warm cup of Earl Grey or chamomile tea, creating a classic afternoon treat that melts perfectly with each sip and complements the buttery texture.
• Dessert Garnish Elegance: Crumble the shortbread over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a delightful crunch, transforming a simple dessert into a gourmet experience with minimal effort and maximum flavor impact.
• Holiday Gift Packaging: Stack the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, making them a charming homemade gift for friends, family, or as a thoughtful hostess present during special occasions.

Store Melt In Your Mouth Shortbread To Keep It Tender

• Smart Cookie Storage: Keep shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freezing Friendly: Wrap unbaked dough tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for fresh-tasting cookies anytime.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough 2-3 days before baking and refrigerate. This technique allows flavors to develop and makes last-minute entertaining a breeze.
• Temperature Tricks: Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Maintain consistent cool room temperature to prevent butter from melting and maintain delicate texture.

Buttery Shortbread Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Delectable Scottish shortbread melts in your mouth with buttery, crumbly perfection. Crisp edges and rich flavor make this classic treat an irresistible companion to afternoon tea or coffee moments you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups (250 g/8.8 oz) all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 cup (225 g/8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (60 g/2.1 oz) powdered sugar, sifted
• 2 tbsps cornstarch (for extra tenderness)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt
• Melted chocolate (for dipping edges)
• Sprinkled sugar or sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 325F (160C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, creating an ideal baking environment.
2. Creaming: Utilize an electric mixer to whip softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, pale composition with exceptional volume and lightness.
3. Flavor Infusion: Integrate vanilla extract thoroughly into the butter mixture, ensuring a uniform and aromatic distribution of flavor throughout the dough.
4. Dough Formation: Carefully combine sifted flour, salt, and cornstarch into the creamy base, mixing on low speed until a tender, cohesive dough emerges with a smooth, consistent texture.
5. Shaping and Positioning: Elegantly shape the dough by either rolling into delicate spheres or flattening to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. Precisely arrange cookies on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight spacing between each piece.
6. Baking Technique: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, monitoring carefully to achieve a subtle golden edge without compromising the delicate nature of the shortbread.
7. Cooling Process: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, facilitating initial setting, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to complete the cooling journey.
8. Finishing Flourish: Elevate the visual and gustatory experience by embellishing the cooled shortbread with an optional chocolate dip, intricate icing drizzle, or a gossamer dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Temperature Precision: Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and consistent cookie texture, avoiding cold or melted butter that can disrupt the delicate shortbread structure.
• Flour Handling: Sift flour and cornstarch together to eliminate lumps and create a lighter, more uniform dough that ensures a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Gentle Mixing: Mix ingredients on low speed to prevent overworking the dough, which can develop gluten and result in tougher, less tender cookies.
• Baking Watchfulness: Monitor cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking, aiming for a pale golden edge rather than a dark brown color to maintain the classic shortbread delicacy.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scottish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 0.1 g
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg