Shortbread Cookies, a Scottish Classic

Ingredients

All you need for this shortbread recipe is soft butter, sugar (half of it can be powdered sugar), flour, salt, and semolina. I've baked the shortbread cookies with both wheat and spelt semolina before. The most important ingredients are the semolina and salt – without these two, it would just be a regular, plain shortbread cookie. If you like, you can add a little extra flavor with lemon or orange zest, chopped dried fruit, candied ginger, cocoa powder, poppy seeds, or cinnamon.

How to Make Classic Scottish Shortbread

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Let's begin! Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C) and line a small oblong or square baking pan (about 8-10 in/20-25 cm) with baking paper, or grease it and dust with flour.

Beat the butter with the sugar until fluffy. Add the flour, semolina, and salt, stirring until a crumbly mixture forms. Knead the dough together with your hands, then press it evenly into the prepared pan. Prick the surface several times with a fork before placing it in the oven.

Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until the shortbread is golden. Remove from the oven, and while still hot, sprinkle with a little sugar. Let it cool completely, then cut into finger-width strips.

Top Tip

In Scotland, shortbread cookies are especially popular at tea time. They also make a lovely addition to dessert plates, like alongside ice cream. This recipe is perfect for beginners or anyone with limited time in the kitchen. For us, the shortbread reaches its ideal texture and taste after resting for a day.

Recipe Card

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5 from 2 votes

Classic Scottish Shortbread

This easy Scottish shortbread is made with a sandy mixture and traditionally cut into oblong strips, known as "shortbread fingers."

Baking Time25 minutes mins

Calories: 121kcal

Ingredients

• 250 grams (1 cup) butter, soft
• 125 grams (⅔ cup) sugar
• 250 grams (2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 125 grams (⅘ cup) semolina, wheat or spelt possible
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Line a small oblong or square baking pan (about 8-10 in/20-25 cm) with baking paper, or grease it and dust with flour.
• Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the flour, semolina, and salt, stirring until the mixture becomes crumbly. Knead the dough together with your hands.
• Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, prick the surface several times with a fork, and place in the oven.
• Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, prick the surface several times with a fork, and place in the oven.

Ingredient substitutions

Do you want to replace some ingredients? Here you find tips for baking ingredient substitutions!

Variations

In the mood for more cookie inspiration? How about trying three-ingredient biscuits, vegan chocolate chip cookies, or sugar-free oatmeal cookies?