Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

scottish shortbread cookies!

(2 ratings)
Recipe by
Charlene McGough
Johnson City, TN

This recipe has been in my husband's family for over 100 years. My sweet mother-in-law shared this with me. I will always cherish and treasure the many wonderful recipes she left behind.The secret is in the type of sugar used. Enjoy... as I have. I love to dip these on one end with melted chocolate w/paraffin or a very light sifting of confectioner's sugar on top. I also love using a crescent-shaped cookie cutter for these, making them elegant for any special occasion!

(2 ratings)
yield serving(s)
prep time 1 Hr
cook time 1 Hr
method Bake

Ingredients For scottish shortbread cookies!

  • 1 lb
    soft butter - must be soft
  • 1 c
    confectioners' sugar
  • 5 c
    all-purpose flour

How To Make scottish shortbread cookies!

  • 1
    Cream sugar (sifted) and butter (softened) with mixer (Kitchen-aid mixers are nice for this recipe).
  • 2
    Option 1: Using your hands, work flour into mixture, one cup at a time, work in well..Option 2: (or can use Kitchen-aid mixer with paddle attachment).Beat until mixed well and forms a ball.
  • 3
    Roll out to 1/2" thickness (I sprinkle powdered sugar on counter instead of flour) and cut into desired shapes (I used crescent moon and half-moon shapes here)
  • 4
    Put on cookie sheets, (may put close together -1" apart as they do not rise - and bake in a PREHEATED 275 degree oven for about 1 hour. The shortbread should be a pale gold color. Keep a close eye on it and don't let it get too brown.
  • 5
    Remove onto wax paper or parchment paper to cool. Using a fine-mesh strainer/sifter, if desired, you can dust a fine amount of confectioner's sugar over shortbread. Also, while warm, I sometimes sprinkle food-edible glitter on top, as shown in photo above. This gives it an added sparkle, which is nice for holidays or special occasions. These are great with coffee or tea and have a light buttery taste. The secret is in the confectioner's sugar instead of granulated sugar. Enjoy!! ~
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