These Christmas Shortbread Cookies are an easy edible gift to make for friends and family over the holiday season. Made with just 4 simple everyday ingredients, these buttery melt-in-your-mouth cookies are absolutely irresistible. The best shortbread recipe youll try.
Its the most wonderful time of the year and to celebrate I thought I should pop up one of the most quintessential festive recipes – Christmas Shortbread Cookies!
Christmas baking can be a bit intimidating but trust me – ANYONE can make these shortbread cookies. They are wonderfully simple and only require a few everyday ingredients.
Wrap these shortbread up for an affordable edible gifts for friends, teachers and colleagues. Theyre also great for when you need to bring a plate to share over the festive season.
Dont let the simplicity of this recipe fool you – these shortbread cookies are absolutely divine. Theyre buttery and crumbly with just the right amount of sweetness.
You can keep them as they are, or pop a little chocolate drizzle on top. Either way, you wont be able to stop yourself at just one!
Shortbread and shortbread cookies: These keep for at least 1 month. Springerles: These should be made 2 weeks before serving and they keep for several months.
How to Make Christmas Shortbread Cookies – Step by Step
Use a hand mixer to cream butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl.
Add half the flour, and continue to mix until just combined. Add the rest of the flour and again mix until just combined.
Divide the dough in half, placing each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic wrap over the dough to prevent your hands getting all sticky, then shape the doughs into logs. Rolling the logs on the counter will help it take shape but dont worry about it being perfect. If you want large shortbread cookies, make your logs around 5 – 7 cms (2-3 in) in diameter. For mini cookies, make the diameter half that.
Pop the logs in the fridge for an hour, or until completely firm.
Preheat the oven to 160C / 320F and prepare two baking trays lined with baking paper or silicone mats.
Remove the logs from the fridge and slice into 1.5cm (.5 in) rounds. Place the rounds onto the baking trays, leaving space in between.
Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the shortbread starts to turn golden brown, especially around the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking trays until firm (around 10-15 mins), then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nigellas Vanilla Shortbread (from Forever Summer and on the Nigella Website) is a nice choice for a Christmas hamper, or a gift bakset for another occasion. The shortbreads should freeze quite well but bear in mind that they can be a little delicate.
To thaw the shortbreads remove the containers from the freezer, carefully place the shortbreads on wire racks and let them stand at room temperature for about an hour before wrapping them into packaging for the hampers. The defrosted shortbreads are best stored in an airtight container and should keep for around 5 days.
Hello! I would like to try making edible gift baskets for Christmas this year, so I was wondering if I could make the Vanilla Shortbread in advance. If possible I would prefer to make the shortbreads up to 2 months in advance and freeze them. Will this be OK? Thank you!
Once the shortbreads have been baked and are fully cooled and cut up then put the cookies into rigid airtight containers. If you stack the shortbreads we suggest that you put a layer of baking parchment (parchment paper) or foil between each layer of cookies. The shortbread will freeze for up to 3 months.
We would mention that once the shortbreads have been frozen and thawed then they should not be frozen again, so you may need to warn the lucky recipients of this.
My Scottish Grandma’s Famous Shortbread Recipe + Why I Flew to Florida for it!
FAQ
How long will shortbread keep in a tin?
How long does shortbread last in a container?
What is the shelf life of homemade shortbread?
How long do cookies last in a tin?
How long can you keep shortbread in a tin?
PLEASE USE A SCALE FOR BEST RESULTS: no one in Scotland is making shortbread with cups. Store in a sealed container (an old Walker’s tin is excellent) and keep in a cool, dry place. Shortbread will keep well for weeks, but is also excellent after being frozen. If you plan to keep your shortbread for more than two weeks, I’d suggest freezing it.
How long does homemade shortbread last?
When it comes to the shelf life of homemade shortbread, it can vary depending on several factors like how it is stored and the ingredients used. Generally, homemade shortbread can last for up to two weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. The shelf life can be extended up to a month if stored in the fridge.
How long do you bake shortbread in a tin?
Bake your shortbread in a low/moderate oven for about 35 minutes till it is just turning very slightly golden. You do not want to overbake shortbread looking for a browned golden colour. Your shortbread will firm up as you allow it to cool while it is still in the baking tin.
How long do shortbread cookies last?
They are a popular cookie because they are buttery, crumbly, and delicious. Shortbread cookies are also a popular Christmas cookie. Shortbread cookies are usually stored in an airtight container and can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. They can also be frozen for up to two months. How long can you store your shortbread?