These whipped shortbread cookies are buttery, soft, and light as air, just like the ones Grandma used to make. With a touch of vanilla and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, they're the best cookies to bake for Christmas, Easter, or Thanksgiving. You'll see how to make shortbread cookies that turn out beautifully every time, even in small batches. Pin this recipe now so you'll have an easy holiday baking favorite ready whenever you need it!
Why is this the best easy shortbread cookies recipe
These are the perfect shortbread cookie recipe for any family gathering! They are simple to make and appeal to almost everyone.
These shortbread cookies are easy to make. Create a quick cookie dough with a few ingredients, then scoop the quick dough onto a baking sheet and bake. That's it!
The ingredients for this easy baking recipe are very common. You probably have most of the simple ingredients already in your pantry, and the remaining couple are available in almost every grocery store or on Amazon.
These easy shortbread cookies taste amazing! Combine a buttery, rich shortbread cookie with a sweet hint of vanilla. These are going to be your new favorite Christmas cookies, which you can bake all year long!
These cookies are the perfect size! Each cookie is about two bites, and they hold their shape when you bite into them. No crumbly shortbread here!
What you'll need to make whipped shortbread cookies
Equipment
- Electric mixer - This is the best way to cream the butter and sugar together. That is the foundation of most cookie doughs, and this one is no exception!
- Scoop set - This allows you to make all the cookies the exact same size, so they bake evenly. If they're not all the same size, some will be overbaked while others are underbaked.
- Parchment paper - I always line my baking sheet with parchment so that the cookies don't stick. It also helps to make clean-up easier.
- Baking sheet - I always use a baking sheet with a raised rim around the edges, but a traditional flat cookie sheet will also work beautifully.
Ingredients
See the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page for all measurements and nutritional information.
- Unsalted butter - This should be room temperature and soft but not melted.
- Powdered sugar - I do not recommend an alternate sweetener. This recipe was created with powdered sugar, and it needs powdered sugar in order to form the cookies.
- Vanilla bean paste - Vanilla bean paste is a secret ingredient that a pastry chef told me about years ago, and I've been using it ever since. Vanilla extract is made by soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and then removing the beans. Vanilla bean paste is concentrated vanilla extract into which crushed vanilla beans are mixed. You can see the flakes of bean in every drop.
- All-purpose flour - This gives the cookies structure so that they don't fall apart when you bite them.
How to make butter shortbread cookies
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the dough by creaming together the butter, sugar, and vanilla bean paste with an electric mixer until the dough is light and fluffy.
- On a slow speed, beat in the flour until well combined.
- Use a two-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop cookies onto the baking sheet 1½" apart.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden on the bottoms. Cool slightly before serving.
Baker's Tips
Do not chill the dough.
This recipe requires a cookie scoop and cannot be rolled out like cut-out cookies. If you don't have a scoop, you can make the cookie dough balls using two teaspoons.
These cookies will still be slightly soft when they're done baking, but should be golden on the bottom.
Substitutions & variations
Because these cookies have only four ingredients, there's not much room for substitutions. You can use a different flavor extract such as almond extract in place of or in addition to the vanilla bean paste, but that's about it.
You can dip half of each cookie in melted chocolate for a different flavor or drizzle the baked cookies with homemade caramel sauce.
Add a citrus twist by incorporating a tablespoon of lemon, orange, or lime zest into the dough.
Stir in 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder, or a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
For a crunchier texture in this shortbread cookie dough, you can add your favorite nuts, like pecans or walnuts, and/or add dried cranberries.
Add peppermint extract and some chopped fresh mint.
Press a small well into each these buttery cookies before baking and fill with your favorite jam for easy thumbprint cookies.
Storing leftovers
Once cooled, place cookies in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store at room temperature up to one week.
You can freeze cookie dough. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.
Check out more delicious cookie recipes
- Cherry Pie Cookies
- Easy Monster Cookies
- Lemon Sugar Cookies
- Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies
- Christmas Sugar Cookies with Sprinkles
- Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
- Apple Butter Thumbprint Cookies
Recipe
Easy Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter unsalted, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1¾ cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the dough by creaming together the butter, sugar, and vanilla bean paste with an electric mixer until the dough is light and fluffy.
- On a slow speed, beat in the flour until well combined.
- Use a two-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop cookies onto the baking sheet 1½" apart.
- Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are slightly golden on the bottoms. Cool slightly before serving.
Penny says
This is exactly the recipe I was looking for.