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Scottish Shortbread

If there’s one smell that takes me back to growing up in the home that housed Granny’s baking, it is shortbread. Alongside her Empire Biscuits, Shortbread is one of the recipes that Granny is best known for. Delightfully Scottish, these sweet buttery biscuits are what dreams are made of. And let me tell you, Granny…

Scottish Shortbread recipe for traditional butter shortbread, cut into circles and love heart biscuits.

If there’s one smell that takes me back to growing up in the home that housed Granny’s baking, it is shortbread. Alongside her Empire Biscuits, Shortbread is one of the recipes that Granny is best known for. Delightfully Scottish, these sweet buttery biscuits are what dreams are made of. And let me tell you, Granny has got the art of Shortbread mastered!

Possibly my favourite thing about Shortbread is just how versatile it can be. Be it cut into a variety of shapes; circles, fingers, petticoat tails, hearts…you can literally dress them up for any occasion! Or there’s the option of adding a little something extra; chocolate chips, ginger or Granny’s favourite of raisins soak in orange juice & drained, with some dark chocolate chips through them too. Shortbread can be dressed up (or down!) for whatever your needs. It’s even something that I have considered as wedding favours, when that day finally comes.

The best part about Granny’s Shortbread and what sets it apart from most other recipes is just how tried and tested it is. It’s crumbly, it’s buttery, it holds it shape and it’s oh-so sweet. Look no further folks, this is all the shortbread knowledge you will ever need!

  • It didnโ€™t disappoint.

    First time Iโ€™ve ever made shortbread. So many recipes about but Iโ€™ve tried other recipes from this site that have been great so went with this recipe. It didnโ€™t disappoint.
    Antonia
Stack of Scottish Shortbread, with a heart shaped biscuit at the front.

More Scottish Shortbread Recipes:

โ€ข Petticoat Tail Shortbread
โ€ข Highlander Shortbread
โ€ข Chocolate Orange Shortbread
โ€ข Tantallon Cakes

Scottish Shortbread recipe for traditional butter shortbread, cut into circles and love heart biscuits.

Scottish Shortbread

5 from 23 votes
PRINT RECIPE
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Scottish
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 150 g Caster Sugar (Superfine Sugar)
  • 300 g Butter or Block Margarine (at room temperature)
  • 400 g Plain Flour (All-purpose Flour)
  • 50 g Cornflour (Corn Startch)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat your oven to 180ยฐc (160ยฐc for a fan assisted oven) or Gas Mark 3 and grease a couple of baking trays with a little butter.
  • Cream together the butter & sugar in a large bowl until it becomes light & fluffy.
  • Sift in your flour & cornflour and mix to form a stiff dough. Tip the dough onto a floured worktop and gently knead until smooth.
  • Roll your dough to around 1cm thick and cut into your desired shapes. Transfer each shortbread to your pre-greased baking trays and prick each one with a fork on top.
  • Bake in your pre-heated oven for around 15-20 minutes until the edges of the shortbread are golden.
  • Remove from the oven and sprinkle a little sugar over each shortbread. Leave to cool on their tray for around 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All my recipes are developed using a digital scale and the metric system (grams and millilitres). Cup measurements are available as a conversion but these, unfortunately, won’t always be as accurate. For best results, I always recommend baking with a digital scale.

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103 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve made these many times and they have always gone down a treat. I have been asked for the recipe many times which is obviously testament to how good the recipe is. Few ingredients and easy to make. A lovely one for children to make for their friends/ teachers/ family at Christmas. Many thanks Amy for this fab recipe โค๏ธ

  2. Been making this since I was a wee lad about 60 years. Never used corn flour. Never had any complaints. Just saying.

  3. 5 stars
    Oh Wow, this has to be the best shortbread I have ever baked, they are absolutely delicious, what a great easy recipe to make, canโ€™t stop eating them ha ha
    Thank you

  4. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. Made exactly as instructed and kept fresh in a sealed tin for 3 days until all eaten. Thank you!

  5. Hi this mixture was as dry as a stick! Too much flour so it was like sand. Trying to rescue with more butter. I can share a photo if needed.