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…

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!

More Scottish Shortbread Recipes:
โข Petticoat Tail Shortbread
โข Highlander Shortbread
โข Chocolate Orange Shortbread
โข Tantallon Cakes

Scottish Shortbread
PRINT RECIPEINGREDIENTS
- 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.


My favourite shortbread. So easy to make and yummy! I like to add chopped up nuts and smarties.
Can I make this recipe of shortbread into 2 x 20 cm round sponge tins as I quite like wedges.
Can I make this shortbread recipe into 2×20 cms round sponge tins as I quite like wedges of it.
I’m sure you can – just press the shortbread into the pan nice and firmly, and cut lines in it before you bake it so it will be easier to break into wedges later.
I’ve made these biscuits lots of times and they are always well received! I use this recipe all the time- it’s the best!!! Sometimes I’ve added some chocolate chips and nuts. They are very nice!
Not sure If Iโm missing this but how long will these last once baked?
In my house ..2 days tops lol.
The longer you allow the shortbread to sit, the richer it becomes. My 7th grade English teacher was from Scotland. She made these for class and gave out the recipe. She said she made these and allowed them to sit until the next Christmas. I tried, but I am too weak. All I could think about was shortbread cookies aging in my cubbard. That was it! They were gone!