Saturday, January 17, 2026

Scottish Shortbread

  • 2 cups butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 4 to 4½ cups all-purpose flour

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F 
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. 
  3. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes using a hand mixer or stand mixer.
  4. Gradually add 3¾ cups of all-purpose flour to the butter mixture, mixing well until a dough forms.
  5. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. 
  6. Knead it for about 5 minutes, adding just enough of the remaining flour to create a soft, non-sticky dough. 
  7. Be careful not to add too much flour, as this can make the cookies dry.
  8. On a sheet of parchment paper, roll the dough into a 16x9-inch rectangle.
  9. Transfer the rolled-out dough on the parchment to a baking sheet. 
  10. Using a knife or a pastry cutter, cut the dough into 3 strips measuring 1 inch wide.
  11. Prick each cookie multiple times with a fork to allow steam to escape and help maintain the traditional texture.
  12. Refrigerate the cut dough on the baking sheet for at least 30 minutes, or overnight. 
  13. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
  14. After chilling, gently separate the cookies and place them about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  15. Bake the cookies for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bottoms are lightly browned. 
  16. The tops should remain pale.
  17. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. 

They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Kcal: 123 per cookie

Servings: 48 cookies (4 dozen)