Best Shortbread Cookies Recipe

5 from 156 votes

Best Shortbread Cookies Recipe

This is the best shortbread cookies recipe - a buttery melt-in-your-mouth treat that is perfect all year long and especially for the holidays.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Total Time25

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: cookies

Author: Kristyn Merkley

Ingredients

2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups all-purpose flour
1-2 tablespoons milk, as needed

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix well to combine.
Add flour and mix until the dough fully combines. Add milk as needed until the dough reaches the consistency of Play-Doh.
Scoop the dough into a cookie press. Hold the cookie press down on an ungreased, unlined baking sheet and press to form cookies.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until very lightly golden on the bottom.
Let cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then remove to a rack to cool.

Video

Notes

No cookie press? Roll into a 2-inch thick log and use a sharp knife to slice even circles. Or, roll the dough out to about ¼ inch thick and use cookie cutters to stamp out shapes.

Store cookies in an airtight container for 1-2 weeks at room temperature or freeze for 2-3 months.

Store cookie dough to bake later. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days or 4-6 weeks in the freezer. If freezing the dough, also wrap it with aluminum foil.

Nutrition