Preview: These iced shortbread cookies are simple but irresistible. Check out the super-cool method for rolling out the dough and cutting it into shapes.
What if you could make cut-out Shortbread Cookies that didn’t make a big mess on your kitchen counter? Try this neat-as-a-pin method to roll out the shortbread and cut it into shapes such as these butterflies.
Like most people, I reserve cut-out cookies (aka biscuits) for holiday celebrations. They seem like a lot of trouble.
I have a solution to save the day. But first, let’s talk about the ingredients in these cookies.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- BUTTER: Salted or unsalted butter are both excellent choices. Margarine will not give you the same cookie you see here.
- POWDERED SUGAR: Powdered sugar or confectioner’s sugar contributes to the melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these cookies so popular. If you don’t have access to powdered sugar, try making it with granulated sugar and a blender.
- VANILLA EXTRACT: Instead of vanilla extract, a tiny amount of almond extract could be substituted. Maple extract has its fans, too.
- BAKING POWDER: Baking powder has no substitute. Please don’t use baking soda.
- FLOUR: My favorite flour for this recipe is unbleached all-purpose flour. Next in line is bleached all-purpose flour
- MILK: Whole milk works best in icing for shortbread cookies, but reduced fat milk is OK, too. Although I love to use heavy cream in icing, it’s not the best for cookies because it doesn’t set up as fast.
- FOOD COLORING: This is totally optional, of course. The paste or the liquid is appropriate. However, start with only a drop or two in the beginning so you don’t ruin an entire batch of icing with too much color.
Check out this shortcut:
Sticky dough, cleaning up the sticky dough, getting the shaped sticky dough unstuck from whatever you’re rolling them on and transferring the cookie to a cookie sheet, etc. Ugh!
On top of that, they need to be frosted. Furthermore, the kids usually want to decorate them, too. Just thinking about the potential mess is a “Calgon” moment.
The other day, I ran across a great idea in Dorie Greenspan’s Baking cookbook. It’s so easy!
A simple roll-our secret for Iced Shortbread Cookies:
Open the bag on three sides and let your cookie-cutter go wild. Because the dough has been thoroughly chilled, the cut-out cookies are easy to pick up with your hands or peel off the plastic before transferring to a cookie sheet, ready to bake.
Here’s the best part:
Clean-up is as simple as throwing the bag away. No flour to sweep up. No sticky dough to scrape from your counter or cutting board.
Dorie’s technique is adaptable to most any roll-out-the-dough-and-cut-into-a shape recipe. Give it a try!
FAQ about these shortbread cookies:
If you keep them in an air-tight container, they stay fresh for up to two weeks.
Double wrap them to store in the freezer for up to two months.
Salted butter is the best substitute. Butter is what makes these cookies unique. Margarine or shortening would be a compromise.
A Valentine’s Day Variation:
Try these valentine-shaped shortbread cookies for Valentine’s party or as a special gift. I guarantee the recipient will be thrilled.
If you enjoy these, you will want to try these Irish Shortbread Cookies with green icing.
More shortbread cookies:
Shortbread Cookie Crust for Mini-tarts
This is a buttery sweet crust that will marry well with any custard or cream filling.
Ruth's Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Toffee Bits
Ruth's Shortbread Cookies with Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits are simple shortbread cookies with dipped in chocolate and decorated with more toffee bits.
Shamrock Shortbread Cookies
Shamrock Shortbread Cookies are classic shortbread cookies cut into shamrock shapes and glazed with green icing. Use a Ziplock bag to roll out dough for easy clean-up.
Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, you can help others and me by leaving a 5-star 🤩 rating in the recipe below. No comment is required.
Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
p.s. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can email me privately: paula at saladinajar.com.
Iced Shortbread Cookie Recipe
A simple but delicious shortbread cookie with a smooth butter icing. Kids and adults alike love these.
Ingredients
COOKIE DOUGH
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature (226 gr)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar (85 gr)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (14 gr)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (2 gr)
- 2 cups flour, all-purpose (240 gr)
ICING
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted (227 gr)
- 3-4 tablespoon milk (42-50 gr)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional) (7 gr)
- pink food coloring (1-2 drops)
Instructions
- Combine butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add vanilla and beat until combined.
- Combine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Add mixture slowly to the butter mixture, stirring on low speed. Stop beating as soon as the flour mixture is completely incorporated. Over beating will result in toughness.
- Form the dough into a slightly flattened ball and chill about 30 minutes. Place chilled dough into plastic zipper storage bag. With bag slightly open to allow air to escape, begin to roll out dough until it is evenly distributed in flat shape throughout bag. Place back into refrigerator until firm--at least 30 minutes--up to 2 days. Can also freeze at this point.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper, silicone mats, or grease generously with cooking spray.
- Remove cookie dough from fridge and carefully cut three sides of bag with kitchen shears or scissors leaving one side intact. Open up and use cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Because the dough is cold and firm, they should peel off the plastic easily. Place on prepared cookie sheet. Re-roll scraps after replacing plastic over top of new ball and refrigerate a few minutes until firm again. Repeat as needed until all dough is used.
- Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until light brown around the edges. Cool the cookies for 10 minutes on the baking sheet. Remove and cool completely before icing.
Frosting
- Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and extract. If too thick, add more milk a few drops at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar or let sit for awhile. Use food coloring to tint the icing. Ice cookies and allow to sit until icing is dry. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap for 1 month in the freezer.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
72 cookiesServing Size:
3 cookiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 53Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 8mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 0g
Ashrita
Wednesday 1st of September 2021
Hi Nancy, I'm not sure if the measurements in grams are incorrect, or if shortbread dough is supposed to be so sticky, but I followed the measurements in grams and my dough was very sticky and greasy. I had to add quite a bit more flour to fix it, and with some Googling I found that shortbread dough is supposed to be crumbly. Could you please check the measurements again?
Paula
Wednesday 1st of September 2021
Hi Ashrita,
Even though I'm not Nancy, I can confirm those measurements are correct. Did you chill the dough? That is an important step. Adding extra flour shouldn't hurt them too much. I hope they turn out delicious for you.
Jill Billions
Friday 20th of December 2019
Easy way to roll it out for sure but you’re Wasting all that plastic. Tossing it and filling up land fills or oceans. You can do the same thing between 2 pieces of parchment paper and reuse them over and over many times.
Robin
Monday 8th of February 2016
Hi, I am looking for a glaze to put on top of shortbread cookies - is this icing more like a glaze rather than a thick icing? and does it harden just a bit after it has dried so that the cookies could be stacked on top of each other? Thanks so much!
Nancy
Monday 14th of April 2014
Approximately how many cookies do you get per batch? I realize it probably varies depending on the size cookie cutters you use, but on average?
Paula
Wednesday 16th of April 2014
Nancy, The original recipe predicted 20 cookies but that is a full-size cookie. It makes at least 2-3 times that many of the smaller cookies that I like.
Heather
Wednesday 25th of December 2013
I've made this receive 3x in 3 days. Totally in love. My very picky eater may actually gain weight with these in the house as a reward. Delicious!