Simple Shortbread Cut-Out Cookies with Icing That Hardens
Sneak Preview: These Simple Shortbread Cut-Out Cookies feature a melt-in-your-mouth texture and a smooth icing that dries firm enough to stack. A clever rolling trick keeps the process mess-free and the dough easy to handle.
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Cut-out cookies always seem like a fun idea—until the dough sticks, the shapes stretch out of shape, and your counter looks like a flour storm hit. And don’t even get me started on the icing and sprinkles.
But then I found a clever tip in Dorie Greenspan’s Baking cookbook (paid link), and everything changed. With this method, you can roll, chill, and cut the dough without the usual mess—and decorating becomes the fun part again.
Ingredients and Substitutions
The Ziplock Shortcut That Changes Everything
⬇️ Jump to the recipe below for exact amounts and detailed instructions.
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 almost any roll-out-the-dough-and-cut-into-a-shape recipe–like these Homemade Oatmeal Pop-Tarts. Give it a try!
Shareworthy Twists
- Irish Shortbread Cookies with green icing are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day next March.
- Try these heart-shaped shortbread cookies for a Valentine’s party or as a special gift. I guarantee the recipient will be thrilled.
Tips That Make a Difference
- Firm Dough = Sharp Edges: If the dough softens while cutting, pop the bag back into the freezer for 5–10 minutes. Firm dough peels away cleanly and keeps its shape when baked.
- Prevent Icing Mishaps: Let cookies cool completely before decorating, and make sure your icing is thick enough to spread—if it runs, it’s too thin.
Simple Shortbread Cut-Out Cookies with Icing That Hardens
Video
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¾ cup (85 g) confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose unbleached flour
Icing
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons (42-57 g) milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- 1-2 drops pink food coloring
Instructions
- Mix the Dough: Beat 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, room temperature and 3/4 cup (85 g) confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and mix. In a separate bowl, whisk 1 teaspoon baking powder with 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose unbleached flour. Gradually add flour to the butter mixture and mix just until combined.
- Chill and Roll: Form dough into a flat disc. Chill for 30 minutes. Transfer dough to a 1-gallon zippered plastic bag. Roll flat into corners. Chill until very firm (30 minutes to 2 days). Dough can also be frozen.
- Cut the Cookies: Use scissors to cut open three sides of the bag, leaving one edge attached. Peel back the top layer of plastic and cut shapes using cookie cutters. Lift and transfer cookies to a prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Whisk together 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, 3-4 tablespoons (42-57 g) milk, and 1/2 teaspoon (½ teaspoon) vanilla or almond extract. If too thick, add more milk, a few drops at a time. If too thin, add more powdered sugar or let sit for a while. Use 1-2 drops pink food coloring (or whatever you like) to tint the icing.
- Make the Icing: Stir 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar, 3-4 tablespoons (42-57 g) milk and 1/2 teaspoon (½ teaspoon) vanilla or almond extract. Add food coloring if desired. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.
- Decorate: Frost completely cooled cookies. Let icing dry fully before stacking or storing.
Notes
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Final Thoughts:
These cookies are always a hit at holiday gatherings! I love cutting them into small hearts and piling them in a crystal bowl—like I do with M&M’s. Even after Thanksgiving dinner, they’re irresistible, with guests grabbing a couple every time they walk by.
While it means sacrificing a zippered plastic bag, the time and hassle saved make it totally worth it. Happy baking!
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
What is the best way to apply the frosting/glaze?
Hi Gina,
I like to use a pastry bag or a makeshift pastry bag made out of a small ziplock bag. Put the frosting in the bag and snip a tiny hole in one corner. Squeeze it onto the cookie. I make an outline with one strip of frosting and then fill it in.
If you are in a hurry, arrange all the cookies on a cooling rack with something like wax paper or a cookie sheet under it to catch all the drips. Then pour the icing over all of them at once. If your icing is too thick to do this, add a few more drops of milk.
I used an electric mixer, but unfortunately, my dose seems crumbly. The taste is delicious, but I can’t seem to get it to be smooth. Any ideas what happened?
Are you using a large stand mixer? Did you let the butter come to room temperature? Is your kitchen chilly? You might try using your hands to push the dough into a ball like you would pie crust. If that doesn’t work, set the bowl in a warm place to warm up the butter so the ingredients will stick together. Hope that helps.
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?
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.
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.
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!
Hi Robin,
The icing is more like a glaze that hardens slightly.
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?
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.
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!
Are we allowed to pin this? Your site has a follow me button, but not a button saying I can pin. Thanks
What a FANTASTIC idea you have given me … after ALL these years you can teach an old dog new tricks … Thanks
Look delicious and adorable. Do they freeze well?
Hi Jami,
Yes, these cookies freeze very well as long as your wrap them up good. pr
Love the plastic bag idea! I hate using a pastry cloth!
This sounds so easy! Haven’t made cut-out cookies in about 15 years b/c they’re such a pain to roll out, but now– must try! Thanks.
Bonnie, the idea of rolling out cookies on a floured surface doesn’t appeal to me either. Ziploc bags are my friends!
I just made this shortbread recipe. Not only was it the best method I’ve ever tried, it is also the most delicious I have ever tried. I might try a drizzle of chocolate on them next. Thank you!
Yes, yes….chocolate would be very tasty.
I just made some! Mine aren’t nearly as pretty as yours, but they sure do taste good. I went all out and bought the almond extract for the icing. I think it’s great. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Stress-free rolling sounds wonderful. Iced shortbread is my absolute favorite sweet treat.
How cute and pretty! I love shortbread!
These shortbread cookies look fabulous! All I would need is a good cup of coffee and a few of these tasty treats and I would be in a happy place.
Thanks for sharing.
nice colourful cookies…
Wow! Awesome idea about the plastic bag! I will definitely be trying that out! These cookies are delicious!!