Buttery Shortbread Cookies
Melt-in-your-mouth Scottish shortbread with just 4 ingredients
By RecipesQueen Kitchen • June 10, 2026
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 20 min
Servings: 16
Difficulty: Easy
shortbreadcookiesscottishbutter-cookiessimple4-ingredients
Pin This RecipeScottish shortbread is the purest expression of butter in cookie form — sandy, tender, and dissolving on the tongue with a rich buttery flavor.
The ratio is 3:2:1 (flour, butter, sugar). The butter must be soft enough to cream but not melted.
Prick with a fork for the traditional look, and bake until pale golden — shortbread should never be dark.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- 1
Cream butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
- 2
Add flour and salt. Mix until a smooth dough forms.
- 3
Press into an 8-inch round pan or roll and cut into shapes. Prick with a fork.
- 4
Bake at 325°F for 18-20 minutes until just barely golden on the edges.
- 5
Cut while warm but cool completely in the pan.
