Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe
It’s that time of year! Time for Christmas baking and cookie exchanges. I’m apart of a Christmas cookie exchange and have been looking for a classic: whipped shortbread.
I’ve been searching for the perfect shortbread recipe and a dear friend of mine shared this one with me.
Whipped Shortbread
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Update: Nov 2014.
I have made these cookies every year since posting it way back in 2012. It’s been 3 years of Whipped Shortbread when it comes to my holiday baking and that will probably never change.
I love the tradition that my friends and I share: since 2012 we do a cookie exchange.
Since we all live in separate towns and cities, we don’t see each other as often (especially around the holidays) this is our way to stay connected for the Christmas Season.
How to Make Whipped Shortbread
Anyway, back to the recipe.
I love how easy this recipe is. It’s truly a no-fuss Christmas cookie recipe that tastes great and hits you right in the Christmas feels.
I don’t know about you, but I’m the messiest baker.
I tend to get flour everywhere and this recipe (for me) is a messy one. Cornstarch, powdered sugar, and flour? My kitchen never stood a chance.
This is what the batter looks like in the beginning. Every year I trick myself that this is wrong because I always remember the fluffy end result. Keep beating, the batter should go on medium high for at least five minutes until you get the look you want.
That’s more like it. I have always thought that once the batter is whipped to perfection that it resembles (and smells like) vanilla ice cream. Yum!
Christmas baking recipes
Here are a few more Christmas baking recipes I think you’ll enjoy:
- Maple Butter Cinnamon Rolls
- Christmas Meringues with Eggnog Buttercream
- Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
What’s the difference between shortbread and butter cookies?
I always thought that shortbread and butter cookies were the same thing, I was wrong.
Butter cookies have more sugar than shortbread and hold their shape better.
Shortbread cookies, traditionally, are not as sweet (although this recipe has a sweet factor to them).
Can you use a cookie press with shortbread?
I’ve been asked if I have used a whipped shortbread cookie press, I haven’t. If you try it, please leave me feedback on how it worked for you.
I’m the first to admit that I’m a lazy baker. I simply spoon the cookie dough onto parchment and press it down with a fork.
How to Decorate Whipped Shortbread
As I said before, I’m a lazy baker. I like to get to the point because I get a little too excited and just want to eat them. I often envy those who have beautifully decorated cookies (I can’t even decorate a pre-made gingerbread house nice – haha).
Shortbread Decoration Ideas
- Bake with colored sprinkles for a flecked appearance.
- Top with sprinkles while fresh out of the oven.
- Top with buttercream or royal icing (and use it to press in mini gingerbread men or cookie decorations).
- Press your thumb at the top and top with your favorite jam for a shortbread thumbprint cookie.
- Press your thumb at the top and top with red or green candied cherries (my grandma used to do this).
Can you freeze shortbread cookies?
Yes! I do it all the time.
I mostly do it so I don’t eat them all (it provides me some portion control) but if you want to know a secret…they’re amazing frozen.
Is that weird?
I absolutely love frozen cookies dipped in coffee.
I simply stack them in a cookie ton and freeze them. Since shortbread is delicate, you will have to be careful. You can lay them on a baking sheet, flash freeze them, and then place them in a freezer bag but I never have freezer room for the sheet pan this time of year.
Butter Shortbread Cookies
The key to this recipe is the butter. The butter makes this a delicious, melt in your mouth cookie recipe that is perfect for the holidays.
Equipment Needed:
- A mixer (I use this KitchenAid Stand Mixer) but a hand mixer works well too.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
I’m curious, what’s your favorite Christmas cookie recipe? Let me know in the comments.
Whipped Shortbread Cookies
These whipped shortbread cookies are a Christmas cookie exchange favorite.
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 222kcal
Ingredients
- 1 lb butter softened
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Sprinkles or whatever decorations you would like
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 350.
- Beat softened butter. If butter is still a little too hard, beat until softened. Add dry ingredients and beat until a fluffy consistency. I beat it using the paddle attachment on the KitchenAid mixer for approximately five minutes. Mixture should resemble (and smell, yum) like vanilla ice cream.
- Drop cookies onto baking sheet and press with fork. Bake for 12-13 minutes.
- If desired decorate with sprinkles, cherries, etc.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 136mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 472IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
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Do you do a bunch of holiday baking? What’s your favorite Christmas cookie recipe?
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MMMMmmm..I LOVE making shortbread cookies! Love when they melt in your mouth 🙂 These look so light and tasty!
They’re so good. I had half of one and it was so hard to keep it that way. I put the majority on the freezer so I didn’t binge haha.
We’re a BIG shortbread house over here, mmmm!
I can totally do this.
p.s I ordered ALL my Christmas baking this year. Bad me, Bad. Bad.
Not bad at all. A time saver!
Yum! These sound delicious and easy to whip up too!! Thanks for sharing.
OMG! Those sound divine!!! Bookmarking this to make in the next few days! Thanks for sharing! Mmmmmmmmmmm!!!
Thanks Christine. They’re so good! I actually added a little more powdered sugar then called for (as if I’m not sweet enough or something :P).
We were just talking about shortbread the other night – whipped is the only way to go!
I LOVE shortbread. Growing up, my mom always made shortbread at Christmas. We had a falling out shortly before I got married, so I never got the recipe from her. I hunted and hunted and could never find one that was just right. I went to a friends house on Christmas eve one year and her shortbreads tasted just like my mom’s. I was so excited. Plus, she was a friend from childhood, so I said “is this my mom’s recipe?!” She looked at me bewildered and said “no… it’s on the back of the cornstarch box!” There goes my theory that it was a family recipe! 😉
Isn’t that the way it goes though? My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe is the one on the back of the milk chocolate Chip Its bag.
I know what you mean. I have the rest in the freezer. Out of sight, out of mind. Off to visit you right now 🙂
OMG, I just drooled. Those look so soft and rich. I wants! I’m gonna make these!
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These look & sound SO DELICIOUS!! I am adding this recipe to my Christmas baking list this year!! *off to pin it*
They look mouth-watering! Now I am craving shortbread cookies! Have a lovely week! Angie xo
I was looking for a shortbread recipe and this looks so delicious! I just pinned it. Thank you for sharing:)
Yum, I have a weakness for shortbread they are my favourites but I haven’t found a recipe that I absolutely love. I will most definitely be tryig this one Randa!
They melt in your mouth Jessica! I love shortbread too 🙂
Oooooh, these look yummy! My hubby just commented the other day how much he likes shortbread so I should make some!!! 🙂
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Can you believe I have never made shortbread cookies? These look amazing. I bet I could fudge the recipe to be gluten free? YUMMY!
I’m sure you can do something 🙂 I want to try some too, maybe with almond flour.
I can totally relate! It looks like a war zone when I cook… but you should see what it looks like when I make wedding cakes! OMG! These cookies look delicious, like the ones that turn into dust when you put them in your mouth! I love dipping these kind of cookies in chocolate!
These would be perfect in chocolate. I was out of my mind when baking these the other day and didn’t want to create anymore mess haha. I had 5 different things going on at once.
This sounds amazing! Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!
Thanks for the comment Jacqui 🙂 See you next week.
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These look so yummy and light. I already made my traditional shortbread for this year but I’m going to keep your recipe for next time I want to make shortbread. Have a Merry Christmas!
Thanks 🙂 Merry Christmas to you as well.
Maybe I missed the information, but how big a piece of dough do you use when you put the pieces onto the baking sheet? (although I have baked several kinds of cookies, I have never tried these) Thanks.
I usually just scoop and drop with a spoon, sorry I’m really not that technical haha.
Ahhh these look so good! Makes me really wish I had a kitchen aid mixer!
You can make these with any mixer. The Kitchenmaid just makes life that much easier!
yummy they worked great
Ah! The flour on your phone is SOOO something I do. LOL! I love that you shared that too.
Real life 😉 I get it EVERYWHERE.
I did exactly what you said. And the batter is so heavy. It’s been 15 mins and it’s not turning into fluff.♀️
Can this recipe be rolled out and cookies cut into shapes?
I made this recipe exactly as the recipe instructs but it’s so short/crumbly that I can’t even get them off the backing paper without them falling apart… the flavour is delicious but can you offer any suggestions as I still have half the mix left unbaked.
I think I’m going to have to just use this batch to make a crumble or something…
Thanks Paula