Here is a Simple Scottish Shortbread I like to make with no frills–no nuts, no chocolate, no special ingredients. Just simple shortbread. Serve with a hot cup of tea. Delicious.
This Recipe is Scottishly Delicious!
I have many recipes for shortbread. Some are rolled or sliced thin, while others have nuts or other flavorings. What makes this recipe shine is its simplicity. Just 4 ingredients–butter, flour, sugar, and vanilla. Plus, it’s about 3/4″ thick, which yields this amazing crumbly texture that melts in your mouth.
When learning about Scottish Shortbread, I found that shortbread actually originated in Scotland, and that traditional recipes are based on a ratio of 1 part sugar, 2 parts butter, and 3 parts flour. Three ingredients. Purists would say this recipe doesn’t qualify, and that’s okay. It may not be traditional Scottish shortbread, but it’s so Scottishly delicious.
See more Shortbread Recipes. Browse Cookies or Tea Party Foods.
Ingredients for Traditional Scottish Shortbread
(As a Walmart Affiliate, I earn from qualified purchases at the links below. See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
Instructions For Making This Recipe
Preheat oven to 325°F. Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. To make this recipe, you’ll need an 8″ x 8″ baking pan or shortbread baking dish.
When testing this recipe, I liked to bake it in a Brown Bag ceramic shortbread pan that has a Scottish Thistle design, which worked perfectly for the 3/4″ thickness I desired. But you may use any 8″ pan, or another type of shortbread pan. Nordic Ware has a few, and there are many ceramic designs by Brown Bag.
As an amazon affiliate, i earn from qualified purchases at no price increase for you.
Brown Bag Thistle Shortbread Pan
Buy Now →
Nordic Ware English Shortbread Pan
Buy Now →
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → 
Buy Now → Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the softened butter and granulated sugar just to combine. Add in the vanilla extract. Next, stir in the all-purpose flour just until it forms a stiff consistency. The dough will appear crumbly at this point, which is perfect.
Spray baking pan with a baking spray, such as Baker’s Joy or Ever Bake. Spoon the dough into the pan and press down with your fingers, spreading to the edge of the pan.
Once the dough is patted down in the pan, I like to go over it with a small pastry roller lightly dipped in flour until it is smooth and flat. Then use a roller docker or a fork to poke holes in the top of the dough.
Poking holes in the dough before it bakes, helps to prevent the shortbread from puffing up or cracking on top.
Bake and Serve Shortbread
Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the edges and center are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to set for 10 minutes before carefully turning the pan over.
When turning the shortbread from the pan, I place a small baking sheet on top of the pan, then carefully turn it over to release it onto the baking sheet.
While the shortbread is warm, sprinkle sparkling sugar over the top. Using a sharp knife or bench knife, carefully slice the shortbread along the pattern indentions.
If using a regular baking pan and not a shortbread pan, slice into triangles, squares, or fingers that are about 1 1/2″ wide.
Allow the shortbread to cool completely before serving or storing. Serve with cups of hot tea or coffee. Store shortbread in a tightly covered container for up to 2 weeks. This recipe will serve 8 people.
Give Shortbread as a Gift
Shortbread makes a lovely gift for any tea drinker. Last year, my husband and I watched a television show called Ted Lasso, where the main actor gave his boss a little pink box of shortbread every morning. Homemade shortbread. And she loved it. It was hilarious and made me giggle every time I saw it.
After seeing that show, I purchased some cute pink boxes on Amazon, and now gift shortbread on a whim to those I love. Simply wrap the shortbread in wax paper and place in the box. If desired, tie the box with a pretty ribbon to seal.
Browse Similar Categories
Simple Scottish Shortbread
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups butter room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons sparkling sugar for topping
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Instructions Click to Start Cooking
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. To make this recipe, you’ll need an 8″ baking pan or shortbread baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together 3/4 cups (170.25 g) butter room temperature (softened) and 1/3 cup (66.67 g) granulated sugar just to combine. Add in 1/2 teaspoon (2.46 ml) vanilla extract.
- Next, stir in 1 1/2 cups (187.5 g) all-purpose flour just until it forms a stiff consistency.
- Spray baking pan with a baking spray, such as Baker’s Joy or Ever Bake. Spoon the dough into the pan and press down with your fingers, spreading to the edge of the pan.
- Once the dough is patted down in the pan, I like to go over it with a small pastry roller lightly dipped in flour until it is smooth and flat. Then use a roller docker or a fork to poke holes in the top of the dough.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until the edges and center are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to set for 10 minutes before carefully turning the pan over.
- While the shortbread is warm, sprinkle 3 tablespoons (44.36 ml) sparkling sugar for topping over the top. Using a sharp knife or bench knife, carefully slice the shortbread along the pattern indentions.
- Serves 8.
I hope you’ll enjoy this Simple Scottish Shortbread as much as we do!