If you’re looking for a truly delightful treat that feels both homemade and indulgent, you’ve got to try this Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe. With just butter, powdered sugar, and flour, these cookies come together effortlessly to deliver a buttery, crisp, melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you want a quick baking project or a sweet gift to share, this recipe is straightforward and rewarding, filling your kitchen with that irresistible aroma of freshly baked shortbread.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These three essential ingredients may be simple, but each one plays a crucial role in creating the perfect shortbread cookie. The butter brings that rich, creamy flavor and tender texture. Powdered sugar adds the ideal sweetness without any grittiness, and the all-purpose flour binds everything into a delicate, crumbly cookie that’s just right for snacking.
- Butter, 1 cup (8 oz/225 g), softened: Using softened butter ensures easy mixing and a rich, tender crumb in your cookies.
- Powdered sugar, ½ cup (2 oz/58 g), sifted: Sifting keeps the sugar light and smooth, helping achieve that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- All-purpose flour, 2 cups (10 oz/280 g): The foundation of your cookies, providing structure and creating that perfect crisp bite.
How to Make Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C) and lining a baking tray with parchment paper. This step is key as it ensures your cookies bake evenly without sticking, delivering a flawless bottom crust every time.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar on high speed for about 3 minutes. You want this mixture to become light and fluffy—it’s what gives your shortbread that delicate, airy feel once baked.
Step 3: Add the Flour
Next, add all the flour to the creamed mixture. Mix just until the dough comes together. Don’t overmix here because you want to keep the dough tender and avoid developing gluten that could make the cookies tough.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Roll the dough into a long, two-by-two-inch log using cling wrap. Chilling it in the fridge for at least 60 minutes allows the butter to firm up, which is essential for slicing perfect rounds and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 5: Slice and Bake
When your dough is firm, slice it into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them neatly on your parchment-lined baking tray. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the cookies are just starting to turn golden around the edges. Keep a close eye here—they should be crisp but not browned too much.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This step finishes off their crispness and makes them easier to handle. Store in an airtight container, and you’re set for a few days of freshly baked goodness.
How to Serve Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these shortbread cookies shine on their own, you can dress them up with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate to add a touch of elegance. A sprinkle of finely chopped nuts or a hint of lemon zest on top before baking can also add unique flavors without complicating the simplicity.
Side Dishes
Pair these shortbread cookies with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk for a classic treat perfect for any time of day. They are also wonderful alongside fresh fruit like berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert that feels special but effortless.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re gifting these cookies, stack them in mason jars tied with colorful ribbons or place them in decorative tins lined with parchment paper. Arranging them on a festive platter for parties invites guests to grab a bite and adds a homemade touch to your dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them fresh and crisp for up to three days, perfect for savoring a few at a time without rushing through the batch.
Freezing
You can freeze the raw dough log wrapped tightly in cling wrap for up to three days before baking. For baked cookies, store them in a freezer-safe container, layering parchment paper between batches to avoid sticking, and freeze for up to a month. Just thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Reheating
To revive the fresh-baked feel of your stored cookies, pop them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5 minutes. This gently warms the cookies and refreshes their crisp texture without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I substitute powdered sugar with granulated sugar?
Powdered sugar is best for this recipe because it dissolves smoothly, giving the shortbread its characteristic tender texture. Using granulated sugar might result in a slightly grainier cookie and a firmer bite.
What type of butter should I use?
Use unsalted butter that’s softened at room temperature. This allows you to control the saltiness of your cookies and ensures even creaming with the sugar.
Can I add flavors like vanilla or almond extract?
Absolutely! While the classic shortbread is perfect on its own, adding a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract can add a lovely depth of flavor without compromising the simplicity of the Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough helps firm up the butter, making it easier to slice thin, even cookies. It also prevents spreading during baking, helping your cookies keep their shape and texture.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
When stored correctly in an airtight container, these shortbread cookies stay fresh and crisp for about three days at room temperature. Beyond that, the texture may start to soften.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about how just three simple ingredients can come together to create such an effortlessly delightful cookie. I encourage you to give this Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe a try—you’ll find it’s not only quick but also incredibly rewarding to pull a batch of buttery, crisp shortbreads from your oven. Sharing them with loved ones or enjoying them with your favorite beverage will quickly make this recipe a beloved classic in your kitchen.
Print
Easy 3-Ingredient Shortbread Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
This easy shortbread recipe yields buttery, crisp cookies made with just three simple ingredients. These classic homemade treats are quick to prepare, chilled to perfection, and baked to a golden finish, making them perfect for snacking or gifting.
Ingredients
Shortbread Ingredients
- 1 cup (8 oz/225 g) butter, softened
- ½ cup (2 oz/58 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 cups (10 oz/280 g) all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high speed to cream the softened butter and sifted powdered sugar for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, allowing the sugar to dissolve and incorporate air.
- Add Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until the dough just comes together without overmixing to keep the texture tender.
- Shape Dough and Chill: Roll the cookie dough into a long log about two inches by two inches in diameter using cling wrap. Refrigerate the log for at least 60 minutes, or up to 3 days, to firm it up for easier slicing.
- Slice and Bake: Once the dough is firm, slice it into ¼-inch thick rounds. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking tray, spacing them evenly, then bake for 18 to 20 minutes until they turn just golden around the edges.
- Cool and Store: Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, store the shortbread in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Be sure to soften the butter to room temperature to ensure smooth creaming with the sugar.
- Sifting the powdered sugar helps prevent lumps and makes for a finer texture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the shortbread tender and crumbly.
- Chilling the dough log is essential for clean, neat slices and to prevent the cookies from spreading during baking.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days; for longer storage, freeze the dough or baked cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
