One of Susan's passions is cooking and creating new recipes for family and friends.

It Isn't Christmas Until I Make Shortbread Cookies!

To me, it is just not Christmas until I have made shortbread. My grandmother made shortbread every Christmas, and my first recipe is from her. I should add that she was from Paisley, Scotland, so this recipe is genuine shortbread.

Cook and Prep Time (With Stand Mixer)

Grandma's Shortbread Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound of butter (at room temperature)
• 1 cup (packed) icing sugar
• 4 cups of flour

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 275˚F.
2. Beat and cream butter until fluffy.
3. Add icing sugar and flour. Mix with your fingers (make sure your hands are clean) until all is well blended.
4. Make into several balls and pat out on a floured countertop or wax paper.
5. With a rolling pin, roll out to about ½ “ thick.
6. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. You can also make the dough into a pie shape and place it into a pie pan. Score a design into the shortbread pie.
7. Bake in oven until set and very light brown. Every oven is different so time fluctuates. I just keep checking after about ten minutes.
8. Remove shortbread cookies with a spatula, and set onto a cooling rack.

Using a Stand Mixer for Shortbread

This year, I decided to try this recipe using my stand mixer. It was so much easier than kneading with my hands, and with the time I saved, I was able to make some peanut butter banana cookies for the dogs.

Beat butter until creamy. In this picture I started out with the whipping attachment and then switched to the paddle, which worked much better.

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Shortbread Bars Recipe

The next recipe comes from an old friend, and these are very good!

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 pound of butter
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup rice flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350˚F.
2. Blend 1 cup of sugar in blender for 30 seconds.
3. Add the sugar to softened butter and cream until fluffy.
4. Combine flour and rice flour, and beat into butter gradually.
5. Turn onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
6. Add up to ½ more flour if needed.
7. Press into a 15 x 9” cookie sheet.
8. Score into bars with a sharp knife. Prick surface with a fork up and down the dough.
9. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar.
10. Bake to a golden brown, which takes 30–40 minutes.
11. Cut along scored lines, cool and store in an airtight container. Makes 48 bars.

Whipped Shortbread Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound of butter
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups icing sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ½ cup corn starch

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325˚F.
2. Beat butter until white.
3. Beat in all the following as you add it. Add sugar and cornstarch gradually. Add vanilla, and then add flour gradually.
4. Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12–18 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and cool the cookies on a cooling rack.
6. Makes 100 cookies.

© 2010 Susan Zutautas

Comments

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on August 23, 2019:

Thanks, Robbie so nice to see you here.

Robbie Cheadle on August 22, 2019:

These are all nice recipes, Susan. The one I use is most similar to the last one you have here.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 27, 2017:

Yes they all are authentic recipes. Hope that you enjoy the shortbread as much as we do.

Aya Katz from The Ozarks on November 27, 2017:

I love shortbread. All these recipes look good! And if your grandmother from Paisley taught them to you, then they must be authentic. I will try one of these recipes for Christmas.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 15, 2014:

Cris Sp, Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too!

CrisSp from Sky Is The Limit Adventure on December 14, 2014:

I'll have to try this and will start from your Grandma's original recipe. I'm pretty sure my daughter will like it.

Well, we love shortbread cookies. Glad to have landed here.

Shared and pinned.

Merry Christmas!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 06, 2014:

Hi Val, So nice to see you here. Yes confectioners sugar is the same as icing sugar.

Valerie Newman on December 06, 2014:

You certainly have a variety of recipes for shortbread. I am not familiar with icing sugar. Is that confectioner's sugar? My recipe is 1 cup butter, 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar (white or brown). It's all good.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 02, 2014:

Thanks Patsy and I hope you enjoy the recipes.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 02, 2014:

Audrey, Thanks!

Deb, Thanks and I hope you like the recipes. Made my first batch of the season yesterday.

Patsy Bell Hobson from zone 6a, SEMO on December 01, 2014:

Wow, this is the authentic recipe. I look forward to trying this.

Debra Allen from West By God on December 01, 2014:

O wow these sounds so easy to make and great tasting. They also look so yummy. I am going to have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing! I am bookmarking this one and sharing too.

Audrey Howitt from California on December 01, 2014:

Oh yummy!!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on October 23, 2014:

Thanks so much Peg, I really appreciate that. Hope that you enjoy the recipes.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on October 23, 2014:

Thanks bravewarrior, they are great aren't they.

Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on October 22, 2014:

These are so pretty and festive. I can't wait to try them. Posted to Facebook for my sister, the baker, to try. And pinned for me to remember the recipe. Thanks for sharing your Grandma's finest shortbread recipes.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on October 21, 2014:

I love shortbread cookies because they're not too sweet. The baking season is fast approaching. Thanx for sharing these recipes, Susan!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on January 16, 2013:

Vacation Trip, Nice to meet you and I hope you enjoy the shortbread as much as we do.

Susan from India on January 16, 2013:

Interesting and easy.. Will try it soon.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 02, 2012:

unknown, Thanks :)

Life Under Construction from Neverland on December 02, 2012:

sound so delicious!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 19, 2012:

TT, Hope you enjoy the shortbread. This reminds me I need to start baking and hiding them myself :)

Terrye Toombs from Somewhere between Heaven and Hell without a road map. on November 18, 2012:

these are SO easy I am going to have to make these for Christmas...and I *might* share...ok, not really...I don't play well with others. ;)

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on July 24, 2012:

RH, We're going to make a baker out of you yet :) When I first started making my grandmothers shortbread recipe it took me several attempts to make them taste as good as hers.

Carol, I usually start making shortbread sometime in November to get ready for the Christmas season. Thanks for stopping by :)

carol stanley from Arizona on July 23, 2012:

Shortbread with the buttery taste..My tastebuds are dancing the jig. I rarely bake but this has brought some inspiration. Add a cup of coffee as realhousewife suggested and you have a sweet feast. Thanks for sharing.

Kelly Umphenour from St. Louis, MO on July 23, 2012:

I LOVE shortbread...I did try to make it before and it was as hard as a rock! Lol. I'll have to try this I'd love to make them well...perfect as they go great with coffee!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 01, 2011:

Frank, Hope you do, they are delicious.

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on November 30, 2011:

Just Ask Susan I can't wait to trick my grandmother into making these so I can try them :) Frank

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on June 08, 2011:

Thanks everyone and sorry for the delayed response.

nathandanials from Golden Valley, MN on February 16, 2011:

I'm so hungry right now. I was just a little before. Wish I had time to make these right now.

Kathy from California on February 14, 2011:

I can't wait to try these, which one do I try first though, that is the question? Great Hubs, very well done.

Sunnyglitter from Cyberspace on December 29, 2010:

This sounds delicious!

Sima Ballinger from Michigan on December 25, 2010:

Great job on this Hub. Looks good and sounds yummy. Nice work. VOTE UP!!

Rodney Fagan from Johannesberg South Africa, The Gold Mine City on December 09, 2010:

Nice recipe, similar to the one I use to get the children involved in, see my hub.

Susan Kaul from Michiagn, USA on December 09, 2010:

thank you so much. I thought it might be but wanted to be sure. The recipe sounds so good I didn't want to mess it up. thank you also for the quick response.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 09, 2010:

Yes nightbear it is powdered sugar just like the kind you use to make icing with.

Susan Kaul from Michiagn, USA on December 09, 2010:

I have never even thought about trying to make my own shortbread. As many of your readers already said, this seems simple enough to try myself. I am not sure what icing sugar is. Would another name for that be powdered sugar?

Eaglekiwi from -Oceania on December 09, 2010:

Hi Susan

Loved your hub ,so well set out and very easy to follow!

Cant wait to try them out as well ,especially your Grandmothers ,mine was from Scotland too,and I have a sneaking suspicion that we loved her shortbead for the same reasons as Ill love yours.

Merry Christmas xo

Lamme on December 09, 2010:

Oh yummy, I can't wait to try this! I'll start with your grandma's recipe and probably try them all, I love shortbread. Thanks for sharing.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 09, 2010:

Thank you everyone so much! Johnny sorry to say that no I do not have a recipe for Black Bun and if I find a really good one I will let you know.

Johnny Parker from Birkenhead, Wirral, North West England on December 09, 2010:

Excellent!

Do you have a recipe for Black Bun?

Tammy L from Jacksonville, Texas on December 08, 2010:

Voted UP and useful! I'm sure I could replace the icing sugar with some sort of sugar substitute for my diabetic relatives. Congratulations on your Hubnuggets win!

Elayne from Rocky Mountains on December 07, 2010:

One of my favorite things - shortbread - thanks for the recipes. No wonder I love it - all the butter and sugar. Oh well, it is the holidays, right? Thanks for sharing and congrats on the nomination.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on December 06, 2010:

The recipes sound very good and the pictures make them look good. Congrats on your nomination.

Jo Deslaurier on December 06, 2010:

Very yummy! Will definitely recommend to others.

Ireno Alcala from Bicol, Philippines on December 05, 2010:

I usually make shortbread on board ship as snacks. Sailors often whined; they like toasted bread to be dunked on hot coffee (hehe!). Congratulations on your HubNugget nomination. ;)

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 05, 2010:

Thanks so much Deborah. I am sure you will love them as much as I do!

Deborah Demander Reno from First Wyoming, then THE WORLD on December 04, 2010:

Congratulations on your hubnuggets nomination. I can't wait to try these cookies.

Namaste.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 04, 2010:

Thanks so much Denise. Merry Christmas.

Denise Handlon from North Carolina on December 03, 2010:

Nice recipes. I have a friend who LOVES shortbread. Congratulations on your nomination.

Michelle Simtoco from Cebu, Philippines on December 03, 2010:

Hear Ye, Hear Ye...this hub is a Hubnuggets Nominee! Woohoo Be sure to check your email Just Ask Susan and the official announcement is there for you. Or you can follow me in a merry trail. This way to the Hubnuggets forum https://hubpages.com/forum/topic/61041#post1353813 and tell the world why you are excited about your nomination. Then follow the link to Zsuzsy Bee's hub to vote!

Gail Sobotkin from South Carolina on December 03, 2010:

Looks like a great recipe. Thanks for sharing.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 18, 2010:

Thank you Rosie Merry Christmas to you too!

Rosie Rose from Toronto, Canada on November 18, 2010:

WOW! Three great shortbread recipes.. I love shortbread. The recipes and the pictures look yummy.

Merry Christmas!

Rosie

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 17, 2010:

Thanks so much Patty!

Patty Inglish MS from USA and Asgardia, the First Space Nation on November 17, 2010:

Up and awesome! Photos look very nice with the recipes, too.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 17, 2010:

All three recipes are easy to make cashmere and I look forward too seeing what you think.

cashmere from India on November 16, 2010:

Sounds simple enough for me to risk. Will post again once I try it out :)

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 16, 2010:

mmmm sounds good Princessa!

Wendy Iturrizaga from France on November 16, 2010:

I love short bread, especially dunked in a good malt Whisky!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 16, 2010:

Thanks so much Christy

Christy Zutautas on November 16, 2010:

Susan gives this shortbread out at Christmas time and it is the absolute best I've ever tasted! This hubber knows how to bake!

Sue - Now you have to make a hub about your Nuts N Fluff recipe(with the Shreddies), that's my second favorite!