How to make perfect Scottish Shortbread, only 4 ingredients this is one of the easiest dessert recipes around. Easy to double or triple so a perfect dessert for a crowd. Brown Butter Shortbread is perfect for a party or cuddled up with tea!
Growing up my mom always made treats for our teachers. One of the more frequent desserts she made was Scottish Shortbread. This is something so symbolic of my childhood and Christmas time. Only because we ALWAYS have it at Christmas but many other times throughout the year as well. We also have Yorkshire Puddings every Christmas.
Shortbread is so simple. Butter, Sugar, Flour & a pinch of salt. I am pretty sure you already have those ingredients in your house, am I right? While my mom’s Scottish Shortbread Recipe doesn’t call for browned butter, I had to try. Can’t leave well enough alone, can I?
If you love British recipes make sure to check out my Shepherd’s Pie Recipe.
You’re welcome. SOOO amazing. Luckily I made a small batch in a 9X13 pan normally we make a jelly roll pan or baking sheet pan. Since I am no longer working at the restaurant I am trying to not bake as much as I used to. Fewer people to go around means I eat more. And my yoga pants are getting tighter!
Shortbread is thick, crumbly, buttery, sandy, not too sweet and snaps. I use my stand mixer but a good ‘ole bowl works perfectly as well. Dump everything in the bowl and mix until the butter is pea-sized. The only difference here is you need cold browned butter so it’s not as easy as grabbing the butter out of the fridge. Luckily for me, a friend gave me a load of this Black & Bolyard Brown Butter , while it’s great to already have it, I also brown a big batch of butter and keep it in the fridge to use in recipes that call for cold browned butter.
So for those of you that want to make your own brown butter for this recipe, I suggest you make it the night before, you could also make it the day of- just needs time to chill. For me, I love prepping things the night before like cinnamon rolls or cheesecake.
How do you make brown butter?
I have a full post explaining the process if you want to read more. Take as much butter as you want and place it in a heavy bottom saucepan cook it over medium heat. DO NOT WALK AWAY! Once the butter burns there ain’t no going back. Use a wooden spoon or whisk and mix the butter constantly. The butter will melt, foam up, and then begin to brown. You will see flecks- those flecks are the money!
As soon as you see the flecks take the butter off OR if you want to push the limits and get more brown flecks then turn the heat down and keep stirring a little bit longer. Pout into a container to cool then cover and chill.
How do you make shortbread?
Start by preheating your oven to 350F/180C and get a 9X13 pan out- no need to grease it- there will be plenty of butter in the dough!
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a regular medium-sized bowl add the flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix on low/medium speed until the butter is mixed in and pea-size pieces.
Transfer dough to pan and press down evenly. Use a rolling pin or glass to roll the shortbread dough to ensure its tightly in the pan. Using a butter knife score the shortbread into whichever size pieces you want. Scoring up and down and across.
Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on edges. Once baked cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top and shake pan side to side to distribute evenly. Cut on the previously scored marks and store in an airtight container. Lasts for up to a week. But it’s never lasted more than 2 days in my house!
This Brown Butter Shortbread is the perfect treat for a cup of tea but is also perfect to bring to a party. I often make my Curried Chicken Salad Recipe, Mini English Sherry Trifles, Real Clotted Cream, English Scones and Egg Salad for tea parties as well. The Brown Butter Shortbread can sit at the table uncovered and not lose any of its spectacular-ness!
This brown butter shortbread is also perfect for homemade gifts, especially at Christmas time! If you want multiple homemade gifts try making my Amaretti Cookies.
Please let me know if you make this Brown Butter Shortbread Recipe by leaving a star rating and review below!
- One Year Ago: Deconstructed Banana Cream Pie Recipe
- Four Years Ago: Salted Caramel Red Velvet Cupcakes
- Five Years Ago: Bagel Bombs
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How to make perfect Scottish Shortbread, only 4 ingredients this is one of the easiest dessert recipes around. Easy to double or triple so a perfect dessert for a crowd. Brown Butter Shortbread is perfect for a party or cuddled up with tea!
Ingredients
- 12oz (2 3/4 Cup + 1 Tablespoon) All-Purpose Flour
- 8oz (1 Cup) Cold Browned Butter(previously browned and chilled)
- 4.5oz (1/2 Cup Minus 1 Tablespoon) Granulated Sugar + more for top
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 3 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar, for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C and get a 9″X13″ pan out- no need to grease it.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or a regular medium sized bowl add the flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix on low/medium speed until the butter is mixed in and pea-size pieces or use your hands to rub the butter into the dry ingredients.
- Transfer dough to pan and press down evenly. Use a rolling pin or glass to roll the shortbread dough to ensure its tightly in the pan. Using a butter knife score the shortbread into whichever size pieces you want. Scoring up, down, and across. Prick all over with a fork.
- Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on edges. Once baked cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top and shake pan side to side to distribute evenly. Cut on the previously scored marks and store in an airtight container. Last for up to a week.
Notes
- Double Recipe for Jelly Roll Pan (12X8X1)- bake for 20ish minutes/until golden brown on edges
- Triple Recipe for USA Baking Sheet(18X13X1)- bake for 25ish minutes/until golden brown on edges
Keywords: english dessert recipes, Scottish shortbread
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Recipe courtesy of my amazing Mom
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Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
ahhh brown butter makes ALL THINGS better
Elizabeth says
Girl you know it