18 Shortbread Recipes That Prove Simplicity Is the Secret to the Perfect Cookie
Sometimes, the simplest ingredients create the most unforgettable treats—just like shortbread! With just butter, sugar, and flour, these 18 shortbread recipes prove that you don’t need fancy add-ins to achieve cookie perfection. Whether you prefer classic buttery shortbread, chocolate-dipped delights, or a nutty twist, there’s a recipe here to satisfy every craving. One bite of these crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, and you’ll understand why shortbread has stood the test of time!
Lavender Shortbread
Delicious, fragrant Lavender Shortbread is the best decadent treat to elevate any day! These homemade lavender cookies also make a pretty dessert when served with whipped cream and fresh strawberries tossed in lavender syrup.
Shortbread Cookie Bites
Homemade buttery bite sized shortbread cookies decorated with your favorite sprinkles are a sweet treat that will melt in your mouth!
Grinch Shortbread Bites
Grinch shortbread bites are melt in your mouth little cookies that will help your inner Grinch grow a heart three sizes bigger at least. Which makes it the perfect holiday spirit cookie. They are simple to make, so you won’t shrink your heart two sizes too small trying to make them either.
Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze
I always, always have one last-minute recipe to share riiiight before Christmas. But, with a recipe like these Orange Shortbread Cookies with Cranberry Glaze, I had to make sure to share as soon as possible!
Grapefruit Bars
We all know those beloved lemon bars with a shortbread crust and citrusy filling. It’s a sweet but tart dessert that’s getting a makeover using grapefruit instead of lemon in this Grapefruit Bar recipe.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies
Lemon Shortbread Cookies are all things lemony – tangy, zesty, and sweet. Their melt-in-your-mouth, soft, buttery goodness is just bursting with lemon flavor and topped with a drizzle of lemon icing to put them over the top. You won’t want to miss these if you’re a lemon lover! Great for the holidays or any time of year.
Toffee Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
You’ll only need 6 ingredients to make these easy Toffee Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies. They’re deliciously buttery and filled with mini chocolate chips & toffee bits to put them over the top.
Dulce de Leche Bars
These crumbly and chewy bars are the perfect weekend dessert or potluck dish. Layers of slightly sweet shortbread and thick and chewy caramel make these dulce de leche bars a winner every time.
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Almond Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling
These Almond Shortbread Cookies with Chocolate Filling are delicious buttery, melt-in-your-mouth almond-flavored cookies with a luscious dark chocolate filling. Just 5 ingredients make the best tasting shortbread cookies you’ve ever tasted. Make these mini sandwich cookies for holiday parties, Christmas cookie tins, or just because.
Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies
Indulge in a perfect blend of tart and sweet with these Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies. Each buttery bite is infused with zesty orange zest and studded with plump cranberries, creating a delightful combination of flavors in every delectable cookie.
Almond Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
You won’t be able to stop at just one of these Almond Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies! These cookies are buttery, sweet, light and flaky resembling little pastries. They are just perfect in every way!
Lime Meltaway Shortbread Cookies
Bring a little citrus to your season with these Lime Meltaways! These bite-size slice-and-bake shortbread cookies are made with lime zest and coated in powdered sugar for a sweet, citrus flavor that melts in your mouth.
Easy Lemon Bars
These Easy Lemon Bars have a buttery shortbread crust with a deliciously sweet and tart layer of gooey lemon curd made with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest baked on top! Dust them with a generous sprinkle of powdered sugar for a beautiful finish and you’ve got a dessert bar that is party ready in no time!
Tender & Buttery Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
Learn how to make gluten-free shortbread cookies with an extra easy, foolproof recipe! The secret to tender, classic GF shortbread, without a gritty, dry texture, is briefly chilling the dough and baking at a lower oven temperature. Choose between the slice and bake or cut-out method to make 4-ingredient, melt in your mouth biscuits.
Toffee Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Toffee Pecan Shortbread Cookies are buttery and rich, studded with caramelized toffee bits and crunchy pecan pieces in each bite. Enjoy them as is or dip them in melted dark chocolate for an extra special Christmas cookie around the holidays!
Cranberry jam filled shortbread cookies
These cranberry jam filled shortbread cookies take a traditional recipe up a step – melt in your mouth cookies with a delicious sweet filling. So good.
Chocolate Drizzled Matcha Shortbread Cookies
These matcha shortbread cookies drizzled in chocolate are gluten-free, buttery, crispy and perfect for dunking in that cozy holiday cup of coffee or tea.
Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars
These Fresh Cranberry Shortbread Bars make a great Thanksgiving dessert or a beautiful addition to a Christmas cookie platter! Simple, buttery, and full of sweet-tart cranberry flavor, these wonderful bars have white chocolate and macadamia nuts to make them even more special!
