3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies
User Reviews
4.5
3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies
Description
3-Ingredient Buttery Shortbread Cookies feature a straightforward mix of cold butter, light brown sugar, and all-purpose flour. The brown sugar offers a distinct caramelized flavor compared to the usual granulated or confectioner's sugar. The cold butter is creamed with sugar until pasty, then combined with flour in stages to create a dough similar to soft play dough—a texture that allows for easy rolling and cutting without stickiness.
After the dough is kneaded lightly and optionally mixed with sprinkles, it is divided into balls, shaped into discs, and chilled to firm up before baking. This chilling step helps maintain shape and texture, resulting in tender cookies with a delicate crumb and a slight buttery snap. The cookies can be rolled out to a half-inch thickness, making them suitable for various cutters and decorative options.
The recipe suggests using salted butter but provides a salt addition if using unsalted butter to balance flavors. The dough can be frozen tightly wrapped for up to two months, making it convenient to prepare in advance and bake later. Baked shortbread pairs well with tea or coffee and stands out for its rich buttery note enhanced by the caramel undertones from brown sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter sliced into 1/2" pieces, cold, salted
- 1 cup light brown sugar tightly packed
- 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour divided
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, add cold butter slices and brown sugar. Using paddle attachment on medium-high speed, cream until mixture is combined and has a pasty texture. Scrape down sides and paddle.
- Add only 3 1/2 cups of the flour and mix on medium-low speed just until combined; do not over-mix.
- On a large board, sprinkle 1/2 cup flour to keep dough from sticking to the board. Use rubber spatula to transfer dough to the board. Knead dough by hand, adding only as much of the remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed to make a soft dough, while continuing to knead. The dough should end up soft and pliable, similar to play-dough, not sticky.
- Gently work in desired amount of sprinkles, if using them.Important Note: You may not end up using all the flour, depending on how dough feels; it's important to stop adding flour as soon as your dough feels like soft play dough.
- Divide dough into 3 balls, and flatten them into discs. Wrap tightly with cling wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes or until firm enough to roll and cut shapes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 325F, with rack on lower middle position. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats; set aside.
- Take out one of dough discs and roll it out to about 1/2 inch thickness - lightly flour board if needed. Either cut into 3x1 rectangular strips, triangles, or use 1-2" diameter cookie cutters.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Poke cookies with fork on top for a design, if not using sprinkles. Place entire baking sheet in fridge for 15 minutes.
- Bake chilled cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. For smaller cookies, bake closer to 15 minutes; bake longer for larger shapes. Repeat with the remaining dough, working in batches so dough stays chilled.
- Cool completely on wire rack before serving. Cookies keep very when sealed airtight, at room temp.
Notes
- Use cold, sliced salted butter for easier creaming with the sugar.
- Light brown sugar enhances the caramel flavor compared to granulated sugar.
- Adjust flour as needed to achieve a soft, pliable play dough-like texture without stickiness.
- Dough discs should be well wrapped and chilled at least 30 minutes before shaping and baking.
- Dough or shaped unbaked cookies can be refrigerated to keep cold until baking or frozen airtight for up to two months.
- If using unsalted butter, add 1/4 teaspoon fine salt to the dough to balance sweetness.
- Cut the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch for best cookie shape and texture.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3dozen
Amount Per Serving
Calories 128 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 128kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 13.4g | 4% |
| Protein | 1.3g | 3% |
| Fat | 7.8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 4.9g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 20.3mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 62.3mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 4.5g | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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