How to Make the Perfect 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies
Scottish · Easy · 28 min · 16 servings
These classic 3 ingredient shortbread cookies are made with just butter, powdered sugar, and flour for a melt in your mouth buttery treat. Simple to make and perfectly crumbly, these cookies are a timeless dessert that comes together with minimal effort.
Why this recipe works
This 3 Ingredient Shortbread Cookies recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 28 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 118 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 4 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 0.5 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 0.25 tsp salt
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together with a hand mixer or wooden spoon until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Form the Dough and Cut
Add the flour and salt to the butter mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface, roll to about half an inch thickness, and cut into rectangles or rounds using a knife or cookie cutter.
Step 3: Bake Until Golden
Place the cut cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 16 to 18 minutes until the edges are just barely golden. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the pan as they will firm up significantly once cooled.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- powdered sugar → granulated sugar blended until fine for the same sweetness and texture
- all purpose flour → rice flour for a gluten free version with an extra crispy texture
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using melted or warm butter instead of properly softened butter which prevents the dough from holding its shape during cutting and baking
- Overbaking the shortbread since it should only be lightly golden at the edges and will still look pale and underdone when ready to come out
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 118 calories, 1g protein, 13g carbs, 7g fat, 0g fiber.
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