These easy homemade shortbread cookies are crunchy, crumbly, and sweet. I love making this cookie recipe around the holidays or on chilly winter days when I want my home to feel extra cozy. They're perfect for gift giving or for enjoying with your favorite warm beverage!

Looking for more cozy cookie recipes? Try these gingerbread cookies, or these soft snickerdoodle cookies!

Homemade Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies have my heart. They're super simple and have only a few ingredients, and you can make them for special occasions, holidays, or just a normal day when you need something sweet to munch on! They're no frills, which I love because it means they're tough to mess up. Just be sure to pierce them with a fork so they they don't bubble up and get distorted in shape.

This recipe makes a subtly sweet, buttery, and crunchy cookie that the whole family will love to snack on. They're super fun to bake alongside a variety of other cookies for a holiday cookie tray or end-of-year plate of goodies for teachers! Feel free to have fun with the shapes, but do pay attention to the baking time. If you have a bunch of varying shapes, just make sure to bake the same-sized ones on the same cookie sheet so they turn out. Happy baking!

What is the difference between a sugar cookie and a shortbread cookie?

Sugar cookies are usually much sweeter than shortbread cookies, and they have far more ingredients. Sugar cookies are also commonly decorated with frosting and sprinkles, while I prefer to keep shortbread cookies plain.

What do shortbread cookies taste like?

Shortbread cookies are just lightly sweet and buttery, like a melt-in-your-mouth treat of your dreams. They go so good dipped in milk, hot cocoa, or tea! Or, of course, just by themselves!

How to Make Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Make the Shortbread Dough

Beat the butter and the powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Add the flour and salt, and mix together on low until combined.

Step 2: Press the Dough Together and Roll It Out

Press the dough into a ball and knead on a lightly floured surface until the dough is very smooth.
Roll the dough out, between 2 pieces of parchment paper, until ½-inch thick.

Step 3: Cut Out Your Cookie Shapes and Bake!

Cut into shapes, and place the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Gather the dough scraps, re-roll, and cut again.
Score the cookies with a fork to prevent any bubbles.
Refrigerate the dough on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.
While the dough is chilling, preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Sprinkle the cookies with the granulated sugar, and bake until lightly browned on the edges, about 8 to 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, and then move them onto a wire rack.
Let them cool completely before eating.

Common Questions About Making Shortbread Cookies

Why are my shortbread cookies hard?

Sometimes using granulated sugar in shortbread cookie recipes makes for a hard cookie if it doesn't dissolve all the way while baking. That's why I use powdered sugar, to ensure it dissolves as they bake and creates a softly crunchy consistency.

How long do homemade shortbread cookies last?

Shortbread cookies will last for up to a week in an airtight container stored at room temperature, and frozen they'll last for about 3 months.

How do I keep shortbread cookies from spreading?

This is so important! After you've cut out the cookie shapes and placed them on a baking sheet, do not skip chilling them in the fridge for 20 minutes. This keeps the dough nice and firm as it bakes, allowing them to hold their shape.