Description

A simple yet elegant shortbread cookie recipe featuring cold butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla bean paste. These cookies are crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and require only a few high-quality ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
½ cup (100g) granulated white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Flaky sea salt (optional, for topping)
Lemon zest (optional, for variation)
Chocolate drizzle (optional, for variation)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream the cold butter cubes and granulated sugar together using an electric hand mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale.
Add the vanilla bean paste and sea salt to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed just until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined and the dough forms coarse crumbs that clump together. Do not overmix.
Turn the dough out onto plastic wrap and shape it into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Wrap tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Slice the chilled dough into ½-inch thick rounds. Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but centers still look slightly soft.
Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Sprinkle with flaky sea salt while warm if desired. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Keep butter cold to prevent spreading. Do not overmix the flour to avoid tough cookies. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes. Bake at 325°F for even cooking without excessive browning. Cookies continue to cook on the hot sheet after removal from oven.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: British

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 110
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 50
Fat: 7
Saturated Fat: 4
Carbohydrates: 10
Protein: 1

Keywords: shortbread, cookies, buttery, vanilla bean, homemade, easy baking, holiday cookies, make-ahead