Scottish Shortbread (All Butter Shortbread)
This Traditional Scottish Shortbread is one of the simplest things to make, yet, one of the most delicious things to have with a nice cup of tea.
Scottish Shortbread
Adjust Serving Size
PLEASE NOTE: You can now adjust the number of servings on the recipe below. or on the Print Menu option.
portions
Calories per Serving 167
Ingredients
- 375 g Flour plain
- 250 g Butter Unsalted. NOT Margarine
- 125 g Sugar Caster or Granulated
- 1 pinch salt
DISCLAIMER
I recommend using the Metric measurements (instead of cups & spoons) for more accuracy and better results.
Instructions
- Watch the video to see how to make the dough, click the photo below.
- Roll out to about 1/2 inch Do Not add any flour at this stage or you will upset the recipe, it's a very delicate balance of just 3 ingredients.
- Cut into fingers or press into a suitable tin (See Video on how I do it)
- Bake at 160ºC/140ºC Fan/360ºf for about 20 - 25 minutrs or until you just see a little browning starting round the edge.
- Sprinkle with sugar and leave to cool completely.
Have you tried this recipe?Please leave a comment below, or If you have any other questions or problems Leave me a message HERE
Also watch my video showing you exactly how to do it.
You nay also like these Shortbread recipes:
https://mr-pauls-pantry.com/millionaires-shortbread/
https://mr-pauls-pantry.com/lemon-shortbread-slice/
https://mr-pauls-pantry.com/sugar-free-shortbread/
Category: Baking, Cakes, Pastries & Biscuits, Christmas, Recipes, Teatime Treats, Snacks, Party Food, Vegetarian,, Vegan & Free From, Videos
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Hi Cristina, Thank you for your feedback. just what I love to hear. Also a BIG Thank You for the 5 star rating too.
I’ve tried shortbread recipes before but this is the best no doubt. I’ll stick to this from now on. Thank you, Mr. Paul!!!!
[…] From: Mr. Paul’s Pantry […]
Hi Laura, I personally have never tried it as we always made it fresh everyday in the bakery. However, if you do try please let me know the outcome.
Thank you Lura
btw, absolutely love your website
Can shortbread dough be frozen? Thanks & Season’s Greetings to all.
Hi Karen, Thank you for the feedback, it’s very much appreciated and also for the 5 star rating too. Have a wonderful Christmas.
I just made this shortbread and it is fabulous! Thank you for posting a great video tutorial and recipe. A friend of my husband’s family used to make us some every year. However, she took the recipe to her grave and I have not been able to replicate her shortbread — until now!!! Thank you again. It’s a keeper!
Hello Judith, Thank you so much for the wonderful feedback and information, just what I like to hear. Also a BIG thanks for the 5 star rating too.
Hello Mr Paul,
I just finished making your Scottish Shortbread recipe. They are excellent! I’m trying to get ahead with my Christmas baking, but I don’t think this batch will make it into the tin! I have arthritis in my fingers so I used the dough hook on my stand mixer just until the dough started to come together. Finished it by hand. It wasn’t over-worked at all. Rolled out lovely, and are nice and crisp, and lightly golden. Delicious! I’m certainly glad I found your website! A big Thank you! from Saskatchewan.
You’re very welcome Stuart, couldn’t for the life of me tell you how many of these Shortbreads I’ve made over the years, alongside the Custard Tart. this was certainly one of the best sellers in the bakery both in the UK and here in Spain. Many thanks for sharing the photo, always good to see how things turn out when someone else make the recipe.
I just made some of these for the family (the first time I had ever made shortbread). My stepfather loved them – he took one bite and yelled out “They’re FANTASTIC… they ACTUALLY taste like SHORTBREAD!” (He later described them as “Magnificent”, too. I can safely say this is the best-tasting shortbread I have ever tried. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Many thanks for the feedback Cynthia and also for the 5 star rating.
Thank you Mr. Paul for sharing this perfect recipe, and the video too! Wonderful Scottish Shortbread that is the one and only recipe I use. Thank you and take care!
this is a 300 year old recipe which has stood the test of time. I don’t understand why you want to change something that’s been so successful, but if you feel the need, go ahead and give it a try.
Great Recipe! Just a question: Can I put some additions like chocolate or maybe banana peels? Or will it break the dough?
Hi Pam, Thanks for the feedback and for the 5 star rating too.
Fantastic
Thanks for the feedback Nikos, always nice to hear from you. Also a big thank you for the 5 star rating too.
Exceptional! Easy and delicious
Such an amazing recipe! I always come back to it. Thanks for sharing, Mr.Paul!
Hello Maeve,
Thank you for your comment, I’m pleased my recipe brings back wonderful memories. Also a big thank you for the 5 star rating too. I hope 2022 is a very Happy & Healthy year for you and your family.
I searched & searched for just a 3 ingredient recipe. My best friend & entire family were from Glasgow. Her mom made shortbread often. They all passed away relatively young, as I look back at my 68 years. Miss them so very much, but this recipe will bring back wonderful memories and loving thoughts.
Wishing you a Happy New Year that’s wonderful, exciting with new with different occurrences in your future & a safe and loving environment.
Best wishes, Maeve
Hi Mia, Many thanks for your feedback and also a big thank you for the 5 star rating.
Dear Mr. Paul, this is a great recipe! many thanks for your expert guidance and video! And yes, unless one is a chef, to produce a 10 min meal at the “professional chef” level, more than 30 min has to be spent to learn… I wish the best of success to your channel and site 🙂
Hi Nina, Thanks for the feedback and also fo the 5 star rating. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Best shortbread cookies recipe ever.
Hello Lisa,
This link below will give you my thoughts on using measuring cups. As for using superfine sugar, you will lose a lot of the crunch associated with Shortbread.
https://mr-pauls-pantry.com/grams-vs-cups/
I am from the US and would like the recipe in USC measurements since we don’t use the metric system. Also, can I substitute superfine sugar as well?
Hi Janet, Thanks for your comment. It’s nice to hear about young people learning the old baking skills. Thanks for the 5 star rating.
I make this with granulated sugar for extra crunch. A fabulous recipe that I make in the food processor and my grandchildren make by hand. They are learning so much about baking. Thank you for taking the time to teach us.
Thank you Brenda.
5 stars!
Hi Brenda, Thank you for your feedback, I really do appreciate it. However, it would be nice if you could go back to the recipe on my website and give it a star rating. Thank you.
Hi Mr Paul, the shortbread was absolutely delicious & easy to make! All done in less than 10 mins prep, easy to clean-up, bakes in 20 mins. I reduced the sugar to 60g since we prefer a stronger butter flavour. The video was helpful. It’s disappearing fast, we need to make more soon.
Hi Jo-ann,
Yes, you get more crunch with the caster or granulated sugar.
Mr. Paul, thank you for sharing this recipe, love it! Yummy! 😋. I used icing sugar but some recipe insist on using caster sugar, and not icing/powdered sugar. Is there really any difference?
[…] Scone is probably the easiest thing to bake in the whole world, possibly with the exception of the Scottish Shortbread. These teatime scones have been the main item on Afternoon Tea Menus in the many traditional […]
Hi Linda, Thanks for your feedback I really do appreciate it.
I’d tried many different shortbread recipes and they just were not very tasty. Watched your video on YouTube and just knew it would be good. These are the BEST shortbread I’ve ever made, and everyone who tries them agrees. Really enjoy your YouTube channel and appreciate the excellent job you do in explaining the how’s and why’s.
Thank you for your very positive feedback Danielle I really do appreciate it.
My husband always said he likes my shortbread but, “It’s not as good as me Gran made..”
I’m afraid I took it as a bit of a challenge and keep trying new recipes. Your three ingredient version is the winner! I now have the Good As Gran’s distinction in my kitchen.
Thank you 😊
Hi Barbara, I always use unsalted, that way I have control of the salt going into the recipe, but use whatever you have and if it’s to salty for you then in future reduce the salt mentioned in the recipe.
Hi, Mr. Paul,
Does it matter if you use salted or unsalted butter?
Thank you!
[…] Scottish Shortbread […]
Hi Mary, That’s great, I so glad you tried it. Also thanks for taking the time to comment, I really do appreciate that. Mr Paul
Hi Mr. Paul,
This recipe is wonderful. I’ve made it several times now. I didn’t realize it was so easy! My son thought it was just as good (if not better) than than store bought. Thanks for sharing!
Mary
Hi Harriet,
If you click on the video link under the recipe I show you step by step from start to finish making the Shortbread. Hope this helps.
Hi, this recipe looks great but it appears the instructions for making the dough are missing. Would you be able to add these please? Thank you 🙂