Shortbread Cookies

Buttery Shortbread Cookies just in time for Christmas parties and cookie exchanges! Tastes just like Walker's Shortbread cookies, these holiday cookies are made with just a few ingredients. Shortbread can be rolled out and sandwiched with red jam to make them more festive as seen in the photo.

The Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossoms, Pecan Butter Balls, Thumbprint Cookies, Snickerdoodles, Cherry Hershey Kisses, and Soft Sugar Cookies recipes have already been featured, and there are more to come. Check back often to see what's in Santa's Cookie Jar!

Shortbread Cookie Recipe

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar (powdered or icing sugar)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla

How To Make Shortbread Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Lightly butter a 9" X 13" baking pan and set aside.
3. Blend flour, salt and baking powder in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
4. In a large mixing bowl and preferably with an electric mixer, beat the butter for 2 minutes. Add sugar and beat. Add vanilla and beat again until light and fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl.
5. Turn mixer to low, and fold in flour, salt and baking powder. Mix just until blended. Press into prepared baking pan.
6. With a bench scraper or sharp knife, score dough into 1" X 3" "fingers". Don't go all the way through, just the top 3rd of the dough. Use a fork and prick the top all over.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until shortbread is a lovely shade of light brown and fragrant. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool about 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Place on cutting board and cut through the score marks. Let cool completely before storing in air tight container.
8. Variation: Chill dough for a few hours, roll out 1/4 inch thick, and cut into festive shapes with cookie cutters. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8-12 minutes, or until shortbread cookies are light brown and slightly firm. Decorate or sandwich between two cookies with jam.