Shortbread Bars

Shortbread is a wonderful thing. Simple, buttery and melt in your mouth delicious, shortbread cookies are a ‘must bake’ every Christmas. They go so fast, that I typically make 3 batches during the holidays. I have tried many different recipes for shortbread that even use various baking techniques. A few times, I have rolled the cookies and used cutout shapes. I have also used a cookie press to make some of the most tender, melt in your mouth, cookies I have ever had – I even have that recipe posted last year – Cookie Press Shortbread.

This recipe is by far the easiest as all it requires is combining the ingredients, patting it down in a pan, sprinkling coloured sugar and baking. These can be in the oven within 10 minutes. Seriously, it’s that fast! Not only are they easy, but they taste absolutely incredible. They are so buttery and have the perfect texture – so soft and tender. I may need to go have another one right now!

Using a 13×9 pan, this recipe makes a LOT of squares. I cut them into 1 inch squares and they are the perfect size. The coloured sugar gives these cookies the perfect festive look and they are immediately ready for the holidays. This shortbread is Barbara Bush’s recipe from the “White House Cookbook” updated by publisher John Wiley & Sons in 1996. She uses an 8×8 pan and I modified it for a 13×9 pan.

Shortbread Bars

4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 90

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (2 cups) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • approx. 1/4 cup red coloured sugar

Instructions

  • Line a 13x9 pan with parchment paper (or foil)
  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
  • Slowly beat the dry ingredients in the butter mixture until it is fully combined and there are no lumps or dry flour in the dough.
  • Spread the dough in the lined pan, patting it so that it is evenly spread across the pan.
  • Prick the dough many times with a fork. Sprinkle the coloured sugar evenly across the cookie dough.
  • Bake for 33-37 minutes. The edges should be starting to brown.
  • Cool on a wire rack.
  • Cut into small 1 inch squares. Store in an airtight container for 2 weeks or in the freezer for 2 months.

 

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7 comments

  • This is my first time of making shortbread i just dont want to mess it up. I dont bake i make no bake stuff hope it turns out

    • Reply
  • Hi there i am wondering can i make this with salted but i bought some cause it was 2.99 which is a good deal could i just not add the salt?

    • Reply
    • Yes! I have made this with salted butter before. Like you mentioned, just don’t add the salt. Should be just fine!

      • Reply
      • Thankyou

        • Reply
  • 4 stars
    Hi Steve

    I consider myself somewhat of an authority on shortbread. I have a traditional Scottish recipe, and the key ingredient is rice flour, along with the all purpose. Gives it that unique texture with a slight crunch. Although just saying if you brought these to the game on Sunday they won’t go a miss!!

    • Reply
  • Made these in Germany this weekend – turned out great!

    Due to constraints of time and effort put vanilla sugar on top instead of the colored sugar.

    Thanks for posting this!

    • Reply

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