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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies Step-by-Step

    Dec 31, 2019(updated Aug 23, 2024)

    By Michelle Weiner

    These Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies are the easy and convenient way to make these classic holiday cookies! All you need are 4 ingredients and 20 minutes to prep.
    5 from 3 votes
    Prep Time 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Jump to Recipe
    a horizontal overhead of multiple shortbread cookies stacked on top of each other.

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    These Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies are the easy and convenient way to make these classic holiday cookies! All you need are 4 ingredients and 20 minutes to prep.

    Everything you ever want in a shortbread cookie

    Say hello to buttery, soft, and sweet cookie goodness! Learn how to make Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies Step-by-Step in your own kitchen. It’s a quick and easy recipe you can make for the holidays or year-round.

    What are slice and bake cookies? Well, they just happen to be the most convenient way to make cookies! You’ll begin with classic shortbread cookie dough before rolling it into a log and popping it in the fridge. After a couple of hours, simply slice off a few rounds and bake! 

    The best part is this 4-ingredient cookie dough is so easy to put together and lasts for months in the freezer. You’ll always be able to have a few batches ready for when a craving hits or when you need a last-minute dessert for the bake sale.

    Once you master this slice and bake method, you can move on to even more shortbread flavors. These Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies are a must for fall and Cranberry White Chocolate Shortbread are perfect for gifting!

    Overhead view of multiple shortbread cookies stacked on top of each other.

    All you need are four ingredients

    This is a 4-ingredient shortbread cookie recipe if you can believe it. That sweet buttery goodness is easy to achieve with these pantry staples:

    Salted butter

    Butter, like any shortbread cookie recipe, is the most important ingredient. It’s the main flavor component and contributes to an ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you can, use European butter or another high-quality butter.

    It’s also important to use salted butter rather than unsalted. You would have to add salt separately if you use unsalted butter and because there’s such a lack of liquid in the cookie dough, the salt wouldn’t dissolve properly. No one wants to bite into an overly salted cookie!

    Last but not least, make sure the butter is softened, not melted. Soft butter is easy to work with and blends into the batter with ease.

    Ingredients to make shortbread cookies in individual glass jars.

    Powdered sugar

    This powdery and fluffy sugar is the secret to soft, yet sweet cookies. Granulated sugar will not work as a replacement. Just like salt, there isn’t enough liquid in the dough to help it dissolve properly.

    Vanilla extract

    Listen: if you want the best shortbread cookies, then you have to put the imitation vanilla extract aside. A quality extract will lend the best balance of flavors and an elegant finish. Instead of the fake stuff, use real vanilla extract or use vanilla bean paste.

    All purpose flour

    Nothing fancy here! All you need is all purpose flour to bring the dough together.

    How to make slice and bake shortbread cookies

    Beginners and experienced home bakers will have an easy (and fun) time with this recipe. You can always rely on my recipe video for extra guidance! Here’s how it’s done:

    A large bowl of butter, sugar, and vanilla extra beaten together.

    Step 1: Cream the powdered sugar, vanilla, and butter together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

    a teal bowl full of shortbread cookie dough.

    Step 2: Add the flour and mix until it just starts to come together.

    Be careful not to overmix or else the cookies will be tough and dense!

    cutting a ball of shortbread cookie dough on a wooden board.

    Step 3: Form the dough into a large log. Cut it into two pieces.

    2 logs of shortbread cookie dough.

    Step 4: Shape both pieces into a 6-inch long log.

    Wrap them in parchment paper and place them in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.

    cutting rounds off a log of cookie dough and placing them on a parchment lined baking sheet.

    Step 5: When it’s time to bake, slice some rounds off of the logs and place them on two parchment-lined baking sheets.

    baked shortbread cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet.

    Step 6: Bake until the edges are just starting to brown. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before wrapping them for gifts or enjoying a few for yourself!

    baked shortbread cookies on a parchment lined baking sheet.
    Tip - If the bottoms of your cookies are this color or slightly lighter, you cooked your cookies perfectly!

    Shortbread add-ins

    Classic shortbread is fantastic on its own, but add-ins and toppings can make them SO much better! Either stir these suggestions into the cookie dough itself or lay them out on a plate and roll the edges of the logs or sliced rounds in them instead:

    • Toffee bits - Toffee shortbread is so good!
    • Crushed candy canes
    • Colorful sprinkles
    • Chocolate chips - Milk, dark, or white chocolate.
    • Dried fruit - Dried cranberries would be perfect for the holidays.
    • Cinnamon sugar
    • Pumpkin spice
    • Frosting - Vanilla buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or festive eggnog frosting.
    • Crushed nuts - Pistachios, almonds, or walnuts.
    3 shortbread cookies on a pink plate.

    Storing and freezing

    Storing raw cookie dough: Wrap the raw dough logs in plastic and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    Storing baked cookies: Baked shortbread keeps well at room temperature for about 5 days. Just store them in a sealed container to keep them tasting fresh.

    Freezing raw cookie dough: Once the dough logs are formed, wrap them in a few layers of plastic and place in an airtight container. They freeze well for up to 3 months. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then slice and bake.

    Freezing baked cookies: Store the cookies in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

    a large plate filled with shortbread cookies next to smaller plates holding cookies and a cup of coffee.

    Recipe

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    a horizontal overhead of multiple shortbread cookies stacked on top of each other.

    Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies Step-by-Step

    These Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies are the easy and convenient way to make these classic holiday cookies! All you need are 4 ingredients and 20 minutes to prep.
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    Print Rate Pin
    Author: Michelle Weiner
    Course: Dessert
    Keyword: easy, holiday
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Makes: 40 cookies

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup salted butter, softened
    • ¾ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl until it just becomes light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
    • Add flour and on low speed, beat until the dough just starts to come together, about 3 minutes.
    • Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and press together to form a log. Divide the dough in half and form each piece of dough into a 6-inch log. Wrap in parchment paper and chill for at least 2 hours, up to three days.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice each log into ¼-3/4 inch slices and evenly space on the baking sheets. You should have about 40 cookies.
    • Bake until the bottom edges of the cookies just start to brown, 14-16 minutes. Allow cookies to cool and serve!
    Did you make this recipe?Share a pic and tag @cupofzest and use #cupofzest so I can see it!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 8mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 142IU | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Comments

      5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Your star rating and comment can make all the difference in helping others discover the perfect recipe for their next shindig. And let's be honest, who doesn't love a good party? So let's get this party started by sharing the love and making sure everyone has a delicious time. Thanks for being a part of the Party Food Crew! And remember, party more & stress less!

      🎉 Cheers,
      Michelle

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karon says

      July 21, 2023 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is THE best and simplest shortbread cookie. Just as it touches your taste buds you are in heaven and just melts in your mouth as you savor the goodness!!
      I followed the instructions completely, except used a trusted quality butter.

      Reply
      • Michelle Weiner says

        October 02, 2023 at 2:12 pm

        Karon, thank you so much for this awesome review. Hearing you describe these cookies is exactly the way I hoped people would enjoy them! So glad you used your trusted quality butter!

        Reply
    2. Linda says

      March 20, 2023 at 3:21 pm

      After slicing them, could you use a cookie stamp on these?

      Reply
      • Michelle Weiner says

        April 01, 2023 at 5:06 pm

        I have not tried stamping them after slicing. The dough is pretty firm and can be a bit crumbly, so I do not think it will work well. If you do try stamping these, please let us know how it goes!

        Reply
    3. Rosemary says

      October 29, 2022 at 9:09 am

      I can’t wait to try but have two questions

      How much does the dough spread out during baking? I want to gauge the circumference of the baked cookie

      When the cookies are first removed from oven are they soft and get crispy as they cool or are they pretty hard immediately after baking?

      Reply
      • Michelle Weiner says

        October 30, 2022 at 2:22 pm

        Can't wait for you to make them too!

        Great Q's!

        The dough should not spread much as long as the dough is cold when the cookies are baked.

        The are on the softer side when the come out of the oven and firm up once they cool completely. They don't necessarily get crispy.

        Hope that helps and let me know if you have any other questions!

        Reply
    4. Sandra W. says

      October 27, 2022 at 1:11 pm

      I notice that your shortbread cookies don't have any holes poked into them . Is there a reason for this? (Elsewhere, it is said that the holes are for letting steam escape while baking).
      Just curious.
      Sandra

      Reply
      • Michelle Weiner says

        October 30, 2022 at 2:24 pm

        Actually I don't have a reason for not poking the holes in the recipe. When I tested without the holes it worked, so I didn't bother adding that step in! Thanks for the question Sandra!

        Reply
    5. JOANNE says

      July 12, 2022 at 6:30 am

      I need to cut these into tea bag shapes but would like to make ahead of time. Should I freeze the dough as a disk and roll and then cut shapes to bake? Or should I freeze cut dough shapes and then bake from frozen (or defrosted)?

      Reply
      • Michelle Weiner says

        July 14, 2022 at 12:07 pm

        Hi Joanne!

        This dough is very crumbly and meant for slice and bake, not a necessarily for cutting into shapes. I've never tried rolling it out, but if you want to give it a go, I would press/roll the dough out into the thickness you want between two pieces of parchment paper, place the whole thing on a baking sheet.

        Then chill for at least an hour with the parchment on it.

        Remove the top parchment, cut the shapes, remove the excess dough, and then bake.

        OR, try this recipe for cut out shortbread cookies from Ahead of Thyme. I've never used it but it has great reviews!

        Hope this helps!

        Reply
    6. Sunny says

      December 22, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe!
      Have made 3 batches for Christmas

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        December 23, 2021 at 9:25 am

        YAY! That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks so much for sharing and making this recipe 🙂

        Reply
    7. Esther Padgett says

      December 09, 2021 at 6:36 pm

      Years ago in the 70s, there was a store-bought package of Christmas shortbread cookies stacked in cupcake liners that came out annually. That stopped around 1990. Could your recipe handle sugar crystals or sprinkles in colors?

      Reply
      • Michelle Ferrand says

        December 12, 2021 at 2:18 pm

        Hi Esther,

        I haven't tried it with sprinkles, but I think it should work! If you're mixing the colored sprinkles in, I would try with 2 tablespoons of them for the first batch and see how it goes.

        If you try it, please report back so we can hear how it went!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Michelle and welcome to the party!

    After of working in the culinary world for over 10 years, I'm sharing the skills I've learned with you here at Cup of Zest. I'm here to help you invite your friends over more and stress less when cooking for them. Glad you're part of the crew!

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