Scottish Shortbread Recipe
Classic Scottish shortbread is a buttery, crumbly biscuit that’s perfect with tea or as a sweet snack. Made from a simple blend of butter, plain and rice flours, and sugar, this recipe yields tender, golden bars with a delicate crumb and lightly crisp edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 16 shortbread bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scottish
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Dough
- 250g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for the tin
- 350g plain flour
- 50g rice flour
- 100g caster sugar, plus 1 tbsp extra for sprinkling
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Tin: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan)/Gas mark 4. Butter and line a 28 x 18cm baking tin with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the Dough: In a food processor, pulse together the softened butter, plain flour, rice flour, salt, and 100g caster sugar until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Continue pulsing until it comes together into a rough ball. Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a bowl and rub them together with your fingertips until the texture is breadcrumb-like, then bring the dough together into a pliable ball.
- Press Dough into Tin: Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking tin, smoothing the surface. Using a sharp knife, score the dough into 16 bars to make cutting easier after baking.
- Add Sugar Topping and Bake: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of caster sugar evenly over the scored dough. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the shortbread is golden and set.
- Cool and Cut: Remove from the oven and prick the dough all over with a fork to release steam. Let it cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, cut through the scored lines to separate the shortbread bars.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for better texture.
- Using rice flour along with plain flour helps create a crumblier texture.
- Pricking the dough after baking helps prevent sogginess by releasing steam.
- Store shortbread in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crispness.
- You can use salted butter but omit the added salt to balance flavors.
Keywords: Scottish shortbread, shortbread recipe, buttery biscuit, traditional Scottish dessert, easy shortbread
Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/scottish-shortbread-recipe/
