Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe

The Fluffiest Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Buttery, melt-in-your-mouth whipped shortbread cookies dance between delicate and decadent.

These heavenly treats bring a classic whipped shortbread cookies recipe to life with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Light as air and crisp around the edges, each cookie promises a delightful crunch that melts instantly on your tongue.

The secret lies in whipping the butter and sugar until supremely fluffy and aerated.

Soft, delicate, and simply irresistible, these cookies transform ordinary moments into sweet celebrations.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this foolproof recipe and impress everyone with their baking prowess.

Prepare to indulge in a cookie that’s both elegant and comforting.

Why Whipped Shortbread Cookies Always Win Hearts

  • Spread Holiday Cheer: Create adorable Christmas cookies that instantly boost festive spirit and bring smiles to everyone's faces.
  • Beginner-Friendly Baking: Perfect for novice bakers with simple steps and minimal technical skills required, making cookie decorating fun and stress-free.
  • Customizable Creativity: Design unique cookies with different shapes, colors, and decorations that allow personal expression and spark joy during holiday gatherings.
  • Kid-Approved Activity: Engaging recipe that transforms baking into a delightful family experience, encouraging children to participate and create sweet memories together.

Everything You Need for Whipped Shortbread

Base Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich and creamy ingredient that gives the shortbread its classic tender texture.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds delicate sweetness and helps create a smooth, light cookie.
  • Cornstarch: Provides a soft, delicate crumb and helps create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Flour: The structural base that holds the cookie together and provides substance.
Optional Mix-Ins:
  • Dark Chocolate Chunks: Adds a rich, intense chocolate flavor to the classic shortbread.
  • Sprinkles: Brings a festive and colorful touch to the cookies.
Finishing Touches:
  • Melted Chocolate: Offers an extra layer of sweetness and indulgence for dipping the cookies.

Steps for Baking Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer, whisk together softened butter, powdered sugar, and cornstarch until the mixture becomes incredibly smooth and light. The key is to create a fluffy, cloud-like texture that will make these cookies absolutely divine.

  • Butter
  • Powdered sugar
  • Cornstarch

Step 2: Fold in Flour

Gradually add flour to the creamy mixture, mixing gently until the dough becomes soft and pillowy. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain that delicate, airy consistency that makes these shortbread cookies so special.

  • All-purpose flour

Step 3: Get Creative with Mix-Ins

Elevate your cookies by experimenting with delightful add-ins. Fold in dark chocolate chunks for a rich twist, or sprinkle in colorful jimmies to create a festive look.

The possibilities are endless and totally delicious!

  • Dark chocolate chunks
  • Colorful sprinkles (optional)

Step 4: Shape the Cookies

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop dollops of dough onto a lined baking sheet.

Leave some space between each cookie to allow for slight spreading during baking.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven.

Bake until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown, creating a delicate crispness that contrasts with the cookie’s tender interior.

  • Oven temperature: 350°F (175°C)
  • Baking time: 9-12 minutes

Step 6: Cool and Embellish

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

For an extra indulgent touch, dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkle with additional toppings.

  • Melted chocolate (optional)
  • Extra sprinkles (optional)

Step 7: Serve and Delight

Arrange these melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies on a pretty platter.

Share with loved ones and watch their faces light up with each buttery, crumbly bite!

Notes for Perfect Whipped Shortbread Texture

  • Use room temperature, high-quality butter for the creamiest, most luxurious texture in your shortbread cookies.
  • Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the cookies light and delicate; stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are just combined.
  • Experiment with different toppings like crushed nuts, colored sugar, or drizzled chocolate to personalize your cookies.
  • Watch cookies closely during baking; remove them when edges are just turning golden to prevent burning and maintain their tender texture.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week to keep them fresh and crumbly.
  • Gluten-Free Shortbread: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic buttery texture.
  • Vegan Variation: Swap butter with coconut oil and use plant-based powdered sugar to create a dairy-free alternative that's just as creamy and delicious.
  • Lavender Infusion: Add dried culinary lavender to the dough for an elegant, aromatic cookie that brings a sophisticated flavor profile to the traditional recipe.
  • Citrus Zest Upgrade: Incorporate lemon or orange zest into the mixture for a bright, refreshing take on the classic shortbread cookie that adds a vibrant burst of flavor.

What to Serve With Whipped Shortbread Cookies

  • Pair Creamy Hot Cocoa: Indulge in a rich, velvety hot chocolate that complements the buttery, delicate texture of whipped shortbread cookies. The warm, sweet beverage enhances the cookie's melt-in-your-mouth experience.
  • Create Espresso Companion: Brew a strong, bold espresso to contrast the cookie's subtle sweetness. The intense coffee flavor cuts through the richness, creating a perfect balance of taste and texture.
  • Elevate with Dessert Wine: Select a sweet dessert wine like Moscato or Port to accompany these delicate cookies. The wine's fruity notes and light sweetness beautifully highlight the shortbread's delicate buttery profile.

Keeping Whipped Shortbread Cookies Softest

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 5 days. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent sticking.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies on a microwave-safe plate for 10-15 seconds. Check temperature to avoid overheating and maintain soft texture.
  • Preheat oven to 275F, place cookies on a baking sheet, and warm for 3-5 minutes to restore crisp edges and fresh-baked taste.

FAQs

The whipping technique creates a lighter, fluffier texture by incorporating more air into the dough, making the cookies exceptionally tender and delicate.

  • Can I make these cookies without a mixer?

While a mixer is recommended for achieving the signature fluffy texture, you can use a hand mixer or mix vigorously by hand, though the result might be slightly less airy.

  • How do I prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking?

Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking and ensure your butter is at the right temperature (cool but not cold) to help maintain the cookies’ shape.

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Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Delightful whipped shortbread cookies melt in your mouth with buttery richness from traditional Scottish baking. Light, airy crumbles create sweet moments that invite pure comfort and simple joy for cookie enthusiasts.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup (32 grams) cornstarch

Garnish and Decoration:

  • Dark chocolate chunks
  • Sprinkles
  • Melted chocolate for dipping

Instructions

  1. Cream softened butter, powdered sugar, and cornstarch in a stand mixer until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency with no visible lumps.
  2. Gradually incorporate flour into the mixture, mixing gently until the dough transforms into a light, airy texture that appears almost cloud-like.
  3. Optionally, fold in dark chocolate chunks or colorful sprinkles to enhance the cookie’s flavor profile and visual appeal.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) while preparing a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing between each cookie.
  6. Bake for 9-12 minutes, watching carefully until the cookie edges develop a delicate golden hue without over-browning.
  7. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes to firm up slightly.
  8. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them completely cool and set.
  9. For an indulgent finishing touch, consider dipping cooled cookies in melted chocolate and sprinkling additional decorative elements on top.
  10. Serve and savor these delicate, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies with loved ones.

Notes

  • Chill the butter beforehand to ensure a smoother, more consistent dough texture that blends effortlessly.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to help the butter whip up lighter and create a more delicate cookie crumb.
  • Add a pinch of salt to enhance the buttery flavor and balance the sweetness, creating a more complex taste profile.
  • Try alternative flours like almond or gluten-free flour blends to make these cookies suitable for different dietary needs.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Scottish

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 110 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 30 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Fiber: 0.2 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 25 mg
Jess Martinez

Jess Martinez

Contributing Recipe Writer & Nutrition Consultant

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cooking, Nutritional analysis and healthy recipe planning, Cultural food traditions, Modifying traditional dishes for better health

Education

Santa Fe Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on mastering the flavors and cooking methods of traditional Southwestern cuisine.


Jess’s love for bold, homegrown flavors led her straight into the world of Southwestern cooking and cultural nutrition.
After completing her Certificate in Culinary Arts at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to show that good-for-you food can still taste incredible.
At saltytart.com, Jess shares vibrant, health-conscious recipes with roots in tradition but a fresh, modern twist. When she’s not testing new recipes, you’ll find her at local growers’ markets, tending her herb garden, or digging into food history books.

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