Description
These Meltingly Good Whipped Shortbread Cookies are irresistibly light, tender, and perfect for any occasion. Made with simple pantry staples like butter, sugar, and flour, these cookies whip up into delicate, buttery bites with a subtle vanilla flavor. They’re easy to prepare and can be customized with sprinkles for a festive touch, making them a crowd-pleaser for holidays, parties, or everyday treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 ½ cups butter (softened, salted)
- ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or lemon/orange extract)
Optional
- ¼ cup sprinkles
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1½ cups of softened butter and ¾ cup of confectioners’ sugar. Whisk on medium-high speed for 4-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Flavoring: Mix in 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract until fully combined, distributing the flavor evenly throughout the dough.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add 2¼ cups of sifted all-purpose flour and ¾ cup of cornstarch to the wet ingredients. Beat just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping it tender.
- Form Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 36 equal-sized balls. If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to firm up, which makes shaping easier.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the cookie dough balls on a pre-lined baking tray. Gently press each ball with a fork dipped in flour or cornstarch to create a crisscross pattern on top. If desired, sprinkle sprinkles on the cookies for a festive look.
- Chill Cookies: Refrigerate the shaped cookie balls for 2 hours. This chilling step helps the cookies keep their shape and develop a tender crumb when baked.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Bake the cookies for 19-20 minutes, or until the tops look set but remain pale. Avoid browning to maintain their delicate texture and flavor.
- Cool: Remove the tray from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet completely before removing. This allows them to firm up and prevents breaking.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to maintain the shape and texture of the cookies.
- Use salted butter as specified to balance the sweetness.
- Sifting the flour helps to create a lighter texture.
- These cookies keep well for up to a week stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- For a citrus twist, swap vanilla extract for lemon or orange extract as suggested.
- You can omit sprinkles for a classic look or add your favorite decorations.
