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This Soft Shortbread Cookie recipe is the ultimate cookie for the holidays. The recipe makes a lot of cookies and they’re a blank canvas – you can make so many different ways. I’m showing you how to make 4 different shortbread cookies, including chocolate dipped shortbread!
Chewy and Soft Shortbread Cookies
Years ago I worked with a brand called Krusteaz and they had a shortbread cookie mix. I don’t think it’s still available, and a lot of people wanted to know how to make them, because they were so good. The taste was classic shortbread that was soft in texture instead of crumbly. This is the substitute I came up with!
These are a bit softer and melty than your traditional buttery shortbread cookies, but that’s what makes them the best for me. I love homemade buttery and soft cookies! Plus you don’t need a rolling pin – these are drop cookies!
These drop cookies have 4 easy flavor variations. Whether you decide to dip them in chocolate, add m&ms, or make shortbread thumbprint cookies, you’re going to love using this recipe for Christmas cookies (or anytime you feel like them!)
Ingredients needed
- Butter: unsalted butter at room temperature. If you use salted butter, just omit adding salt later. Real butter is important when making shortbread.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral oil doesn’t add flavor but is what keeps the cookies soft. The combination of butter and oil makes a soft and chewy cookie (like my World’s Best Cookies).
- Powdered sugar: The sugar used in the cookies is confectioners’ sugar instead of granulated or brown sugar. This also keeps them soft.
How to make soft shortbread cookies
- Beat butter and oil with a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, then slowly mix in powdered sugar and salt. Slowly add salt and flour and mix until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop 1 or 2 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough onto baking sheet. Flatten slightly with the palm of your hand. Bake until the edges just turn brown and tops are just no longer translucent. Cool on a wire rack before dipping or stacking.
- For M&M Shortbread Cookies: add M&Ms on top of the cookie dough ball before baking.
- For Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies: Dip cooled cookies halfway into melted chocolate or white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes, toffee bits, nuts, or sprinkles while still wet, if desired.
- For Thumbprint Cookies: make 1 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough. Roll them between your hands to form a ball. Bake until lightly golden on the bottom and then press a thumb hole with a wooden spoon handle or the back of a measuring spoon. Cool completely. Fill with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam, cold hot fudge ice cream topping, or cold caramel ice cream topping.
Expert Tips
- Mixing the cookie dough will take awhile with a hand mixer so I recommend using a stand mixer instead to save some time.
- I love hot fudge with some sea salt in the back, and salted caramel ice cream topping in the front of your shortbread cookie.
- Drizzle your thumbprint shortbread cookies with a little melted chocolate to dress them up even more.
- To make the best christmas shortbread cookies, decorate them with crushed candy canes or toffee bits or nuts or sprinkles.
FAQs
Yes except your traditional shortbread cookies have a little crisp to the bite. This cookie recipe is softer and more buttery than any shortbread cookie recipe.
Yes, you can! This is the perfect make ahead holiday cookie since it keeps well in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Your shortbread cookies are done when the edges just turn brown and tops are just no longer translucent.
Soft Shortbread Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup (118ml) vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups (170g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 ½ cups (434g) all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Beat butter and oil with a hand or a stand mixer, then slowly mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Slowly add flour and mix until a thick dough forms. This will take awhile with a hand mixer!
- Scoop 1 or 2 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough onto cookie sheets. Flatten slightly with the palm of your hand. Bake until the edges just turn brown and tops are just no longer translucent (2 tablespoon sized cookies: 10-14 minutes, 1 tablespoon sized cookies: 8-12 minutes). Cool completely before removing from cookie sheets. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.
- For M&M Shortbread Cookies: add M&Ms on top of the cookie dough ball before baking. For 2 tablespoon sized cookies, I suggest using 5-6 plain M&Ms, any color.
- For Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies: melt 4 ounces of white or semi-sweet baking chocolate according to package directions. Dip cooled cookies halfway into chocolate, tapping off the excess, and then place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet and chill until hardened. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes, toffee bits, nuts, or sprinkles while still wet, if desired.
- For Thumbprint Cookies: make 1 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough. Roll them between your hands to form a ball. Use the back of a wooden spoon to slightly make an indent in the center of each cookie. Bake until lightly golden on the bottom (8-12 minutes) and then re-press hole with the wooden spoon handle as needed. Cool completely. For filling, fill with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam, cold hot fudge ice cream topping, or cold caramel ice cream topping. If desired, melt some dark or white baking chocolate to drizzle over the top.
Recipe Notes
- Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or lemon extract (or any kind) for more flavor
- Don’t overtake – they are supposed to be soft.
- Store in an airtight container or freeze for up to 3 months.
Oooooohhhaaaaa…these look good. I could go for 1 or 12 right about now! I think the dipped ones would be my favorite. Or maybe the thumb print ones with chocolate and/or caramel. YUM!
I grew up with a fake tree, but my husband didn’t. So for years, we dragged the tree into the house, swept the needles, yelled about the watering, and the mess. It all ended the year the tree went down. It’s been a fake tree every since and I couldn’t be happier. The cookies look great – I love shortbread.
Three times, eh? That would have been two too many for me. lol That’s awesome you nailed it after 3 tries and got it just like that mental vision of cookie nirvana you had in your mind going into it. I know those visions and sometimes they are easier to achieve than others!
Congrats on the tree. I have never once put up a tree in my adult life. That’s right. We travel half the month, or more, and so what’s the point I always say. Skylar has never known the difference so I’m like…sweet! 🙂
Sounds like my dream cookie texture. Awesome.
We have a fake tree too, and it is such a huge timesaver. What a great analogy to your shortbread cookies too. They are a fantastic way to celebrate National Cookie Day!
Is that today? Wow I’m en pointe and didn’t even know it, lol.
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