Whipped Shortbread

Total Time

Prep: 50 min. Bake: 20 min./batch

Makes

8 dozen

Updated: Dec. 24, 2023
These whipped shortbread cookies melt in your mouth. Mostly I make them for the holidays, but I'll also prepare them year-round for wedding showers and afternoon teas. —Jane Ficiur, Bow Island, Alberta

Ingredients

  • 3 cups butter, softened
  • 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
  • 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 cups cornstarch
  • Nonpareils and/or halved candied cherries

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Gradually add flour and cornstarch, beating until well blended.
  2. With hands lightly dusted with additional cornstarch, roll dough into 1-in. balls. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press lightly with a floured fork. Top with nonpareils or cherry halves.
  3. Bake at 300° until bottoms are lightly browned, 20-22 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.
Test Kitchen Tips
  • Cornstarch in cookies? Its inclusion lends these shortbread cookies a lovely tenderness. Unlike chewy sugar cookies, shortbread cookies are tender and crumbly. Check all of our favorite vintage shortbread cookies.
  • To bump up the flavor, use salted butter and try adding a teaspoon of extract. We like vanilla and almond.
  • These delicious, buttery cookies are just asking for elegant add-ins such as lavender flowers or lemon zest and thyme.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 cookie: 87 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 46mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.