My Mum’s Heartwarming Shortbread Recipe: A Sweet Family Tradition

Memories of my childhood swirl around this classic mums shortbread recipe that connects generations.

Sweet butter and flour blend into a delicate Scottish tradition passed down through whispers and kitchen conversations.

Crisp edges and soft centers tell stories of warm afternoons spent watching skilled hands knead dough.

Grandmother’s wooden rolling pin left gentle imprints on each perfectly shaped triangle.

Simple ingredients come together with unexpected magic, creating something far beyond mere sugar and flour.

Crumbly, delicate textures promise comfort in every single bite.

She learned this recipe from her mother, who learned it from her own, weaving family history into each sweet morsel.

Let this treasured recipe become your new favorite comfort companion.

Shortbread Like Mum Made – Buttery, Simple, And Timeless

• Craft Nostalgic Family Memories: This recipe carries the warmth of home-cooked traditions passed down through generations, creating a delightful connection to family heritage.
• Minimal Ingredient Simplicity: Only four basic pantry staples are required, making this shortbread incredibly easy to whip up without complicated shopping or complex techniques.
• Stress-Free Baking Experience: With straightforward steps and low-temperature baking, even novice bakers can confidently create a classic Scottish treat that looks and tastes professional.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or casual snacking, this shortbread appeals to all ages with its buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture that sparks instant comfort.

My Mum’s Shortbread What’s Required

• Plain Flour, Cornflour: The foundation of shortbread, providing delicate, crumbly texture. Plain flour gives structure, while cornflour ensures a super-soft, melt-in-mouth quality.
• Butter, Sugar: Butter brings rich, creamy flavor and helps create the classic shortbread texture. Sugar adds sweetness and helps with golden color.

• Extra Caster Sugar: Sprinkled on top for a delicate sweet crunch and traditional presentation. Fine texture ensures even coating.

My Mum’s Shortbread Instructions – Family-Approved

Step 1: Prepare Oven and Workspace

Warm up your oven to 150°C (300°F).

Get your baking trays and workspace ready for a delightful shortbread adventure.

Step 2: Blend Butter and Sugar

In a mixing bowl, gently cream together butter and sugar until the mixture becomes smooth and well combined.

The goal is to create a light, fluffy base that will make your shortbread melt in your mouth.

Step 3: Combine Flour Mixture

Gradually fold in the sifted plain flour and cornflour.

Mix the ingredients gently, allowing the dough to come together naturally.

Stop mixing as soon as the dough forms a soft, cohesive ball.

Step 4: Shape the Shortbread

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Press each portion onto flat baking trays, forming round shapes about 1 cm thick and 21 cm in diameter.

Ensure the surface is smooth and even.

Step 5: Create Traditional Shortbread Design

Use your fingers to crimp the edges of each round, creating a delicate, traditional border.

Take a fork and gently prick the surface all over, adding that classic shortbread pattern that makes this treat so recognizable.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place the trays in the center of the oven.

Bake for 1 hour, making sure to swap and rotate the trays halfway through to ensure even baking.

Watch carefully to prevent any browning, as you want a pale, delicate finish.

Step 7: Slice While Warm

As soon as you remove the trays from the oven, cut each round into 12 equal slices while the shortbread is still hot.

This ensures clean, precise cuts.

Step 8: Add Final Touch

Sprinkle a light dusting of extra caster sugar over each round.

Let the shortbread cool completely on the trays, allowing it to set and develop its signature crumbly texture.

Step 9: Store and Enjoy

Transfer the cooled shortbread slices to an airtight container.

Keep at room temperature to maintain the perfect texture and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.

Baking Tips Straight from My Mum’s Shortbread Book

• Lightly beat sugar and butter to create a smooth, creamy base without overworking the mixture, ensuring a tender shortbread texture.
• Sift flour and cornflour together to prevent lumps and achieve a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that's light and crumbly.
• Swap and rotate baking trays halfway through cooking to guarantee uniform golden color and prevent any uneven browning or burning.
• Dust warm shortbread with extra caster sugar immediately after baking to create a delightful sweet crust that adds a subtle crunch and sparkle.
• Keep shortbread stored at room temperature in an airtight container to maintain its perfect crumbly texture and prevent moisture buildup.

Save My Mum’s Shortbread for Later

• Store shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days, keeping it away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain its delicate texture.
• Wrap individual shortbread slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or quality.
• Remove frozen shortbread from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, ensuring it regains its original crumbly consistency.
• Keep shortbread away from humid environments, using silica gel packets in the storage container to absorb excess moisture and preserve its crisp texture.

What to Serve with My Mum’s Shortbread

• Pair with Warm Beverages: Complement the buttery, crumbly shortbread with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea or smooth, rich hot chocolate, which perfectly balance the delicate sweetness of the traditional Scottish treat.
• Enhance with Fruit Accents: Serve alongside fresh raspberries or a dollop of raspberry compote to add a tangy brightness that cuts through the rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture of the shortbread.
• Create Dessert Wine Magic: Match with a chilled glass of sweet Moscato d'Asti or a light Pedro Ximénez sherry, whose subtle sweetness and delicate notes harmonize beautifully with the classic shortbread flavor profile.
• Explore Flavor Contrasts: Experiment with a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a light lemon sorbet to provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dense, buttery shortbread, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Mum’s Shortbread with Classic Edits

• Gluten-Free Shortbread: Replace plain flour with gluten-free flour blend and ensure cornflour is certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Butter Version: Swap traditional butter with coconut oil or plant-based vegan butter to create a dairy-free alternative that maintains the classic shortbread texture.
• Herbal Infusion Shortbread: Add finely chopped lavender, rosemary, or thyme into the dough for an aromatic and sophisticated flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Incorporate finely ground almonds or replace a portion of flour with almond meal to introduce a subtle nuttiness and enhance the shortbread's richness.

FAQs

• Why do I need to sift the flour and cornflour?

Sifting helps remove lumps and creates a smoother, lighter texture in your shortbread. It ensures even distribution of ingredients and prevents dense, heavy cookies.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate any additional salt in the recipe. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the final flavor and allows the buttery taste to shine through.

• How do I know when the shortbread is perfectly baked?

Look for a pale, golden color without browning. The edges should be set and slightly firm to the touch, but not dark. The shortbread should have a delicate, crumbly appearance.

• Why do I need to prick the dough with a fork?

Pricking creates the traditional shortbread pattern and helps prevent the dough from rising or developing air bubbles during baking. It’s both a decorative and functional technique passed down through generations.

My Mums Shortbread Recipe

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4.5 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering my mums shortbread whisks you straight to Scottish baking traditions, blending buttery richness with nostalgic comfort. Delicate crumbs and sweet memories melt together, inviting warm connections with each tender bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 300 g (2 1/4 cups) plain flour, sifted
• 300 g butter, softened
• 150 g (1 cup plus 1 tablespoon) cornflour, sifted

Sugar:

• 150 g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
• Extra caster sugar (1-2 teaspoons per round)

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven environment by heating to a gentle 150°C (300°F), ensuring an optimal baking temperature for delicate shortbread.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, tenderly combine sugar and butter, whisking until the mixture transforms into a creamy, uniform consistency.
3. Sift plain flour and cornflour together, then gradually incorporate into the butter mixture, folding with a light touch until the dough coheres into a soft, manageable ball.
4. Partition the dough into two equal segments, then gently press each portion onto ungreased baking sheets, forming circular discs approximately 1 cm thick and 21 cm in diameter.
5. Craft an authentic shortbread aesthetic by delicately crimping the edges using fingertips, then meticulously puncture the surface with a fork to create a traditional textural pattern.
6. Position the trays centrally in the oven, allowing a consistent 1-hour baking duration. Midway through cooking, carefully interchange tray positions and rotate them to guarantee uniform golden coloration, taking care to prevent excessive browning.
7. Upon removing from the oven while still piping hot, decisively slice each round into 12 symmetrical wedges using a sharp knife.
8. Liberally dust the warm shortbread rounds with additional caster sugar, creating a delicate crystalline finish, then permit complete cooling directly on the baking trays.
9. Transfer the cooled shortbread segments to an hermetic container, preserving them at ambient temperature to maintain their signature crumbly, melt-in-mouth texture.

Notes

• Use room temperature butter for the smoothest, most uniform texture that blends effortlessly with sugar.
• Select a fine-quality caster sugar to ensure a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread experience.
• Work the dough gently to prevent gluten development, maintaining the signature crumbly and tender shortbread consistency.
• Substitute cornflour with rice flour for an even more delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture that enhances the traditional Scottish shortbread profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Scottish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 299
• Sugar: 12.5 g
• Sodium: 1 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg