If you’re a shortbread lover, then this easy Scotch Shortbread Fingers recipe is for you! Crunchy and golden, this buttery shortbread has just three ingredients: butter, flour, and sugar. It’s the perfect sweet little something alongside a cup of tea.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Not too long ago, I was happily tasked with preparing these delicious and easy Scotch shortbread finger cookies for a dear friend’s daughter’s wedding reception. It was the perfect slightly sweet bite to have alongside the other rich food and the decadent wedding cake. Plus, they’re a cinch to make!
These were a hit at the wedding, so I knew I had to share them with all of you here!
Even better, you only need three ingredients to make this homemade shortbread recipe — butter, flour, and sugar. That’s it!
Ingredients
It’s true. You only need 3 ingredients to make this homemade shortbread recipe! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 cups of butter (aka two sticks, softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup of white granulated sugar
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
Additionally, you can garnish these Scotch shortbread fingers with coarse sugar before baking, but that’s totally optional.
How To Make These Cookies
- Preheat your oven to 375°, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Beat the softened butter until creamy with an electric stand mixer.
- Gradually add in the cup of sugar.
- Then, add the flour gently, and mix until mixture is well-combined. The dough will be somewhat crumbly.
- Press dough into parchment lined 11″ X 17″ jelly roll pan (with sides). Sprinkle with the sparkly, coarse white sugar (if using), and gently press into the dough.
- Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until just turning golden brown. Cut into uniform shortbread “fingers” immediately after removing from the oven.
- Enjoy with a cup of tea, some coffee, or a cold glass of milk!
Storage Instructions
Store cooled Scotch shortbread fingers in an airtight container or plastic bag at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the dough to make later. I like to freeze it in the shape of the baking pan for easier transfer later and to just bak from frozen.
Tips for Success
- Use your stand mixer to cream the butter. Then gradually add the sugar, and finally the flour. That’s it for making the dough! So easy.
- Press the dough into a parchment-lined cookie sheet with sides and sprinkle with coarse, sparkly white sugar. Lightly press the coarse sugar into the dough. Then, bake for 18-20 minutes or until it’s just turning golden brown. Remove from the oven and immediately slice into long shortbread “fingers.”
- I was able to get nearly 60, 4″ long shortbread fingers per pan. Both panfuls were baked and cooling on the rack in under an hour!
MORE EASY COOKIE RECIPES
- Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- King Arthur Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolatey Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans
- Lime Sugared Chewy Ginger Cookies
Easy Scotch Shortbread Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups butter room temperature
- 1 cup white sugar
- 4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons coarse sparkling white sugar (for sprinkling on top)
- You can use regular white sugar if you can't find the coarse, sparkling white sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- With electric stand mixer, beat butter until creamy.
- Gradually add in 1 cup of sugar.
- Add in flour and mix until mixture is well combined (Will be somewhat crumbly.)
- Press dough into parchment lined 11" X 17" jelly roll pan (with sides).
- Sprinkle with the sparkly, coarse white sugar and gently press into the dough.
- Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until just turning golden brown.
- (You can also use a 10" X 14" jelly roll pan, and that will take just a little longer to bake, closer to 25 minutes.)
- The key is to watch shortbread closely and when it is just turning golden brown, remove from the oven.
- Cut into uniform shortbread "fingers" immediately after removing from the oven.
- (Shortbread is somewhat crumbly when cool, and so it cuts much better when it's hot from the oven.)
- A trick I use to cut the shortbread evenly, is to get out my ruler.
- I cut the whole pan in half lengthwise and widthwise.
- Then I cut each quadrant in half, and then cut uniform "fingers" from that.
Notes
You may also like: Raspberry Peach Almond Shortbread Bars
or Pecan Crumble Blueberry Shortbread
Luci's Morsels says
Shortbread is one of my favorite cookies! I love the simplicity of this recipe, I’ll be making these soon!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I’m a shortbread fanatic, Allie, so these look just perfect right now. I’m so glad you’re finally having some spring weather, too. And that wedding sounded just beautiful. I love the horseshoe idea–it’s so sweet and memorable. Have a great week!
Shashi at Savory Spin says
Yay – Allie, I am so thrilled for you that spring seems to have finally sprung up in your neck of the frozen tundra! And, no wonder you were asked to make a batch of these Scotch Shortbread for the wedding guests – though, if I had been the one asking you, I might have had to have some alone time with these first before I served the rest (if there was any) to guests! One of these days Allie, we are gonna sit down and enjoy this shortbread and some of my carrot bars and a cuppa coffee …one of these days….
Hoping alls well on the buying and selling front!
And, hoping your week is wonderful xoxo
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’m so glad you are finally getting some spring weather and the wedding sounds lovely. I love the simplicity of this shortbread. Sounds just perfect for nibbling!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I will always choose shortbread over anything! These look amazing!
Balvinder says
I love anything that is crispy and flaky. These sound wonderful and tempting. No wonder you were asked to make these for the wedding guests!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
Shortbread is such a delicious treat! I love how you’ve cut them into “fingers” – perfect for snacking!
Aunt Pinkie says
Love shortbread and this looks delicious!
Sue says
I’ve never made shortbread before, but it’s definitely first on my to-do list tomorrow morning! Thanks, Allie, for sharing another amazing recipe!
Allie says
Thanks so much Sue, I hope you and your family enjoy it!
Adina says
Simplicity at its best! I love this kind of short bread, but I don’t make it too often, because one gets too wrapped up in more complicated things way too often. Spring is my favorite season too, I am still waiting for it though, we had snow all day long yesterday and today is freezing cold. 🙁
Catherine says
Dear Allie, I just love how simple these are and they look so good! So buttery and flakey…I would love one now with some tea. There’s a bit of chill in the air after such a nice weekend….this is sure to hit the spot. I hope you and yours had a beautiful Easter holiday! xo, Catherine
GiGi Eats says
I would devour those without even blinking an EYE!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Sounds like you attended a beautiful wedding, Allie! And how sweet that you made this scotch shortbread for the festivities!? Remind me to invite you to our vow renewal. hahaha. I’m kidding. Well, you would be invited, but I wouldn’t ask you to bring anything! Anyways, I looooove shortbread, but I don’t think I’ve ever had scotch shortbread! Clearly that needs to change! I mean, only 3 ingredients?! I can totally handle that! And then i’d eat the entire pan of this deliciousness! Cheers, friend! Hope all is well with you and the house situation!!! XOXO
Tammy says
Ooooh my goodness! These look fantastic 😀 Look at that buttery golden goodness <3
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Oh, yummy! I am happy to know that you are also getting some spring like weather. Here it feels warm one day and cold again next day. That wedding sounds beautiful, Alle. And oh my gosh. This scotch shortbread looks so buttery and delish. I surely love if you’re a shortbread, and this Crunchy and golden goodness is calling my name. Would love to enjoy these with a hot cup pf tea. 🙂
Carina says
I love shortbread cookies! This recipe sounds great – I think I will use it for the next bakesale fundraiser! Thanks for the idea! Xoxo
Allie says
Awww…thanks Carina. I sure hope you enjoy these shortbread bars. I like that they make such a big batch (and freeze well!) with very minimal effort. You’ve been on my mind for sure. How are you? I’ve really been missing your posts so I’m guessing you must be in a very busy season of life. But I hope you and your family are doing well my friend. XOXO
CakenGifts.in Dehradun says
My mother made this cake,it was Fabulous!!!! My whole family enjoyed very much after eating it. Thanks for this amazing recipe……
cake delivery says
Thanks for sharing such a nice recipe.
Susie Mandel says
What a beautiful venue for a wedding and such a sweet tradition with the horse shoes. The mother of the bride was very smart in asking you to provide some nibbles between the wedding and reception, and the shortbread was the perfect choice, in my opinion. 🙂
Cheryl Lawson says
This looks great! Just printed it and can’t wait to try it some winter day with a cup of tea. Thanks for sharing!
Ernest Contreras says
Love short bread and make it simple,I am not much of a baker but enjoy simple recipes, one can do alot of finger shortbread like lady fingers, nice post Thanks.
Ernie
puja says
Wow, easy and tasty recipe Allie. I am thinking of trying it this weekend. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Jeff the Chef says
Looks delish. What makes it Scottish?
moumitha says
this is the best ever!!! i made it twice. it is super awesome… my family loved it… super easy to prepare and super tasty… thanks a lot for the recipe
Kellie says
Oh these look so delicious!! I am going to try them today!