The Fluffiest Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe Ever

Sweet, buttery whipped shortbread cookies melt your taste buds with their delicate, cloud-like texture that practically dissolves on contact.

These light and airy treats glide effortlessly through classic shortbread traditions with a modern twist.

Soft butter and powdered sugar dance together, creating a magical blend that makes these cookies irresistibly smooth.

Each bite promises a delicate crumb that whispers of gentle sweetness and pure comfort.

The simple ingredients transform into elegant morsels that elevate afternoon tea or holiday gatherings.

Bakers of all skill levels can master these melt-in-your-mouth delights with minimal effort.

You’ll fall in love with this straightforward recipe that turns basic pantry staples into extraordinary moments of pure culinary joy.

Best Advice for Whipped Shortbread

• Spend extra time beating butter and sugar to achieve an ultra-light, almost white color for the fluffiest texture possible.
• Chill dough thoroughly to help cookies maintain their shape and prevent spreading during baking.
• Dip fork in powdered sugar before pressing cookies to create beautiful patterns without sticking.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and better cookie consistency.
• Add decorative sprinkles immediately after removing from oven while cookies are still warm for best adhesion.

Whipped Shortbread – Fresh Twists

• Gluten-Free Shortbread: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers.
• Vegan Shortbread: Swap butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternative, use plant-based powdered sugar to create dairy-free cookies.
• Chocolate Lovers' Version: Fold in mini chocolate chips into dough or drizzle melted dark chocolate over cooled cookies for extra richness.
• Citrus Infusion: Substitute almond extract with lemon or orange zest for a bright, refreshing flavor profile that transforms traditional shortbread.

Serving Whipped Shortbread with Tea

• Cookie Time Companions: Pair these delicate shortbread cookies with a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea for a classic afternoon treat.
• Festive Flavor Boost: Sprinkle crushed candy canes or colored holiday sprinkles on top to transform these cookies into seasonal celebration bites.
• Dessert Plate Perfection: Create an elegant cookie platter by arranging these whipped shortbread alongside chocolate truffles and fresh berries for a sophisticated sweet spread.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Pack these delicate cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with a ribbon for a charming homemade gift that looks professionally crafted.

Whipped Shortbread Storage Ideas

• Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent crumbling.
• Place cookies in freezer-safe container with wax paper separating layers. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring complete seal to prevent freezer burn.
• Remove frozen cookies and let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture loss.
• Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, away from direct sunlight and heat sources to preserve their delicate texture.

FAQs

• Why is whipping butter so important in this recipe?

Whipping butter incorporates air, creating a lighter, softer texture that makes these cookies melt-in-your-mouth tender and gives them their signature delicate crumb.

• Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Unsalted butter is recommended to control salt content precisely, but if you only have salted butter, reduce or eliminate any additional salt in the recipe to prevent over-salting.

• How do I know when the butter and sugar are properly whipped?

The mixture should become very pale, almost white, and look fluffy with a significantly increased volume, which typically takes 5-7 minutes of continuous beating.

Whipped Shortbread – Why It’s Always Loved

• No complicated techniques required, perfect for bakers of all skill levels from beginners to experienced cookie makers.
• Ultra-light and delicate shortbread that crumbles softly with each delightful bite, creating a luxurious cookie experience.
• Sprinkle decorations allow personal creativity, making these cookies great for holiday gatherings, family baking sessions, or sweet gifting moments.
• Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you can quickly prepare a batch of delicious cookies that everyone will love and appreciate.

Whipped Shortbread Ingredients

• Butter: A rich and creamy foundation that provides a smooth texture and delicate flavor to the shortbread cookies.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates a light and airy sweetness that helps achieve the signature whipped texture.
• Flour: The primary structure-building ingredient that gives the cookies their classic shortbread consistency.
• Corn Starch: Contributes to the tender and melt-in-your-mouth quality of the cookies.

• Almond Extract: A small but powerful ingredient that adds a subtle, aromatic nutty flavor to the shortbread.

• Sprinkles, Fork, Powdered Sugar: Optional decorative elements that add visual appeal and a delicate sweet touch to the cookies.

Tools Needed for Whipped Shortbread

• Stand mixer or hand mixer: Essential for whipping butter and sugar to light, fluffy consistency.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for combining ingredients and mixing dough.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending flour and corn starch evenly.
• Baking sheet: Used for shaping and baking cookies.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Fork: Helps create classic shortbread cookie pattern and press cookies.
• Airtight container: Necessary for chilling dough in refrigerator.
• Cooling rack: Optional for cooling cookies after baking.

Baking Whipped Shortbread Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter And Sugar

Grab your mixer and whip the butter and powdered sugar together.

Blend until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, super fluffy texture.

You’ll want to mix for about 5 minutes with a stand mixer or 7 minutes with a hand mixer.

Watch for the color to become almost white and incredibly light.

Step 2: Infuse With Flavor

Pour in the almond extract and mix thoroughly.

The extract will dance through the creamy butter mixture, creating a delightful aroma and taste.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, gently whisk together flour and corn starch.

Slowly fold this dry mixture into the butter blend, adding in three separate portions.

Mix each addition just until everything is smoothly combined.

Be careful not to overmix.

Step 4: Chill The Dough

Transfer your cookie dough into an airtight container.

Pop it into the refrigerator and let it rest for 2 hours.

This chilling time helps the flavors meld and makes the dough easier to handle.

Step 5: Shape And Decorate

Once chilled, roll the dough into small, adorable 1-inch balls.

Dip a fork into powdered sugar and gently press down on each ball, creating a classic criss-cross pattern.

Sprinkle some colorful decorations on top if you’re feeling festive.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Preheat your oven to 300°F.

Slide the cookie sheet into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Look for a very subtle golden color on the bottoms.

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before moving them.

Whipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Delightful whipped shortbread cookies melt in your mouth with buttery richness from Scotland. Crisp edges and delicate texture make these treats perfect for holiday gatherings and afternoon tea.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (12 tablespoons/170 grams) butter, softened
• 1 1/3 cups (170 grams) all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons (45 grams) corn starch

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• 6 tablespoons (45 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract

Decorative Ingredient:

• 1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cream butter and powdered sugar in a mixer at high speed for 5-7 minutes until the mixture transforms into an airy, pale volume with significant volume increase.
2. Incorporate almond extract thoroughly, ensuring complete integration into the whipped base.
3. Sift flour and corn starch together, then gently fold into the butter mixture in three gradual stages, avoiding overmixing to maintain delicate texture.
4. Refrigerate the dough in a sealed container for 2 hours to enhance flavor development and improve cookie structure.
5. Remove chilled dough and form into uniform 1-inch spheres using gentle rolling motions.
6. Dust a fork with powdered sugar and delicately press each cookie ball, creating traditional crosshatch patterns.
7. Optional: Sprinkle decorative elements like colored sugar or festive sprinkles across cookie surfaces.
8. Position cookies on parchment-lined baking sheet, allowing slight spacing between each.
9. Bake in a preheated 300°F oven for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until edges turn subtly golden and bottoms achieve a light caramel hue.
10. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for initial cooling, then transfer to wire rack to complete cooling process.

Notes

• Whipping Technique matters most for achieving that signature melt-in-your-mouth texture, so don’t rush the butter and sugar creaming process.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother blending and easier incorporation of ingredients, preventing lumpy cookie dough.
• Chilling the dough helps cookies maintain shape and prevents spreading during baking, creating more compact, delicate cookies.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, ensuring same tender crumb and delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Canadian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 95
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg