Effortlessly Delicious: The Best 5-Ingredient Classic Shortbread Cookies Recipe
These Classic Shortbread Cookies are rich, incredibly buttery, and made with just 5 simple ingredients, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience every time. Perfect for holiday baking, special occasions, or simply enjoying with a cup of tea any time of year!

There’s something truly magical about a perfectly baked shortbread cookie. Sadly, these humble delights sometimes get an unfair reputation for being dry or overly crunchy. But I’m here to tell you that when made with care and the right ingredients, classic shortbread cookies are anything but. They should be tender, incredibly buttery, and literally melt in your mouth with every bite. If you’ve ever been disappointed by shortbread in the past, get ready to change your mind with today’s incredibly easy shortbread cookie recipe!
What makes this recipe so exceptional? It’s astonishingly simple, requiring only five basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Yes, that includes both the vanilla extract for a hint of warmth and salt to balance the sweetness. Beyond the minimal ingredient list, the dough comes together in less than 10 minutes and, even better, requires absolutely no chilling time. This means you can go from craving delicious homemade shortbread to enjoying warm, freshly baked cookies in under 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate easy shortbread recipe for any baker, from beginner to expert.
The process is incredibly straightforward: simply mix up the cookie dough, scoop it into uniform balls, roll them, flatten them with your preferred tool, and then bake to golden perfection. For an extra touch of elegance or sweetness, you can even add a simple glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar on top. These versatile butter shortbread cookies are a must-try!