Is there anything better than shortbread at Christmas time? This is the only time of the year I ever make this (all bar last year when I made interesting shaped shortbreads for my sister’s hens night), and i just LOVE the stuff.
This recipe is from my Mum, going waaaay back to when we were kids and she was stuck with us in a Doctor’s waiting room watching crappy morning tv shows (this was the early 90s – some things haven’t changed though), and she saw this on a cooking show called ‘What’s Cooking’. She was so impressed with it, that she wrote down the number at the end of the show, and called up to get the recipe posted to her – that is a hard copy typed out and sent through the post – yes kids, this really used to happen! Since then it’s been her trusted recipe, which over the past few years since I’ve been making it I’ve called my own.
My biggest tip is that you need to make this in a cool room – living in Brisbane this can be hard during the Summer, so I always try to make it first thing in the morning.
Christmas Baking - Shortbread
Ingredients
- 250 g softened butter
- 125 g caster sugar
- 25 g rice flour
- 5 drops of vanilla essence
- 375 g plain flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190 degrees.
- Beat together the butter, sugar and rice flour until they turn white. Add a few drops of vanilla essence and continue to beat.
- Gradually add the flour to the mixture, whilst continuing to mix on a low speed until a paste forms.
- Turn mixture onto a cool bench dusted with flour and work until a smooth ball forms. I split my ball into two and place one in the fridge, covered in glad wrap.
- Roll the other ball until apron 1cm thick and use cookie cutter to make desired shapes.
- Bake in oven for approx 12 minutes until edges start to turn a golden brown.
Enjoy!
What’s your favourite family Christmas recipe?
sophiebowns says
I love shortbread, you can’t go wrong!
laurenm83 says
So true, it’s so yummy and also a great christmas present!
sophiebowns says
Yes, absolutely 🙂
thebrookcook says
These look tasty! I usually make shortbread snowflakes as a Christmas cookie. After I cut out the shapes, I refrigerate the cookies again (even overnight!) prior to baking– it really helps maintain the shape. (maybe this would solve your cool room issue!) I also put a confectioners’ sugar glaze over the top.
It looks like you do as much Christmas baking as I do!! Such a nice gift. 🙂
peregrinationgourmande says
Mmmm. I love shortbread so much and they are hard to find here. I have to learn to make them. Another Excellent Christmas recipe biscuit!
catherine
Leanne - Lime & Mortar says
I love shortbread however I’ve never actually just made shortbread biscuits. Think I may have too in the near future!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
My husband is in charge of shortbread in our house, using a recipe passed down from his Scottish side of the family. I hate making biscuits like this in QLD’s heat and humidity. I get so frustrated. Thanks for linking up with my Christmas Link Party. xx
Mary says
Hi Malinda , I’m a Scot and I’ve lost my mums recipe would your husband share his one . I would love a copy
Thanks
Mary xx
[email protected] on Tour says
My son and I just made some Christmas Shortbread cookies over the weekend, he had a ball decorating them: they make a great Christmas gift for the teacher.