• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • All Recipes »
  • Most Popular »
    • 2-Banana Banana Bread
    • Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Extra Creamy Rice Pudding
    • Glazed Lemon Pound Cake Loaf
    • 15-Minute Udon Stir Fry
    • Multigrain Bread
    • Mango Salad
    • Pork Tenderloin Marsala
    • Homemade Baked Beans
    • Homemade Hamburger Buns
    • Carrot Cake Loaf
    • Classic Homemade Waffles
    • Authentic Poutine Recipe
  • SUBSCRIBE »
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
Seasons and Suppers logo
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • All Recipes »
  • Most Popular »
    • 2-Banana Banana Bread
    • Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese
    • Creamy Rice Pudding
    • Glazed Lemon Pound Cake Loaf
    • 15-Minute Udon Stir Fry
    • Multigrain Bread
    • Mango Salad
    • Pork Tenderloin Marsala
    • Homemade Baked Beans
    • Homemade Hamburger Buns
    • Carrot Cake Loaf
    • Homemade Classic Waffles
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Cookie Recipes

    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies

    Dec 5, 2013 | by Jennifer | Last Updated: Dec 1, 2021

    Jump to Recipe

    My Dad's recipe for traditional Christmas shortbread cookies. Make them early to allow them to age!

    Christmas shortbread cookies in tin

    Today I'm sharing my Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies recipe, that he makes every year in early December, then tucks away for holiday treats throughout the season.

    It wouldn't be Christmas for me without some traditional Christmas shortbread cookies. Shortbread cookies have been a staple every holiday season, going back a long way. My Dad's mother, my grandmother, made the best shortbread cookies, but as far as I know, she (sadly) never shared her special recipe.

    For many years my now 80-year-old Dad has taken care of baking the Christmas shortbread. He bakes them up in early December and let's them age for a few weeks until Christmas. This year, I asked if I could come by and document the annual shortbread cookie making and post about it here. He looked slightly terrified, so I promised to only photograph his hands :)

    My Dad didn't retire until he was 76, so he didn't have a lot of time for cooking over the years. Since retiring though, he's turned in to quite the baker. I clearly inherited both my sweet tooth and my baking ways from him.

    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies


    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies


    It was a beautiful sunny day in the kitchen for baking cookies and my Dad had the dough all ready and chilled. My Mom swears by this cloth covered rolling pin and cloth rolling sheet and meant that Dad was able to use only a little flour for rolling out his dough. The less flour for rolling the better for these cookies as you can re-roll your scraps and cut more without introducing more flour in to the dough.

    I'm a fan of rolled and cut shortbread cookies. The dough is perfect for it, as the cookies hold their shape really well. My Dad gets the dough out of the cutter by hitting the side of his hand on the pan until the dough drops out of the cutter and on to the baking sheet. This ensures that the cut shape stays perfect.

    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies


    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies


    Traditional toppings for Christmas shortbread are glace cherries, in red and green (cut in quarters) or red or green sugar sprinkles. They make for a festive plate of cookies. You can also use a walnut piece or blanched slivered almond. Once the cookies are cut and topped with cherries or sprinkles, they are put in to the freezer on the cookie sheet for 10-15 minutes to chill again before baking. This helps them hold their shape well.

    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies


    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies
    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies


    The cookies took about 30 minutes in the oven and were set onto cooling racks. As I noted above, shortbread cookies are ones that only get better with age, so bake them, cool and store in a cookie tin to age. You can also freeze both the cut dough shapes (to bake later) or the baked cookies.

    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies

    And here are his beautiful finished cookies. I can attest to the fact that they were delicious since generous sampling was undertaken ;) Thanks Dad for sharing your cookie recipe and your kitchen!

    Cook's Notes

    Traditional shortbread cookies need to "age" to develop flavour. In fact, if you try one right after baking, you will discover they have very little flavour. The flavour develops as they age. Simply allow to cool completely and tuck in to a wax paper lined cookie tin. Allow to age a few days, at least and up to several weeks. They will only get better with time. The baked cookies can also be frozen, but best to let them age at room temperature for a few days before freezing.

    Decorate your cookies for Christmas with quartered red or green glace cherries, red or green sprinkles or a walnut piece or blanched, slivered almond.

    You can use salted or unsalted butter. If using unsalted butter, you can add about 1/8 tsp. of salt with the flour if you'd like.

    Both the cut, but unbaked cookies and the baked cookies freeze well.

    Remember that shortbread cookies get better with age, so make them ahead and if you can resist, fill up a cookie tin and let them sit for a week or more before Christmas eating.

    Dad's Christmas Shortbread Cookies

    Traditional Christmas shortbread cookies. **Important - Shortbread cookies need to age to develop flavour. Make them ahead and store in an airtight cookie tin for at least 1 week or up to a month.
    Author: Jennifer
    5 stars from 10 ratings
    Print it Pin it + Collection Go to Collections Share by Email
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Snack
    Servings 30 cookies

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup butter,, at room temperature (you can use salted or unsalted butter. If using unsalted butter, you can add 1/8 tsp. fine salt with the flour if you like, but you don't need to)
    • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
    • 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
    • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
    Prevent screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light. Stir in the cornstarch and sugar. Gradually add the flour mixing until a soft dough forms. (Dad mixes his by hand and shared that sometimes you have to ditch the spoon and just get your hands in there to form the dough). Form dough in to a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to chill.
    • On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough 1/4-inch thick. Take care to ensure that your dough is rolled as evenly as possible, so that cookies cook evenly. Using a cookie cutter, cut shapes and place on to an un-greased baking sheet. You can re-roll your scraps and cut more, as well. Once your cookies are cut, top with quartered glace cherries, sprinkles or nuts. Place cookie sheet with cookies in to the freezer for 10-15 minutes. (You can also freeze the cut dough in freezer bags once solid on the cookie sheet for up to 2 weeks and bake later or as needed.)
    • Preheat oven to 275°F with rack in centre of oven. Bake for about 30 minutes for cookies that have been lightly chilled. If cooking from frozen, they may take up to 45 minutes. Cookies should be firm but shouldn't brown at all, even around the edges. They really just dry as they cook.
    • Cool on racks then transfer to cookie tin or freeze. These cookies keep well and get better with age.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 16mg | Sodium: 54mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.

    Course Snack
    Cuisine American
    Never miss a new recipe!SIGN UP for email updates!
    PinShareTweetShares2.4k

    Meet the Author:
    Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!

    I love to share the classic recipes that I have enjoyed for years, as well as newer discoveries, that have become fast favourites.
    More about me here ...


    Seasons and Suppers is honoured to have been featured on these great sites ...

    graphic showing sites Seasons and Suppers has been featured on

     

    Tried this Recipe?
    You can leave a Recipe Rating by simply clicking on the stars in the Recipe Card above or if you like, you can leave a Comment and Rating in the comment section below! It's always helpful for other cooks to hear feedback on a recipe from someone who has tried it!

    You don't need to use your full name or even your real name when leaving a comment. You just need to be a real person :) Your email address will never be publicly displayed or shared.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christina says

      December 22, 2019 at 10:32 am

      5 stars
      I’ve been using this recipe for the past two years or so now and it is always a HIT! These cookies turn out amazing and are delicious! Thanks to you and your father for a wonderful recipe :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 22, 2019 at 10:37 am

        So happy to hear, Christina! I will definitely pass this on to my Dad, who is still making shortbread cookies :) Thanks so much!

        Reply
    2. Felicia says

      December 17, 2019 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      My first time making them and they are delicious! After they are baked and cooled, I couldn't help myself to a few. I look forward to them when they are aged. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 17, 2019 at 6:59 pm

        Glad to hear, Felicia :) They will just get better with age! Thanks.

        Reply
    3. Cindy says

      November 14, 2019 at 1:09 pm

      Last year I tried something different...One batch I pushed a milk chocolate chip into the center before baking, another batch I cut into rectangles, scored the top with a fork, next day I dipped half the cookie in tempered milk chocolate....they were so yummy and held up wonderfully in the cookie tin

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        November 14, 2019 at 7:01 pm

        Sounds delicious, Cindy! So glad you are enjoying them :)

        Reply
    4. Stasi Redding says

      January 12, 2019 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Jennifer! I just want to say, your Dad knows what he is doing when it comes to these shortbread cookies!!! After no less than a dozen different shortbread recipes, with some as epic failures, I was ready to pull my hair out (I'm not a quitter so that wouldn't work!) when I came upon your blog and shared your Dad's recipe. I followed the recipe to a Tee, and yes, I purchased unbleached drill cloth to make my own pastry cloth to roll out the dough, and did the double chilling. These cookies came out flawless, and after a couple of days to cure were ready for decorating with Royal icing. Thank you so much!! My looking and botched batches are done!!!! Please tell your Dad thank you!!! This recipe is worth every star!!!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 13, 2019 at 9:02 am

        So glad to hear, Stasi and I will definitely pass this along to my Dad :) Thanks!

        Reply
    5. Christina Bee says

      January 03, 2019 at 10:52 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks to you and your dad for sharing this recipe! These are the best shortbread cookies I’ve ever had and during the holidays I made these and they were a hit! Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        January 04, 2019 at 9:16 am

        So glad you enjoyed them Christina! I will pass it along to my Dad :) Thanks!

        Reply
    6. Kitty says

      December 17, 2018 at 11:37 pm

      Love this recipe. Have already made 2 batches. It's going to be my go to recipe for short bread cookies from now on. Thanks to your dad and you for sharing!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 18, 2018 at 7:44 am

        So glad to hear, Kitty! My Dad is still baking cookies, so I will be sure to let him know :) Thanks!

        Reply
    7. Tracy says

      December 15, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      This dough is amazing, super moist and soft!

      Reply
    8. Sasha says

      October 27, 2018 at 7:28 pm

      5 stars
      275° of Celsius or Fahrenheit?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        October 27, 2018 at 7:36 pm

        Hi Sasha, Sorry the F disappeared somewhere. It should be Fahrenheit. It's back now :) Thanks!

        Reply
    9. Alice says

      May 11, 2018 at 9:20 am

      What a wonderful recipe and post! I went out and bought me a pastry cloth and cover for my rolling pin I didn't know they existed but so glad to have come across your recipe. I will definitely be making these lovely looking shortbreads as the weather is cooling down here in Australia I don't know if they will be safe for a whole week though somehow my family can sniff out yummy treats no matter where I hide them!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        May 11, 2018 at 10:00 am

        Thanks so much, Alice and enjoy the shortbread (Remember to let the "age". They get even better the longer they sit!)

        Reply
        • Keisha says

          December 12, 2018 at 2:16 am

          5 stars
          Will they be ok in taste in 3 days

          Reply
          • Jennifer says

            December 12, 2018 at 5:17 pm

            Hi Keisha, These cookies taste a little better with each day that passes. In 3 days, they will taste better than today. Not at their absolute best, but certainly fine.

            Reply
    10. Debbie says

      December 02, 2017 at 6:28 pm

      Beautiful memories to have.I want to try these. I was wondering if the white sugar is icing sugar or granulated sugar?

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 02, 2017 at 6:49 pm

        Hi Debbie and yes! And my Dad is still baking cookies, too :) The sugar is white granulated. I have added the "granulated" to the recipe to clarify as well. Thanks!

        Reply
    11. Theresa says

      December 11, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      I'm going to try these tonight! They look amazing! Just like my grandma used to make :)

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        December 11, 2014 at 7:09 pm

        Enjoy, Theresa! Just remember that shortbread like to "age" a bit, so if you can wait, put them in a tin for a week or so for best flavour.

        Reply
    12. teresa says

      March 23, 2014 at 6:39 pm

      these cookies look exacly like the ones my mom made at Christmas time. she is no longer with us,and I never got her recipe, so I am hoping these might just be them will let you know. also what is this cloth for the rolling pin called and where would.. I get one

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        March 23, 2014 at 7:56 pm

        Hi Teresa. I hope these cookies might be it! You can get the cloth at Amazon. Just search "rolling pin cover and cloth". They are inexpensive, often less than $10.

        Reply
    13. Gail Richard says

      December 23, 2013 at 6:47 pm

      Jennifer, what a beautiful memory you have created - it would be great to scrapbook. I'm just wondering about the cloth cover for the rolling pin and the one to roll on. What kind of cloth is it? Where do you get it? Shortbreads are my all time favorite cookies. As a matter of fact our dough is in the fridge chilling as we speak. I was looking for different ways to decorate them when I cam across your dad's recipe. Thanks so much for sharing and thank him for letting us see the special hands of a dad. (Mine is in a nursing home and today he gave me alittle hand painted box he made with his hands.) <3

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 23, 2013 at 6:55 pm

        Thank you so much, Gail and what a wonderful gift from your Dad! As for the cloth covered rolling pin, that's my Mom's (and Dad's too, I guess :) If you google, you'll find lots of them. Here's one on amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/Regency-Pastry-Cloth-Rolling-Cover/dp/B000I1YFHK As I said in my post, my Mom swears by them and honestly, they looked to work pretty well.

        Enjoy your shortbread and a very Merry Christmas to you and your family.

        Reply
    14. Amie says

      December 22, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      Question, I tried making these tonight, and the dough wouldn't stay firm enough to roll. I put half back I'm the fridge, and the other half are in the oven now (I just made balls and flattened) Did I do something wrong?

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 22, 2013 at 8:13 pm

        Hi Amie. Hard to say. Could be too little flour (depends how you measure) or your butter was too soft. Try popping the rest of the dough in the freezer for a bit, then rolling out sprinkling well with flour.

        Reply
    15. Kelly says

      December 20, 2013 at 7:22 pm

      I am going to try this recipe tonight. Your Dad is quite a tidy baker, thanks to both of you for the post!

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 20, 2013 at 7:58 pm

        Thanks Kelly and yes, I was impressed by how neat my Dad's baking is. I clearly didn't inherit that from him. I'm a totally messy baker :) Enjoy the cookies.

        Reply
        • Kelly says

          December 21, 2013 at 2:17 pm

          Deeeelicious! I've never made them before so I am quite happy, even if mine are much uglier than your Dad's lovely cookies. I made buttercream frosting and now I don't want to share! Thanks to you & your Dad!

          Reply
    16. Mark Stevens says

      December 16, 2013 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe reminds me of my grandmother and how she made them every year. I will be surprising everyone with these beauties this year and can ' t wait to see the reaction lol

      Merry Christmas to you and your family and thanks for the post .

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 16, 2013 at 7:11 pm

        Thanks so much, Mark. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to you, as well!

        Reply
    17. Mary says

      December 14, 2013 at 3:07 pm

      It's a cold and snowy day here...making these this afternoon with my lil girl!

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 14, 2013 at 3:31 pm

        What a great way to spend a snowy afternoon. Enjoy the cookies and your special time making them :)

        Reply
    18. [email protected] says

      December 10, 2013 at 11:01 am

      What a warm post...the cookies look amazing :) ela

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 10, 2013 at 11:31 am

        Thanks so much, Ela. They were delicious!

        Reply
    19. Sophie says

      December 09, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Such a special post to see one of your family's traditions! Your dad is an excellent baker and has skilled hands. The cookies are just gorgeous! I'm sure I could not make them as pretty as his. My mother always had a cloth cover for her rolling pin, too, and the cloth surface for rolling out cookies or pie crusts. I liked the gentle texture it left on tops of cookies at Christmastime. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 09, 2013 at 11:47 am

        Thanks Sophie. My Dad turned out to be a natural. I don't think I would do as well baking while someone hovered with a camera documenting my every move. It was fun to capture and share it. They are yummy little cookies :)

        Reply
    20. Fatima says

      December 08, 2013 at 4:10 am

      hi, quick question, can I use cornflour instead of corn starch? Are they the same?

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 08, 2013 at 9:43 am

        Hi. Yes cornstarch and corn flour are the same.

        Reply
    21. Yelle says

      December 06, 2013 at 8:58 am

      his cookies look absolutely perfect!

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 06, 2013 at 10:24 am

        Thanks so much, Yelle.

        Reply
    22. Tesei says

      December 06, 2013 at 6:58 am

      These cookies look yummy! I love the idea of a post with your daddy as the chef, so cute & cool! I hope I get my daddy to pose for me once, first I must teach him how to cook ;)!!

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 06, 2013 at 10:24 am

        Thanks Tesei. You could do a teaching dad to cook post :)

        Reply
        • Tesei says

          December 07, 2013 at 11:24 am

          Great idea!!!!

          Reply
    23. Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says

      December 06, 2013 at 3:04 am

      Awww, I love this post! And such a great recipe for the holidays!

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 06, 2013 at 5:01 am

        Thanks, Chung-Ah (and for sampling before the holidays ;)

        Reply
    24. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

      December 05, 2013 at 9:43 pm

      Beautiful shortbread and so festive for the holidays! P.S. I was at my grandma's for Thanksgiving last week, and she swears by the cloth covered rolling pin and rolling sheet too. Maybe she is on to something! :)

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 06, 2013 at 5:01 am

        Thanks Laura. Yes, I'm thinking I should look for one of those cloth covered pins!

        Reply
    25. Melanie says

      December 05, 2013 at 7:38 pm

      What beautiful cookies! Wish I could have one right now.

      Reply
      • Jennifer M says

        December 05, 2013 at 7:40 pm

        Thanks Melanie. Would be great to be able to share virtually :)

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Add a Comment, Question or Review Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    “One of the best Food Blogs in Canada.” - National Post

    Hi! I'm Jennifer. Are you are looking for simple, seasonal and delicious everyday recipes? Do you love classic, homey, comforting food, but with a modern, real food update? Good! Me, too!

    Learn more about me here →

    Trending Recipes

    • Simply Perfect 2-Banana Banana Bread
    • Mango Salad with Zesty Lime Vinaigrette
    • Extra Creamy Rice Pudding
    • Glazed Lemon Pound Cake Loaf
    • 15 Minute Spicy Udon Stir Fry
    • Authentic Canadian Poutine Recipe

    Spring Recipe Collections

    • Rhubarb Recipes
    • Celebrating Citrus
    • Maple Recipes
    • Spring Favourites

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Explore

    • About
    • My Amazon Shop
    • YouTube Channel
    • My Web Stories
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for free email updates of new posts and seasonal favourites from the recipe archives. It's sent just once a week and your email address is never shared or sold.

    Contact

    • Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
    This site uses Cookies to provide the best user experience. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

    Copyright © 2022 Seasons and Suppers. All Rights Reserved.