Imagine biting into a perfectly crisp, buttery shortbread cookie that crumbles delicately on your tongue, punctuated by rich, melting chocolate chunks that send your taste buds into pure bliss! These Scottish-inspired shortbread cookies aren't just another sweet treat - they're a gourmet experience that transforms the classic shortbread into an irresistible chocolate lover's dream. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pastry chef, this recipe promises to deliver bakery-quality cookies right from your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Scottish
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped chocolate (dark or milk)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and powdered sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour and salt, mixing on low speed until a soft, crumbly dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the chopped chocolate pieces, distributing them evenly throughout the dough.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and roll out to approximately 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut the dough into desired shapes, typically 2-3 inch rounds or squares.
- Place the cut cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking to help maintain their shape.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain pale.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Use room temperature butter for the smoothest, creamiest dough consistency.
- Don't overwork the dough - mix just until ingredients are combined to keep cookies tender.
- Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent spreading and maintains the cookie's shape.
- Choose high-quality chocolate for the best flavor - dark or milk chocolate both work wonderfully.
- Use a sharp cookie cutter for clean, professional-looking edges.
- Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup.
- For extra elegance, consider drizzling melted chocolate over cooled cookies or dusting with powdered sugar.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 150kcal
Carbohydrates: 14g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 26mg
