Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Julia's Cuisine

From Scratch Cooking Made Easy

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers, Dips & Drinks
    • Breads, Rolls, Muffins & Loaf Cakes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Main Courses
      • Beef & Pork
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Fish & Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
      • Vegeterian
    • Salads & Sides
    • Soups & Sauces
    • Sweets
  • Quick Dinners
  • About
  • Privacy Policy

November 13, 2021 By Julia Pinney 15 Comments

Whipped Shortbread

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Whipped Shortbread is an absolute Christmas classic. These are made using a few basic baking staples and they deliver big on flavour. And what could be better than the light buttery flavour of whipped shortbread. Christmas all wrapped up.

close up of the whipped shortbread
Whipped Shortbread

The holiday season is literally just around the corner. And I know, many of you are already on the hunt for great cookie recipes. In the past years, cookies like my Newfoundland Snowballs, my Pecan Oatmeal Cookies and my Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread Cookies have all been a huge hit here at Julia’s Cuisine.

And can I just say that these cookies taste just like the holidays. I’ve made them so many times over the years and each time they taste like Christmas in a cookie.

display of whipped shortbraed with coffee
Whipped Shortbread

Here’s What We Need To Make The Whipped Shortbread

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 ½ cups plain flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cherries

REMEMBER, The full recipe and instructions can be found at the end of the post in the recipe card.


close up of the whipped shortbread
Whipped Shortbread

How To Make The shortbread Cookies

  • Add butter and powdered sugar to a large bowl – mix on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 – 7 minutes. You want it to be really light and fluffy. This will ensure a really light and melt in your mouth cookie. Whisk in the vanilla until just combined.
  • Add dry ingredients – mix in the flour, cornstarch and salt. Mix until you have a cookie dough texture, just about 1 – 2 minutes.

  • Scoop cookie dough and form balls – using a tablespoon, scoop out cookie dough and roll into balls. NOTE, this dough is sticky so it will be easier if you flour your hands for this process.
  • Place 1/2 cherry on the top – gently but firmly press 1/2 of a cherry into the center of the cookie ball.

BAKING TIP – If you have a very warm kitchen or you have let the dough sit out for a really long time, chill it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before baking. This will ensure they keep keep their shape while baking and don’t spread out too much.


Baking The Cookies

  • Line baking tray with parchment paper – I find parchment paper gives better results in baking. Especially if you use dark baking trays like shown below.
  • Preheat oven – these cookies require a lower baking temperature. These were baked at 300 degrees f. A higher temperature will brown the cookies and they will spread out more. So ensure that your oven is set at the correct temperature.
  • Bake cookies– bake the cookies for about 15 minutes or until they are cooked through and set on top.
  • Allow cookies to cool – place the baking tray on top of a cooling rack and allow the cookies to cool completely before removing from the tray. I usually allow 10 minutes before taking them off the baking rack.
freshly baked whipped shortbread cookies
Whipped Shortbread

Tips For Getting The Cookies Just Right

  • Mix butter and sugar until really fluffy – this is so important to ensure that very light and melt in your mouth texture. The batter will increase in volume and become very light in colour. This will take between 5 – 7 minutes. Important!
  • Bake at lower oven temperature – most cookies are baked at 350 degrees f/180 degrees c. These cookies are baked much lower to ensure the cookie dough doesn’t spread too much and they don’t brown. Make sure to bake them at the lower temperature of 300 degrees f.
  • Dust your hand to roll the dough – this cookie dough is really sticky. Lightly dust your hands in flour to make the rolling much easier.
whipped shortbread on a cooling rack with coffee
Whipped Shortbread

How to Store The cookies

  • On the counter – these will keep in an airtight container for about 3 days on the counter at room temperature.
  • In the fridge – store in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. For best results, bring to room temperature before serving.
  • In the freezer – once cooled completely, you can freeze these cookies. Place the cooled cookies in a freezer proof container. Place parchment paper between the layers and freeze up to two months. Allow to defrost at room temperature before serving.
whipped shortbread with christmas garland
Whipped Shortbread

Are There Any Substitutions I Can Make To These Cookies

These cookies are perfect just as they are. I don’t recommend changing any of the ingredients in the cookie. I’ve played around with this recipe for years and I consider this version to be perfect. They are light and buttery and they melt in your mouth.

You can, however, substitute the topping

Substitute sprinkles for cherries – press the top of the cookie gently with a fork and then add a few sprinkles. Bake according to recipe below.

whipepd shortbread with a cup of coffee
Whipped Shortbread
Partridgeberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
close up of the dulce de leche thumbprint cookies
Dulce de Leche Thumbprint Cookies
Chocolate Drizzled Shortbread

Get the recipe!


close up of the whipped shortbread
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Whipped Shortbread

Whipped Shortbread is an absolute Christmas classic It used the basics, butter, sugar and flour with a cherry on top! These cookies are melt in your mouth and light as air.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time35 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: North American
Keyword: baking, christmas, cookies, holiday cookies
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 106kcal
Author: Julia Pinney

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter unsalted and at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups plain flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 Maraschino cherries cut into halves
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 300 degrees F and line a large baking tray. Set aside.
  • Combine flour, cornstarch and salt.
  • Combine the butter and powdered sugar in the bowl of your electric mixer. Mix on high speed for 5 – 7 minutes until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and whisk just until combined.
  • Add the rest of the dry ingredients and mix until it forms a cookie dough, about 1 – 2 minutes. The dough will be sticky.
  • Using a tablespoon, spoon out mounds of the cookie dough. Roll each mound into a ball . Gently press a cherry piece in the middle. Place on a parchment paper lined baking tray.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes or until they have baked through and look set. Remove from oven and place the baking tray on a cooling rack. Remove from tray when completely cooled.

Notes

  1. Make sure to whip the butter and sugar until really light and fluffy.  This is what will ensure a light and melt in your mouth cookie.
  2. This dough will be sticky.  I recommend dusting your hands in flour to roll the cookies into little balls.
  3. If you don’t like the cherries, alternatively you can press with a fork and add sprinkles on top.
Nutrition Facts
Whipped Shortbread
Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
Calories 106 Calories from Fat 72
% Daily Value*
Fat 8g12%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 20mg7%
Sodium 68mg3%
Potassium 11mg0%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 237IU5%
Calcium 5mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Thanks For Stopping By & Hope To See You Soon!

Share the Love

  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Other Recipes You'll Enjoy

Filed Under: Cookies, Recipes, Sweets Tagged With: christmas cookies, holiday cookies, shortbread

Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter and New Recipes!

Enter your email address to subscribe Julia's Cuisine and receive notifications of new posts by email as well as a weekly Newsletter!

Previous Post: « 20 + Easy Weeknight Stir Fry Recipes
Next Post: Simmered Pork Tenderloin Pot Roast »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bernice says

    December 1, 2021 at 6:16 am

    5 stars
    Whipped shortbread are a ‘must’ bake at Christmas time and your recipe looks perfect!

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 1, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      Thanks Bernice. I love all Christmas cookies, but this recipe is one of my favourites for sure.

      Reply
  2. Vanessa says

    December 1, 2021 at 6:45 am

    5 stars
    Yum! These are absolutely delicious with a cup of tea and the perfect addition to a Christmas cookie platter. Love the pop of red from the cherry on the shortbread too!

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 1, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      Thanks so much Vanessa. The cherries really do give them that festive look!

      Reply
  3. Colleen says

    December 1, 2021 at 8:42 pm

    5 stars
    Whipped shortbread is my favourite. Your cookies look perfect and the “cherry on top” is a festive touch.

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 2, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      Thanks Colleen,they really are such a Christmas traditional cookie.

      Reply
  4. Sadia Malik says

    December 4, 2021 at 7:18 am

    Love the red and white contrast. These are perfect with tea time snack.

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 7, 2021 at 7:19 am

      Thanks Sadia. Yes, great with a cup of tea.

      Reply
  5. Terri says

    December 6, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    5 stars
    I agree- they taste just like Christmas! Whipped shortbread are the best!!!

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 7, 2021 at 7:19 am

      Thanks Terri, they really are a great Christmas treat.

      Reply
  6. Vijitha says

    December 13, 2021 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    These cookies are a family fav at our place! Yours look perfect! Great for xmas gifting

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 13, 2021 at 4:53 pm

      Thanks Vijitha, we love them too. Yes, they are perfect of gift giving for sure.

      Reply
  7. DeeDee F says

    December 20, 2021 at 10:57 pm

    These didn’t work for me. Even after refrigerating the dough and baking at 300, they spread. I weigh my ingredients (flour 125g/cup so 190ishg) so wondering if perhaps that’s why? Do you weigh or measure? Just asking in case I try any of your other recipes.

    Reply
    • Julia Pinney says

      December 21, 2021 at 9:18 am

      Hi DeeDee, sorry you cookies didn’t work. I weigh my ingredients and have the converter in the recipe card. I’ve been making this exact recipe for a long time now, about 10 years and they always work. Well, one time my oven temperature was running too hot because the thermostat was off. That time they spread fast. If you’ve done everything as the recipe states and your oven runs at the correct temperature, I can’t think of what went wrong.

      Reply
  8. DeeDee F says

    December 21, 2021 at 10:41 am

    Thanks for the speedy reply. I will definitely put an oven thermometer on my Christmas wish list!

    Reply

Leave a Reply 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

Get to know me

Hi, I'm Julia! Making from scratch meals easy and feeding a family every day! Grab a cup, take a seat and see what's cooking! Read More…

Get social

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Sign Up For The Weekly Newsletter!

Copyright © 2022 · Divine theme by Restored 316