Whipped shortbread cookies are light as air with a delicious buttery flavor. They melt in your mouth because they’re so soft, and only require a few simple ingredients. Learn all the tricks for making this classic holiday cookie recipe. 
Shortbread is such a classic holiday recipe. Buttery, delicious, and not too sweet – it’s the kind of classic that reminds you of your grandmother. What I especially love about whipped shortbread cookies is that they’re extra soft and melt in your mouth. So I figured it was time to share my recipe for whipped shortbread.
What’s the difference between whipped shortbread & regular shortbread??? Good question.
Regular shortbread & whipped shortbread both use the same basic ingredients. However, when making whipped shortbread you beat the ingredients together for much longer – aka whipping. This adds more air to the batter, which creates a shortbread that’s lighter and more delicate in texture.
So unlike regular shortbread cookies that can sometimes be a little dense – whipped shortbread is lighter, fluffier, and has more of that melt-in-your-mouth quality. 
Tips for Making Whipped Shortbread
Making these whipped shortbread cookies isn’t overly difficult – but the batter is definitely delicate. Which means that you have to be careful otherwise the cookies can get tough or just end up falling apart. So with keeping that in mind, here’s my tips:
- Use real butter. The main flavor in shortbread is butter – so margarine doesn’t really cut it.
- The butter should be softened, but not melted. If the butter has melted, the cookies can spread and burn on the edges.
- Make sure to really whip the ingredients – beat for at least 5 minutes. If you don’t beat for long enough, the cookies won’t be light as air.
- Making shortbread with cornstarch is necessary for the perfect light, delicate texture.
- After multiple experiments & recipe tests, I found baking shortbread at 300F gave the best results. If the oven is too high, the edges are likely to over brown/burn and the cookies can get dry. The lower temperature also helps to give that extra soft texture.
- Lightly dust your hands with cornstarch before forming the cookies into balls.
- You can use a cookie press if you like, but I find this adds an extra level of complexity, and potential for your cookies to fall apart.
- After forming the dough into balls, I like to gently press the tops down with the tines of a fork and then sprinkle on a few sprinkles.
- How long does shortbread bake for???? Longer than most cookies. If you form your cookies into balls about 1 tablespoon in size, they’ll take about 15 minutes to bake.
- If the cookies spread too thin, that likely means there wasn’t enough flour or the butter started to melt. To fix this, pop the dough balls into the fridge for 15-30 minutes before baking.
- For best results, only bake 1 cookie sheet at a time on the middle rack of your oven. If you bake 2 at a time with one on a lower rack and the other on a higher rack, the one at the bottom can get burnt on the bottom.
These whipped shortbread cookies make for such a delicious, classic holiday favorite. They turn out light as air with such a delicious buttery, vanilla flavor. Adding a few sprinkles makes them extra pretty – and they’re the perfect addition to your holiday baking.
Make Ahead Tips:
To freeze the dough, form the cookies into balls first then place on a baking sheet and freeze. Once the dough is firm, transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, and add 2-4 minutes onto the baking time.
To freeze baked cookies, after baking cool the cookies completely. Freeze in an airtight container. When ready thaw, place the cookies on a cookie sheet or plate lined with paper towel and thaw in the fridge.
Looking for more holiday cookie recipes? Try these Holiday Sprinkle Cookies, Toffee Icebox Cookies, or Extra Soft Sugar Cookies
Whipped Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or baking mats.
- In a large bowl beat the butter and powdered sugar until very fluffy and aerated (at least 5 minutes.
- Mix in the flour, cornstarch, salt and vanilla extract.
- Dust your hands with cornstarch, then form the dough into balls about 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon in size.
- Place on the lined cookie sheets and press down the top of each cookie with the tines of a fork dipped in cornstarch (this prevents sticking). Add a few sprinkles to the top of each cookie.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until the tops look set.
To sift or not sift the flour????
I recommend sifting the flour if it’s lumpy. If you’re unsure, feel free to sift it just in case
Can I refrigerate the dough before use?
Yes. I’d recommend forming them into balls and placing on a plate or cookie sheet. Then covering them. You can bake the cookies straight from the fridge.
I made these for my mom and I and we both really enjoyed them. We were looking for a nice homemade alternative to “Milano Cookies” and these are like a better version of them! I dipped them in some tempered chocolate and they were delicious.
OH my goodness!!! These are shortbread heaven!!!
I usually make a traditional sort of shortbread and make squares to fill with sweet mincemeat at Christmas. But I wanted something light and chewy and fluffy all at the same time. These did not disappoint at all!!! I am never going back to my old recipe ever again. This is now the recipe for me. This is my go-to shortbread cookie recipe from now on.
Everyone loves these and I’ve already got requests from four people to make them again. I’ll be busy this week making them in time for Christmas hampers and visitors.
Amazing recipe, if you have never tried whipped shortbread (like I hadn’t) then you have got to try these.
Thank you so much I Lovd these cookies all year long. Now I can makd them n not byd them anymore. Thanks a gain n God blessed u all.
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Wanda!
Hi
Just wondering if you can use salted butter?
That would be fine. Just omit the salt from the recipe
I love shortbread cookies and this recipe is delicious. I followed your directions to the letter, and I’m not a novice baker. My only question is, why mine came out a bit flatter than the ones pictured?
Regardless, they’re wonderful. ❤️
I am capable of leaving a smoking crater in the place of any oven when attempting to bake.
These were me-proof and fabulously delicious. Thanks, they’ll be a regular for me now.
Thank you so much Carrie! Your description of your baking skills had me laughing
Does the butter have to be room temp?
I definitely recommend it, otherwise it will take much longer to whip the butter.
HaHaHa! Love your comment! Glad you had cookie success! Enjoy!
Tasteless. I have made whipped shortbread for years and thought I would try a different recipe. The main difference in mine recipe is using salted butter instead of unsalted butter. Going back to my tried and true stand-by.
Well aren’t you a delightful ray of sunshine.
This recipe even rocked with vegan butter for my lacto-allergic friends.
*Slow clap*
Can you use cookie cutters with this recipe?
I wouldn’t recommend it. I don’t think the dough would hold together.
This didn’t taste good at all it was not melt in your mouth I have been making for a while I don’t know why people give it a good rating when it is terrible.