15 Shortbread Cookie Recipes You’ll Adore

If buttery, crisp cookies make your heart flutter, you’re in exactly the right place. Shortbread is simple, reliable, and endlessly adaptable, which means you can tailor every batch to your mood.

From bright citrus notes to rich chocolate dips, these recipes give you delicious variety without fuss. Grab your mixer, preheat the oven, and let’s bake cookies you’ll crave again and again.

1. Classic Butter Shortbread

Buttery shortbread is the cookie you trust when you want pure comfort. You get a delicate crumb, a whisper of vanilla, and that satisfying snap with every bite.

Keep it simple or use it as your canvas for flavors you love.

Chill the dough so the edges bake clean and the texture stays tender. Score the top before baking to prevent surface cracking.

Bake until the edges turn just golden, then cool completely for maximum crispness.

Dust with a little sugar if you like sparkle. Your tea or coffee will thank you.

2. Lemon Shortbread

Lemon shortbread brings sunshine to your cookie jar. You get citrus perfume from fresh zest and just enough lemon juice to brighten the buttery base.

The result feels crisp, tender, and lively without being sour.

Rub zest into sugar to release aromatic oils before creaming. Chill well so the shapes hold, then bake until edges are barely golden.

Finish with a light lemon glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Serve alongside tea for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up. These cookies taste like a warm day, even in winter.

3. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread

When you want indulgence, dip buttery shortbread into melted chocolate. Dark or milk chocolate both work, so follow your cravings.

A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds contrast and keeps every bite exciting.

Temper or gently melt chocolate for a smooth shine. Dip cooled cookies and lay them on parchment to set.

You can add crushed nuts, cacao nibs, or toasted coconut while the chocolate is tacky.

These look bakery-fancy with almost no effort. Serve after dinner and watch them disappear fast.

4. Almond Shortbread

Almond shortbread adds cozy nuttiness to the classic cookie. Ground almonds or almond flour blends with butter for tender texture and gentle flavor.

A hint of almond extract boosts aroma without overpowering.

Toast almonds lightly before grinding for deeper flavor. Mix just until combined to avoid toughness.

Shape as rounds or press into a pan and cut into wedges for a rustic look.

Dust with powdered sugar or press sliced almonds on top before baking. Pair with espresso or black tea for a satisfying snack that feels special yet effortless.

5. Lavender Shortbread

Lavender shortbread is floral, fragrant, and surprisingly soothing. A small amount of culinary lavender perfumes the dough without tasting soapy.

The butter anchors those floral notes, giving you balanced sweetness.

Grind lavender with sugar to distribute flavor evenly. Start small and adjust to taste, because lavender can overwhelm.

Bake until pale gold and let the cookies rest so the aroma settles.

Serve with Earl Grey or chamomile for a calming treat. If you love delicate flavors, this will become a quiet favorite.

6. Maple Shortbread

Maple shortbread tastes like sweater weather in cookie form. Pure maple syrup adds caramel notes and a gentle sweetness you can feel.

The texture stays crisp at the edges and buttery inside.

Replace part of the sugar with dark maple syrup and adjust flour to maintain structure. Chill well because extra moisture needs time to firm up.

For flair, add a maple glaze and a pinch of flaky salt.

These are lovely with black coffee or hot cider. You get comfort in every bite without added fuss.

7. Orange and Poppy Seed Shortbread

Orange and poppy seed shortbread brings zesty sparkle and gentle crunch. Fresh zest perfumes the dough while poppy seeds add nutty texture.

The balance of butter, citrus, and tiny pops of seed makes each bite playful.

Cream zest with sugar to release fragrant oils. Fold in poppy seeds evenly so the cookies bake speckled and pretty.

Bake just until edges blush golden, then cool for crispness.

Finish with a thin orange glaze or leave them plain. Either way, you get a cookie that tastes bright and joyful.

8. Chocolate Chip Shortbread

Chocolate chip shortbread is the buttery cousin to your favorite chip cookie. The dough bakes tender and crisp while chocolate pools into melty pockets.

It is simple, nostalgic, and fully satisfying.

Use finely chopped chocolate or mini chips for even distribution. A pinch of flaky salt on top adds contrast.

Chill the log, slice neat rounds, and bake until edges are set.

These keep beautifully in a tin, so you can stash a few for later. Share them, or do not.

Your call.

9. Caramelized Brown Sugar Shortbread

Brown sugar shortbread delivers deeper caramel notes and a softer crumb. The molasses in the sugar brings warmth that plays perfectly with butter.

Each bite tastes cozy, like toffee and toast.

Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy to dissolve crystals. Add a pinch of baking powder if you want slightly lighter texture.

Bake low and slow so sugars caramelize without burning.

A touch of vanilla or bourbon enhances the flavor. Serve alongside ice cream for contrast, or enjoy with tea for everyday comfort.

10. Pistachio Shortbread

Pistachio shortbread brings a beautiful nutty depth and a hint of color. Chopped pistachios fold into buttery dough, giving crunch in every bite.

The flavor feels elegant while staying wonderfully simple.

Toast pistachios for maximum aroma, then cool before mixing. Use a sharp knife to slice clean rounds if making a log.

For extra flair, press more nuts on top before baking.

A drizzle of white chocolate contrasts the green beautifully. Serve on a cheese board or with tea, and enjoy the sweet-savory vibe.

11. Coconut Shortbread

Coconut shortbread delivers tropical charm without losing buttery soul. Shredded coconut bakes into toasty, crisp edges that smell amazing.

The crumb stays tender, with flecks of coconut throughout.

Use unsweetened shredded coconut to control sweetness. Pulse it briefly in a processor for finer texture.

Chill well so the fat sets and the cookies hold shape in the oven.

A dip in dark chocolate adds drama and balance. Pair with pineapple or mango sorbet for a sunny dessert that tastes like vacation.

12. Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread

Raspberry thumbprints are shortbread with a jewel center. The buttery base stays sturdy while jam bubbles into a bright, tangy pool.

Every bite gives you crisp edges and jammy sweetness.

Chill dough, roll into balls, and press gentle wells with your thumb. Fill with seedless raspberry jam and bake until set.

Add more jam after baking if the centers settle.

Finish with powdered sugar for a bakery look. They store well, making them perfect for gifting, holidays, or spontaneous afternoon treats.

13. Rosemary Shortbread

Rosemary shortbread walks the line between sweet and savory. Fresh chopped rosemary perfumes the dough with piney brightness.

Butter softens the herbal edge so the cookie still feels dessert-like.

Strip leaves from the stems and chop very fine. Add a little lemon zest if you want extra lift.

Sprinkle flaky salt on top before baking for contrast and crunch.

These are fantastic with cheese boards or cocktails. You will love how versatile they are, from afternoon snacks to dinner party nibbles.

14. Espresso Shortbread

Espresso shortbread brings bold coffee flavor to a buttery base. Finely ground espresso or instant espresso powder blends right into the dough.

The aroma is irresistible, especially fresh from the oven.

Use high-quality espresso powder for clean flavor. Add a touch of vanilla or cardamom for nuance.

Bake just until edges set to avoid bitterness from overbrowning.

Dip in dark chocolate or drizzle a thin coffee glaze. These pair beautifully with your morning brew or a late-night pick-me-up.

15. Chili and Lime Shortbread

Chili and lime shortbread hits sweet, spicy, and zesty all at once. Lime zest brightens the dough while chili adds gentle heat.

Butter ties it all together so the flavor never feels harsh.

Use a pinch of chili powder or crushed flakes, tasting as you go. Rub zest into sugar for maximum citrus oil release.

Bake until lightly golden, then finish with a lime sugar dust.

These are unexpected and totally fun. Serve with margaritas or icy lemonade, and watch the plate clear quickly.