Baked Goods Dessert Seasonal-Holiday

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

Rich and buttery in flavor, yet soft and melty in texture, these are the best whipped shortbread cookies. Only five ingredients. Perfect for any holiday or occasion.

A great Eggless dessert option

The best whipped shortbread cookies are a variety of fresh cookie that melts in your mouth and gently coats your tongue with a touch of sweetness. They are buttery, light and if you want, can have a tiny bit of crunch from the sprinkles or granulated sugar; it offers a delicate balance between needing a dense cookie but still soft and easy in your mouth. It’s like going to the gym with all the motivation only to realize you want nothing to do with working hard.

We all know and love the famous shortbread cookies that come in those festive red tins all the way from Scotland. If you can imagine it, these cookies are better. Furthermore, this recipe for the best whipped shortbread cookies are naturally egg free and nut free. A perfect eggless dessert option to share with many people.

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

Jazz them up!

Whipped shortbread cookies are traditionally made over winter holidays, as a staple in the Christmas cookie world. However, you can enjoy these cookies in so many ways, for so many days. Festive nonpareils don’t only come in red and green! Add some rainbow colors or pastels for a summer vibe or spring time treat!

Additionally, you could drizzle on some melted chocolate, top with a variety of jimmies/sprinkles, or sprinkle with granulated sugar. Another great option would even be fruit preserves.

The best whipped shortbread cookies are full of potential. Use your creativity! You only need five ingredients and 10 minutes of your time to whip up the cookie dough. The rest of the time is spent chilling in the fridge.

FYI- This is a small batch recipe, making about 12-16 cookies. This is plenty for some, however you can double the recipe to have more cookies if you desire.

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free


How to achieve the best whipped shortbread cookies:

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

In a medium glass mixing bowl*, combine the butter and powdered sugar. Beat with an electric mixer until airy and a noticeable lightening in color (4-7 minutes.) It sort of looks like a buttercream frosting. Add your vanilla extract now and mix in just until it’s incorporated. *there’s a time and a place for stainless steel mixing bowls, but if you need to make cookie dough and refrigerate it, you’ll want to use a glass bowl, since plastic wrap does not like to stick to metal in my experience.

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

In a separate small mixing bowl



sift* the flour and cornstarch. *This sifting step is optional, and the professional jury is out on whether or not it makes a noticeable difference. I prefer to because there are so few ingredients in this recipe, and I’m trying to go for super tender cookies. Maybe it’s in my head đŸ€·đŸŒâ€â™€ïž Don’t do it or do it, just don’t complain to me haha.

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free
Sifted flour and cornstarch
Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free
Whisked flour and cornstarch.

Thoroughly whisk the dry ingredients together. Next, using your (already dirty) quarter cup measuring device, add the dry ingredients a quarter cup at a time mixing in between. If you add it all in together it will likely be a mess and we are not trying to recreate the dust bowl of the Great Depression.

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free
Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

After combining all ingredients together, place a piece of plastic wrap over the dough, sealing it well, and refrigerate for a couple hours. Two hours you say? I said what I said. Leave it longer if you’d like this as a make ahead recipe.
Remove from fridge and scoop out portions of dough amounting to about 1.5 inches round. Roll into a ball and place on parchment lined baking sheet.

Using a fork, press the bottom tines into the cookie to slightly flatten. Sprinkle with granulated sugar or nonpareils.

Bake in a 325F preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, watching them closely. Bottoms will be a nice light golden when ready but the tops will largely appear the same in color.

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

Allow to cool on the pan, and remove when at room temperature. Moving these cookies while warm might mean you end up with funny lines or dents or even have them break apart. Voila, you’re finished!

Things that helped in the kitchen for this recipe, and can help you too:

  • Glass mixing bowl set – there’s a time and a place for stainless steel mixing bowls, but if you need to make cookie dough and refrigerate it, you’ll want to use a glass bowl, since plastic wrap does not like to stick to metal in my experience- amazon
  • Cookie sheet- USA half sheet Pan which can be found on amazon or Home Goods!
  • Fine mesh strainer to sift– also great for deep frying- amazon
  • Stainless steel measuring spoon set– amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This comes at no cost to you, just like a free Disney travel agent. I’m only here to make suggestions that hopefully help you đŸ˜€

Best whipped shortbread cookies: egg free and nut free

Prep Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Course Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American, canadian

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 Cup salted Butter (1 stick/8tbsps)
  • 6 Tablespoons Powdered sugar (1/4C plus 2 tablespoons)
  • 3/4 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 3/4Cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 Cup Cornstarch
  • granulated sugar and/or sprinkles/non pareils

Instructions
 

  • In a medium glass mixing bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar for several minutes (4-7) until light in color and an airy texture. The look and consistency will be similar to buttercream. Add in the vanilla and mix until combined. A hand mixer can be used or a stand mixer.
  • In a separate smaller bowl, sift flour, and cornstarch, (sifting is optional but I feel it results in a smoother cookie) YMMV. Whisk the dry ingredients and mix into the wet ingredients in batches using your 1/4C measuring device. Do not add it all at once or it’ll be a mess!
  • Cover well with plastic, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Sealing it will make sure your cookies don’t pick up any of the ‘fridge smells and tastes’.
  • Preheat oven to 325℉, line a cookie sheet with parchment and set aside. Scoop out dough and roll into balls around 1.5 inches in size, and place on cookie sheet. Using a fork, gently press the underside of the tines into the cookie, and fill the crevices with a sprinkle of granulated sugar or nonpareils.
    Bake 10-15 minutes, watching them closely. The bottoms will begin to turn a golden color but the tops will still appear white.
    Allow to cool completely on the pan! If you move them while warm, they might fall apart.

Notes

Tips, Tricks and substitutions 
*This recipe makes about 12-16 cookies depending on the size you make them. Recipe can be easily doubled. 
 
Keyword best whipped shortbread cookies, egg free cookies, nut free cookies, peanut free cookies

Not looking for the Best Whipped Shortbread Cookies? Why not try this chocolate truffle cookie 😉

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