Irresistibly Easy Chocolate Chip Shortbread: Your New Favorite Buttery Holiday Cookie Recipe
Indulge in the pure delight of soft, buttery, and richly chocolate-packed shortbread. This tender chocolate chip shortbread is not just a dessert; it’s the quintessential treat for any holiday gathering or a cozy evening at home. With its melt-in-your-mouth texture, golden-brown edges, and simple preparation, it promises a truly decadent experience that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery. Best of all, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to make, allowing you to whip up a batch whenever a craving strikes.
The magic of the holidays often lies in the food we share and enjoy. There’s a special comfort in warm, homemade treats on a chilly evening, and this chocolate chip shortbread recipe perfectly captures that festive spirit. It has swiftly become a cherished part of my holiday baking tradition, a recipe I return to year after year.
These delightful cookies deliver everything one could wish for in a holiday dessert. They offer a rich, luxurious flavor without being overly heavy, creating a perfect balance. Each bite is bursting with the classic combination of sweet chocolate and fragrant vanilla, elevating this humble shortbread to something truly extraordinary. You’ll be amazed at how such an effortless recipe can produce such a sophisticated and satisfying result. Prepare to fall in love with these buttery, chocolatey delights!
Why You’ll Adore This Chocolate Chip Shortbread Recipe
There are countless reasons why this particular chocolate chip shortbread recipe has earned a permanent spot in my autumn and winter baking repertoire. If you’re looking for a fuss-free yet impressive dessert, here’s why this shortbread is an absolute must-try:
- Effortlessly Simple: When it comes to dessert recipes, few are as straightforward as this one. Requiring just six common pantry staples, it comes together in under 25 minutes from start to finish. The instructions are incredibly easy to follow, making it accessible for even novice bakers. Whether you’re craving a spontaneous treat or need a quick dessert for unexpected guests, this chocolate chip shortbread is your perfect solution. It truly takes the stress out of baking, allowing you to enjoy the process and the delicious results.
- Budget-Friendly Baking: Frequent trips to the bakery for gourmet treats can quickly add up, and even some homemade dessert recipes can involve a long list of expensive specialty ingredients. Not so with this recipe! It relies on basic, affordable kitchen staples that you likely already have on hand, ensuring you can enjoy a luxurious dessert without breaking the bank. It’s an economical way to bring bakery-quality taste into your home.
- The Ultimate Holiday Indulgence: While undeniably delicious all year round, this chocolate chip shortbread truly shines during the festive season. Imagine the warm, inviting aroma filling your home around Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s. The comforting blend of soft, buttery dough, generous chocolate chips, and fragrant vanilla notes creates a flavor profile that perfectly encapsulates the joy and warmth of the holidays. It’s a wonderful addition to any holiday cookie platter or a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Remarkably Versatile: Despite its rich and decadent flavor, this shortbread is surprisingly light and never overly heavy. This makes it incredibly versatile, suitable for serving at any time of day. It’s a fantastic dessert option for holiday parties, providing a sophisticated yet comforting end to a meal. But don’t limit it to after-dinner; these cookies are also ideal as a delightful mid-morning pick-me-up or an early-afternoon snack, perfectly paired with a steaming cup of coffee or your favorite tea. Its universal appeal makes it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Shortbread
Crafting rich and tender chocolate chip shortbread requires just a handful of common pantry ingredients. The simplicity of the recipe means that the quality of each component truly shines through, so choose wisely for the best results. Be sure to consult the detailed recipe card at the bottom of the page for the precise measurements of each ingredient.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter is the star of any shortbread recipe, providing its signature richness and tender texture. It’s crucial that your butter is at room temperature. This allows it to cream smoothly with the sugar, creating a light and airy base for your dough. Using unsalted butter also gives you complete control over the salt content in your cookies.
- Granulated Sugar: Standard granulated sugar sweetens the shortbread and contributes to its delicate crispness. When creamed with butter, it helps to create air pockets, leading to a lighter texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Never skimp on vanilla! Always opt for 100% pure vanilla extract for an authentic, warm, and aromatic flavor that beautifully complements the chocolate. Imitation vanilla simply won’t achieve the same depth.
- All-Purpose Flour: This foundational ingredient provides structure to your shortbread. All-purpose flour is perfect for achieving that classic crumbly yet tender shortbread consistency without making it tough.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is vital for balancing the sweetness of the sugar and chocolate, enhancing all the other flavors in the cookie. It brings a subtle but noticeable depth to the overall taste.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Mini chocolate chips are ideal for shortbread because their smaller size ensures even distribution throughout the delicate dough without overwhelming its buttery flavor or tearing the shortbread apart when cutting. If you only have regular chocolate chips or chunks, you can finely chop them into smaller pieces.
Effortless Steps to Delicious Chocolate Chip Shortbread
You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily this delightful holiday dessert comes together, taking less than 25 minutes of active time. Follow these simple steps for perfect chocolate chip shortbread every time:
- Preparation is Key: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking as soon as your dough is ready.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the softened room-temperature butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and smooth. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which contributes to the shortbread’s tender texture.
- Infuse with Vanilla: Pour in the pure vanilla extract and mix briefly until it is just combined with the butter and sugar. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the bowl. Mix on a low speed or by hand until the dry ingredients are just incorporated and the mixture begins to form a cohesive dough. Be very careful not to over-mix, as this can lead to tough shortbread.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently pour the mini chocolate chips into the bowl. Using a spatula, carefully fold them into the dough until they are evenly distributed. Overworking the dough at this stage can also toughen the shortbread, so a light touch is best.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the shortbread dough into an ungreased 8-inch round cake pan. Using your fingers or the back of a spoon, gently but firmly press the dough down until it spreads evenly across the bottom of the pan. Ensure a uniform thickness for consistent baking.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes. The shortbread is ready when its edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent over-baking, which can lead to a dry texture.
- Score While Warm: Carefully remove the baked shortbread from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. While it’s still warm but firm enough to handle, use a sharp knife to score it into 8 triangular pieces. Scoring it at this stage makes it much easier to cut cleanly once fully cooled.
- Cool Completely: After scoring, carefully remove the shortbread from the pan and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience is key here! Allowing it to cool fully will ensure it develops that classic, delicate shortbread texture we all love.
Expert Tips for Flawless Shortbread
To ensure your golden-brown chocolate chip shortbread cookies turn out perfectly every time, keep these valuable tricks and tips in mind:
- Do Not Over-Mix the Dough: This is perhaps the most critical rule for shortbread. Once you add the flour, mix just until the ingredients are combined and a dough forms. Over-mixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense, and chewy cookie, which is the opposite of the tender, crumbly texture characteristic of traditional shortbread. Mix only until no streaks of dry flour remain.
- Invest in Quality Butter: Since shortbread is, by definition, “short” with butter, its flavor and texture are profoundly influenced by the quality of butter you use. A high-quality, full-fat butter will lend a superior rich, creamy taste and a wonderfully smooth mouthfeel. Using good butter makes an immense difference in the final product, truly elevating these simple cookies.
- Patience is a Virtue – Cool Completely: It’s incredibly tempting to dive into these fragrant cookies straight out of the oven, especially when your entire home smells like a dream holiday bakery. However, resisting the urge and allowing the shortbread to cool completely is essential. Cooling allows the butter to re-solidify and the structure to set, resulting in the characteristic firm yet crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread texture. Warm shortbread will be crumbly and lack its signature delicate snap.
- Accurate Flour Measurement: For baking, especially with recipes like shortbread where ratios are key, precise ingredient measurement is crucial. When measuring flour, spoon it into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge (like the back of a knife). Scooping flour directly from the bag can compact it, leading you to add too much, which will make your shortbread dry and stiff.
Delightful Serving Pairings
Chocolate chip shortbread is a versatile treat that pairs wonderfully with a variety of beverages, making it perfect for any time of day. Whether you prefer a stimulating drink in the morning or a comforting nightcap, this holiday shortbread elevates the experience. Here are a few of my personal favorites for a truly cozy indulgence:
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Baileys White Russian
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Kahlua Hot Chocolate
- Christmas Sangria
Beyond these, a simple cup of freshly brewed coffee, a comforting Earl Grey tea, or even a cold glass of milk can be the perfect accompaniment, allowing the rich, buttery flavor of the shortbread to truly shine.
Storing Your Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
To maintain their exquisite flavor and delicate texture, leftover chocolate chip shortbread cookies should be stored properly. Place them in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will remain fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. For extended freshness, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Always ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other odors.
Can I Freeze Chocolate Chip Shortbread?
Absolutely! These buttery chocolate chip shortbread cookies freeze beautifully, making them an excellent make-ahead option for holiday baking or to have on hand for unexpected guests. Simply arrange the cooled cookies in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper if stacking. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two, or in the fridge overnight, before serving. They’ll be just as delicious as when freshly baked!
More Easy Cookie Recipes to Love
Cookies hold a special place in my heart – they’re not just incredibly delicious, but often wonderfully quick and easy to prepare. There’s a certain joy in baking a fresh batch of cookies, and the variety is endless. If you enjoyed this chocolate chip shortbread, you’re in for a treat with these other simple and satisfying cookie recipes:
- M&M Cookies
- Frosted Churro Cookies
- Bisquick Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Cookies
- White Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
- Snickerdoodle CookiesSave
Chocolate Chip Shortbread
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 375º F
-
Add the butter and sugar to a mixing bowl and cream together until light and fluffy.
-
Add the vanilla and mix to combined.
-
Add flour and salt to the bowl and mix until the ingredients are well combined and a dough starts to form.
-
Add the chocolate chips, and use a spatula to carefully fold them in.
-
Press the shortbread dough into an ungreased 8-inch cake pan.
-
Bake for 18-20 minutes until the shortbread edges are golden brown.
-
Remove the shortbread from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes, then score into 8 pieces with a knife.
-
Remove the shortbread from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.
Notes
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 5 days, in the fridge for 10 days, or in the freezer for 6 months.
- For the best flavor and texture, use a good-quality butter.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!
I’ve cultivated a vibrant community on Facebook, and I’d be absolutely thrilled for you to join us! It’s a fantastic place where you can share your favorite recipes, ask questions, and stay updated on all the exciting new creations from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts, ensuring you never miss a new recipe!
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and
tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS
recipes YOU create!
Don’t forget to follow me on my social media channels, so you
never miss out on a delicious post!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram