This might be a controversial opinion, but my favorite Girl Scout cookies are shortbread cookies. I know! I was as surprised by this as maybe some of you are. And I have to admit that thin mints are a very close second.
But there’s just something about those simple, buttery shortbread cookies that I love. They are the perfect cookie to dunk in milk or eat alongside an afternoon cup of coffee or tea. Yum!
This is a classic shortbread cookie recipe, simple and straightforward. It’s not meant to be a copycat version of the Girl Scout cookies. If you see any Girl Scouts selling cookies, you should just buy a few boxes.
I love these classic shortbread cookies. They are truly SO simple with only four ingredients. They turn out flaky, crispy cookies that have that melt-in-your-mouth butter flavor. Just so good!
I think traditional shortbread is usually baked in a square pan or cut into small bars. But I like to take a few extra minutes to roll the dough out and cut with round or fluted cookie cutters, but any shape that will dunk well in a cold glass of milk will do. 🙂
These classic shortbread cookies are also a great cookie to turn into a cookie sandwich—just add an ice cream or Nutella center. But I love them all on their own.
If you wanted to jazz this simple shortbread recipe up a little, you could brown some of the butter or swap out a little of the granulated sugar for brown sugar. But I like them simple and classic best.
And now I want to hear what Girl Scout cookies are your favorites! Thanks for letting me share this recipe. xo. Emma
P.S. If you love shortbread cookies, try my Potato Chip Cookie Recipe!
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter (softened)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Stir in the flour until a crumbly dough forms. Press together. Cover or wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out until 1/4 inch thick or even a little thinner. The dough may be crumbly so you may need to press together as you work and roll slowly. Use a cookie cutter to cut out 15-18 cookies.
- Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool before eating or storing.
I love shortbread! I make a gluten free version with the same measurements, but instead of wheat flour I use a mixture of 1/3 almond flour/ 1/3 sorghum flour/ 1/3 buckwheat flour, and after I measure the amount needed for the recipe, I add 1 TBP cornstarch. The sorghum is sweet and browns in a flash, so keep an eagle eye on the cookies in the oven! Sometimes I add a little almond extract!
I just made these and they were wonderful. I’m a beginner at baking cookies. I loved how simple and easy it was to make. I used heart cookie cut outs (: Thanks for the recipe!
This is my family’s favorite cookie. I often make the dough at night and bake fresh cookies for breakfast in the morning. My child really loves them with milk.
These look so good! I love the little frilled edges, too- it makes them look a little more special. I am going to have to try this recipe; my husband is crazy about shortbread, so he’d be over the moon to have homemade ones. ☺️
xoKaelen | Darling Marcelle
Woa~ they look yummy, and the recipe looks fun and easy to follow, I might give it a try this weekend 😀
I love shortbread cookies and haven’t any in years! These little ok fairly easy to make. My favorite girls scout cookies are the thin mints.
I am not so surprised by your fave girl scout cookie choice! Something classic, versatile, and delicious without being overwhelming checks off a lot of boxes!
I can’t believe how easy this recipe is. It’s something I feel confident I could do and I’m definitely not a seasoned baker! Can’t wait to make these the instant it drops under the 90’s here!
I love shortbread cookies… and these can be storage in the freezer, and just pick up one (or a couple) when you have the NEED!
Thanks for sharing your recipes! I already have so many of your recipes as everyday (or every week) basics!
Cheers from Uruguay!
Love that idea! Freezer treats are the best. Ha
Shortbread cookies are my very favorite cookie! I don’t know why that I rarely make them!
I just recently started to enjoy shortbread. When I was little, my grandmother made them often for my father, and I never tried them. I wish I had,now! I find that the Girl Scout shortbread has a slight lemony taste, which isn’t appealing to me. I won’t order them again, I’ll stick with my chocolate ones! And possibly try making my own – thank you for the recipe!
I’m with you on the Girl Scouts Cookies – love the shortbread the best. Simple is best! Thanks for the recipe! I will search your past recipes, but would also like a perfect gingerbread cookie- my ultimate favorite and there are so many versions, it’s hard to choose. Thanks for all you do!
Good to know! I love a spicy gingerbread cookie and it’s almost the season. 🙂