Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Indulge in the delightful harmony of buttery goodness and natural sweetness with these Honey-Sweetened Shortbread Cookies. Creamed with softened butter and golden honey, these treats offer a gentle sweetness atop a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Cut into charming shapes and baked to a delicate golden hue, they make a delightful accompaniment to your favorite beverage or a delightful standalone treat for any occasion. Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of these homemade delights!
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Honey Shortbread
Indulge in the buttery and sweetness of these Honey-Sweetened Shortbread Cookies with this easy recipe! Enjoy the aroma of freshly baked goods as you cut them into delightful shapes and bake them to a gentle golden hue. Enjoy them by themselves or as an accompaniment to your favorite beverage. Sweeten your day with this honey and butter treat!
Honey Shortbread FAQ - Your recipe questions answered!
Natural Sweetness: The use of honey as a sweetener adds a natural and distinct sweetness to the shortbread, offering a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
Buttery Goodness: Shortbread is known for its rich, buttery flavor and crumbly texture, making it a delightful treat for anyone who loves buttery baked goods.
Simple Ingredients: With just a handful of basic ingredients like butter, honey, flour, and salt, this recipe is straightforward and doesn't require any fancy or hard-to-find items.
Versatile Shapes: Whether you use cookie cutters for fun shapes or simply slice the dough into squares or rectangles, these cookies are versatile and perfect for any occasion.
Customizable Sweetness: You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey used, allowing you to tailor the recipe to your preferred level of sweetness.
Pairs Well: These shortbread cookies complement various beverages, such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, making them an excellent accompaniment for cozy gatherings or afternoon treats.
Homemade Delight: Homemade treats always carry an extra touch of love and care. Sharing these cookies with friends and family makes for a thoughtful and delightful gesture.
Kid-Friendly Baking: Simple recipes like this are great for involving kids in the kitchen. They can help with rolling out the dough and using cookie cutters, making it a fun family activity.
Gifting Option: Packaged in a lovely box or tin, these shortbread cookies make a wonderful homemade gift for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions.
Easily Customizable: While this recipe uses honey, you can also add in additional flavors like vanilla extract, citrus zest, or even a sprinkle of spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to personalize the taste.
The number of cookies this recipe yields can vary based on the size and shape of your cutters or how you portion the dough. However, generally, this recipe should make about 20-24 medium-sized cookies when using standard cookie cutters or slicing into squares or rectangles. If you use smaller cutters, you might get more cookies, and larger ones may result in fewer cookies. Adjust the size and thickness of the cookies to suit your preference and anticipate the yield accordingly.
The prep time for this Honey-Sweetened Shortbread recipe is relatively short:
Preparation Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes
Baking Time: 12-15 minutes
The total time from start to finish, including preparation and baking, would typically range from around 30 to 40 minutes. This estimate may vary depending on individual baking skills, equipment used, and the intricacy of shaping the cookies.
Butter Consistency: Ensure the butter is softened but not melted. It should be at room temperature for proper creaming with honey to achieve the right texture.
Careful Measuring: Measure the flour accurately. Too much flour can make the shortbread dry and crumbly. Use the spoon and level method to avoid packing in too much flour.
Chill the Dough: If the kitchen is warm and the dough becomes too soft while working with it, chill it for 15-30 minutes in the fridge to firm it up for easier rolling and cutting.
Rolling Thickness: Aim for a consistent thickness (about ¼ inch or 0.6 cm) to ensure even baking. Using guide sticks on either side of the dough helps maintain uniform thickness while rolling.
Avoid Overmixing: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined. Overmixing can result in tough shortbread. Stop mixing as soon as the dough comes together.
Chill Before Baking: After cutting the cookies, place them on a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Chilled dough helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
Check for Doneness: Keep a close eye on the cookies while baking, especially toward the end of the baking time. They should have lightly golden edges but still appear pale on top.
Cooling Period: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. They'll continue to firm up as they cool.
Storage: Store the cooled shortbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They should keep well for about a week, but their freshness and texture are best within the first few days.
Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with additional flavorings like vanilla extract, citrus zest, or spices to add your personal touch to the recipe.
How to Make Honey Shortbread
Here's a simple recipe for honey-sweetened shortbread (the full, printable recipe is at the bottom of the post):
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup honey (adjust to taste)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
Please Note: Feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of honey according to your taste preferences. This recipe provides a nice balance between the buttery richness of traditional shortbread and the natural sweetness of honey.
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Honey Shortbread
Indulge in the buttery and sweetness of these Honey-Sweetened Shortbread Cookies with this easy recipe! Enjoy the aroma of freshly baked goods as you cut them into delightful shapes and bake them to a gentle golden hue. Enjoy them by themselves or as an accompaniment to your favorite beverage. Sweeten your day with this honey and butter treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup honey (adjust to taste)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare a 9-inch round baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Honey: In a stand mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and honey until well combined. Have the stand mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until creamy and light.
- Add Flour and Salt: Gradually add the flour to the butter-honey mixture. If using unsalted butter, add the salt along with the flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. The dough should hold together when pressed.
- Put the Dough in the Baking Pan: Transfer the dough into the parchment-lined round baking pan. Gently press it evenly into the pan. (For Roll and Cut Cookies Option: Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch (0.6 cm) thickness. You can use a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness. Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters or simply slice it into squares or rectangles. Transfer to Baking Sheet: Carefully transfer the cut-out shortbread cookies to the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie.)
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly golden. 18 minutes works for me! Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
- Cool: Once done, remove the shortbread from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy these delicious honey-sweetened shortbread cookies with a cup of tea or coffee!
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 164Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 28mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 2g
Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best. If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe!
- First published: 1/5/2024
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