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The SOFTEST Shortbread Cookies

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These shortbread cookies are melt-in-your-mouth soft! They are dipped or drizzled with milk chocolate adding a delicious burst of chocolate flavor.

The softest chocolate covered shortbread cookies

Shortbread cookies have always seemed like the epitome of Christmas cookies to me. And here we are nearing the end of March (and SPRING has started!) and I’m bringing you the recipe anyways.

Well, I didn’t actually have cookies in mind. Originally, I was trying to create a recipe for a type of shortbread crust for a different dessert I had in mind. Buuuut cookies happened instead after said dessert wasn’t quite what I was hoping for and I was left with a craving for some good shortbread. There was a little bit of contemplation about saving this post for Christmas, but there is no way I could wait that long. There has got to be other people that crave shortbread cookies during March right?!

And these cookies are dipped and/or drizzled in milk chocolate which makes some of the tastiest cookies ever. I know shortbread cookies sometimes can be a bit plain, but with all this chocolate…oh my word. Not to mention these are some of the easiest cookies to make!

The SOFTEST shortbread cookies

Before we get to the recipe, I have just a few tips to make these cookies the best they possibly can be.

First off, arguably the most important ingredient in shortbread cookies is the butter. I like to get a very high quality butter that I know will make these cookies taste awesome. Don’t use any kind of margarine or butter spread – it will make for some not so tasty cookies. The second ingredient that I think is quite important is the vanilla extract. The vanilla extract can really flavor these cookies well so use a good high quality extract. If you have Mexican vanilla, that is delicious in these cookies.

Second, besides the actual ingredients, the rolling and baking of these are important too. Make sure they aren’t too thick when you roll out the dough – a super large and thick shortbread cookie has the tendency to make you want a few cups of milk as it can be a bit dry and bland. Also I like to just slightly under-bake these cookies. It makes them softer and (in my opinion) more flavorful when they are pulled out of the oven just 1-2 minutes earlier. One other trick you can use to keep soft cookies is to let them cool most of the way on a cooling rack and then place them in a large Zip-loc bag. Seal the bag and let them continue to cool for a few minutes. The cookies shouldn’t get steamy in the bag at all (that means they didn’t cool long enough), but there will be a little moisture left in the bag leaving them super soft. Leave them in the bag while you are prepping the chocolate to drizzle or coat the cookies in!

And final tip, use good chocolate! With a cookie with so few ingredients, the ingredients really matter. I love using a really high quality milk or dark chocolate to use on these cookies. You can use an actual chocolate bar or chocolate chips – that doesn’t matter, just make sure it is a good quality chocolate that doesn’t taste waxy.

Oh, I guess one other thing…pour yourself a glass of milk and enjoy!

Soft Chocolate Covered Shortbread Cookies

5 from 4 votes
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The SOFTEST Shortbread Cookies
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
Servings: 3 dozen
Author: Chelsea
Ingredients
  • 12 tablespoons softened butter to room temperature no margarine
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoons and 1/2 vanilla extract I recommend Mexican vanilla
  • 1 cup and 3/4 white flour not packed in the measuring cup
  • 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Pinch of salt
Chocolate Dip or Drizzle
  • 1 cup milk dark, or semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable or coconut oil
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until combined. Add in the vanilla.
  2. Beat in the flour, cornstarch, and salt on a low speed until a dough forms. Knead the dough into a ball and tightly wrap it in plastic wrap. If it is at all dry or crumbly you may have packed in too much flour to the measuring cups or had too solid of butter. Add 1-2 tablespoons more butter to make a solid thick dough.
  3. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to an hour for the butter to chill in the dough.
  4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  5. Roll out the dough so it's just under 1/2 inch thick. Use circle cookie cutters and cut out the dough. Place the circle dough pieces on a baking sheet.
  6. Sprinkle with a little bit of sugar and bake for about 15-18 minutes (this largely depends on the thickness of the cookies and the size of your cookie cutter so watch the cookies carefully!)
  7. As soon as the edges start to lightly brown they should be done.
  8. Lay the cookies out to cool (they also dry and harden a bit). Once they are most of the way cool, place them in a large re-sealable bag and seal it while preparing the chocolate (this keeps them as soft as possible!)
  9. For the chocolate drizzle, combine the chocolate and vegetable oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir. Microwave in 15 second bursts stirring in between for at least 15 seconds until smooth.
  10. Either dip the cooled cookie in the chocolate, or use a spoon and drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookies.
  11. Allow the chocolate to harden.

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The softest shortbread cookies! With a delicious chocolate topping.
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Comments

  10. Years ago I made some shortbread cookies with cornstarch and really did melt in your mouth! I’d forgotten all about that recipe, and these look even better with all of that luscious chocolate! Pinned.

    Reply

  11. I love shortbread cookies and can eat them all year long! These look amazing with all that chocolate and I love how soft they are too!

    Reply

  15. These cookies are the best shortbread cookies I’ve ever had. And my father-in-law’s new favorite cookie on the planet! I’ve got his presents covered for the rest of time 🙂 Haven’t tried them with the chocolate, they are amazing on their own. Thanks for sharing, I will be following you.

    Reply

  16. These look amazing but I can’t get the dough to work. 2 times I’ve tried it now and the dough just turn to crumbs. I’ve followed exact measurements. Any advice?

    Reply

    • Hmm sounds like you might be packing in your flour — try spooning and leveling the flour for best results 🙂 Also, you can always add some more butter if they are too crumbly so you shouldn’t have to throw out any batches. Just add a tablespoon or more until the dough comes together well.

      Reply

  17. I just wanted to let you know that I made these with my gluten free flour blend today and they turned out wonderful!! (If you aren’t making a high quality GF blend of your own I suggest using Better Batter or even “Bob’s Red Mill BAKING All Purpose GF Flour 1 to 1”.)
    I used all your same measurements only adding in 1/2 tsp of almond extract. They were perfect 🙂
    Thank you for this recipe!

    Reply

    • So, so happy to hear that! Thank you so much Lauren 🙂 And how great to hear they were wonderful with the gluten free flour blend!

      Reply

  20. Why not say 1.5 c butter instead of 12 tbs, like most recipes. Your first line turned me off. But the chocolate turned me back on.

    Reply

  21. I love soft cookies and I have a shortbread pan that I’ve been wanting to use, would these cookies turn out well if I baked them in it?

    Reply

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