Three-ingredient shortbread biscuits are a delightful and simple treat that epitomizes the essence of classic baking. With just three basic ingredients – plain flour, sugar, and butter – these biscuits offer a perfect balance of sweetness and buttery richness. Despite their simplicity, they boast a tender and crumbly texture that melts in your mouth with every bite. This recipe’s charm lies in its minimalism, allowing the pure flavors of the ingredients to shine through and create an irresistible treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
The foundation of three-ingredient shortbread biscuits is the quality of the ingredients. Using high-quality butter is crucial, as it provides the biscuits with their signature rich and buttery flavor. Opt for unsalted butter for better control over the biscuits’ saltiness and ensure it is cold, as this helps create a tender and flaky texture. The combination of flour and sugar adds structure and sweetness to the biscuits, while also contributing to their delicate crumb.
Preparing the dough for three-ingredient shortbread biscuits is a straightforward process. The ingredients are combined in a mixing bowl and worked together until they form a smooth dough. There’s no need for complicated techniques or lengthy chilling times – once the dough comes together, it’s ready to be rolled out and cut into shapes. This simplicity makes the recipe accessible to bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks.
Baking three-ingredient shortbread biscuits is a joyous experience that fills the kitchen with the enticing aroma of butter and sugar. The biscuits are baked in a preheated oven until they are lightly golden around the edges, signaling that they’re perfectly cooked. The temptation to devour them fresh out of the oven is strong, but allowing them to cool slightly ensures they hold their shape and texture.
The versatility of three-ingredient shortbread biscuits makes them a beloved favorite in any household. They can be enjoyed plain, sprinkled with a dusting of powdered sugar, or adorned with a drizzle of chocolate for an extra indulgent touch. Whether served alongside a cup of tea or coffee, shared with loved ones during afternoon tea, or gifted as a homemade treat, these biscuits are guaranteed to bring smiles and satisfaction to all who enjoy them.
✅ Quick Tips: Read the recipe in its entirety before you start cooking. This will help you understand the ingredients, steps, and timing involved, and allow you to prepare any necessary equipment or ingredients beforehand.
Three-ingredient shortbread biscuits
Description
Shortbread biscuits are a classic treat that are loved by many. With their buttery, crumbly texture and delicate sweetness, they are perfect for any occasion. And the best part? You only need three simple ingredients to make them
Ingredients
Instructions
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- Preheat your oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and sugar.
- Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the bowl.
- Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour and sugar mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs and starts to come together into a dough.
- Gently knead the dough in the bowl until it forms a smooth ball.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough and place them on the prepared baking tray.
- Prick the tops of the biscuits with a fork to create a decorative pattern.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the biscuits are lightly golden around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and allow the biscuits to cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Note
Tips for Success:
- Use Cold Butter: It's crucial to use cold butter straight from the fridge as it helps create a flaky and tender texture in the biscuits.
- Don't Overwork the Dough: Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can result in tough biscuits. Once the dough comes together into a ball, stop kneading.
- Chill the Dough: If the dough becomes too soft while working with it, you can chill it in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before rolling it out.
- Keep an Eye on Baking Time: Shortbread biscuits can quickly go from golden to overbaked. Keep a close eye on them while they're in the oven to ensure they're baked to perfection.
- Customize with Flavors: Feel free to customize your shortbread biscuits by adding additional flavorings such as vanilla extract, citrus zest, or spices like cinnamon or cardamom.
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Use High-Quality Ingredients: Since this recipe has minimal ingredients, using high-quality flour, sugar, and butter can make a significant difference in the flavor and texture of the biscuits. Opt for unsalted butter with a high fat content for the best results.
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Chill the Dough Before Baking: After rolling out the dough and cutting out the shapes, chilling the biscuits in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before baking can help them retain their shape and prevent spreading in the oven.
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Adjust Sugar Levels: Depending on your preference, you can adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe to make the biscuits sweeter or less sweet. Keep in mind that reducing the sugar may affect the texture slightly, as sugar contributes to tenderness and browning.
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Experiment with Shapes and Sizes: Get creative with the shapes and sizes of your shortbread biscuits by using different cookie cutters or shaping them by hand. Just be mindful of the thickness and size to ensure even baking.
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Add Decorative Touches: Before baking, you can sprinkle the tops of the biscuits with a little extra sugar for a sparkly finish or press in some chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit for added texture and flavor.
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Keep Baking Temperature Low: Shortbread biscuits are delicate and can easily become too browned or crispy if baked at a high temperature. Keep the oven temperature relatively low (around 160°C or 325°F) for a gentle bake that results in tender, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits.
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Allow Biscuits to Cool Completely: Shortbread biscuits will continue to firm up as they cool, so it's essential to allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before storing them. This helps prevent them from becoming soggy or losing their crispness.
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Store Properly: To maintain freshness, store the cooled biscuits in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper between layers if stacking multiple layers of biscuits.
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Serve with Accompaniments: Shortbread biscuits are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with various accompaniments such as jam, lemon curd, Nutella, or a dollop of whipped cream for a simple yet indulgent treat.
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Calories:
The calorie count for three-ingredient shortbread biscuits will vary based on factors like portion size and specific ingredients used. However, a typical serving (about 2 biscuits) may contain approximately 150-200 calories.
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These three-ingredient shortbread biscuits are incredibly easy to make, and the result is a batch of buttery, melt-in-your-mouth treats that everyone will love. Whether you're baking for a special occasion or simply craving a sweet snack, these biscuits are sure to hit the spot.
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