Here is a FULL, DETAILED RECIPE for the — Soft Sugar Shortbread Cookies with Sparkling Sugar 🍪✨
(They are buttery, tender, and slightly crumbly,
Sparkly Sugar Shortbread Cookies
Makes: 25–30 cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ½ tsp salt
Topping
- Coarse sugar or colored sanding sugar
- Optional: a few drops milk or egg wash (for better sugar sticking)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare Dough
- Preheat oven to 170°C / 340°F.
- Line baking trays with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, cream butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla, mix until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Mix just until a soft, smooth dough forms.
2️⃣ Shape Cookies
- Roll dough to ½-inch (1.25 cm) thickness.
- Cut with a square or fluted cutter (like in the image).
- Place cookies on tray, spacing slightly apart.
- Lightly brush tops with milk or egg wash.
- Sprinkle generously with sparkling sugar.
3️⃣ Bake
- Bake for 12–15 minutes.
- Cookies should stay pale on top with lightly golden edges.
- Cool on tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
Texture & Flavor Tips
- Cornstarch makes them extra tender and melt-in-the-mouth
- Don’t overbake — shortbread should not brown much
- Chill dough 20 minutes if too soft
Storage
- Store in an airtight container 5–7 days
- Freezes well for up to 2 months
Variations
- 🍋 Add lemon zest
- 🍫 Dip half in melted chocolate
- 🌰 Add finely chopped nuts
- 🎄 Perfect as holiday cookies