Best 7 Spanish Shortbread Recipes

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Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this article will help guide you in creating the perfect batch of Spanish shortbread. Made with simple ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, and a hint of salt, these cookies are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with a slightly sweet and buttery flavor. This classic Spanish treat is a popular snack, served at cafes and homes alike, and can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a cup of coffee or tea.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SPANISH SHORTBREAD



Spanish Shortbread image

Very lovely with a cup of tea just before bed. These cookies are called Mantecados, and are a favorite among young Spanish children. I think that the are a little difficult to prepare, but so worth it. The also make a nice give-away basket in the spring. :)

Provided by Little Italy

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 3 dozen, 40 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup lard (softened)
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 lemon (grated zest and juice)
2 1/2 cups finely ground almonds

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F (160°F) and grease four cookie sheets.
  • Sift flour, and salt into a large bowl.
  • Beat the Lard and sugar into a second large bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until creamy.
  • Add the egg yolks, beating until nicely blended. Then mix in the dry ingredients and lemon zest.
  • Stir in the ground almonds and lemon juice until blended well. Turn out onto a lightly floured countertop and knead to form a smooth dough.
  • Cover with parchment paper, and roll out the dough about 1cm thick.Remove paper, and using a 6cm cookie cutter, cut out 40 cookies. Use a spatula and transfer to prepared cookie sheets, placing them 2.5cm apart.
  • Bake, one batch at a time for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350°F and bake for 5-10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
  • Cool on cookie sheets for about 1 minute, and transfer to a cooling rack.
  • Cool completely and enjoy!
  • Keeps 8 days.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 163.2, Fat 10, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 15.4, Sodium 37.2, Carbohydrate 16.2, Fiber 1.5, Sugar 6.7, Protein 3.1

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD



Scottish Shortbread image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Number Of Ingredients 3

1/2 pound best unsalted butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place butter in mixer and beat with paddle until soft and light. Beat in sugar in a stream and continue beating 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture is very light and whitened. Stir in the flour by hand until it absorbed, no more or the dough will toughen.
  • Scrape the dough onto a floured surface and flour the dough with pinches of flour. Press the dough out with your hands, then roll over once or twice very gently with a rolling pin until the dough is about 1/2-inch thick. Cut the dough with floured cutters and transfer the cut pieces to a paper lined pan.
  • Bake the shortbread for about 15 minutes until it is very lightly colored. Cool the shortbread on a rack.
  • To use a shortbread mold to shape, press the mold into the floured dough and cut around it. Transfer the cut and molded dough to a paper lined pan and chill about 1 hour until firm. Bake as above.

MANTECADOS RECIPE: TRADITIONAL SPANISH SHORTBREAD COOKIES



Mantecados Recipe: Traditional Spanish Shortbread Cookies image

This easy and delicious mantecados recipe will have you enjoying Spain's favorite cookies in no time!

Provided by Melanie Glover

Categories     Dessert

Time 33m

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup of soft butter or vegetable shortening (you can also use traditional pork lard if you want)
1/2 cup of light olive oil
1 cup of white sugar
1 lemon peel (grated)
2 teaspoons of lemon juice (tip: use the same lemon that you zest)
1 egg (beaten)
2 cups of flour (tip: for a gluten-free option, try almond flour)
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 cup of almond halves (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F

Nutrition Facts : Calories 216.71 kcal, Carbohydrate 19.64 g, Protein 1.67 g, Fat 14.94 g, SaturatedFat 6.66 g, Cholesterol 32.59 mg, Sodium 32.21 mg, Fiber 0.37 g, Sugar 10.05 g, ServingSize 1 serving

REAL SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD



Real Scottish Shortbread image

This is my Scottish grandmother's recipe. It melts in your mouth rather than be hard and crunchy like the North American version.

Provided by KitchenKelly

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 24 cookies, 24 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup butter, softened

Steps:

  • Sift cornstarch, sugar and flour together.
  • Blend in butter until combined and then use hands to knead into a soft dough.
  • Shape dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Place dough in the bottom of a greased 9x9-inch pan and bake at 300°F for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Cool completely in pan and cut into squares.
  • Store in an airtight container.

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD II



Scottish Shortbread II image

Light, very buttery. Does not make a large batch, but are simple enough to make many batches. Recipe does not double well.

Provided by Cheryl Otten

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     UK and Ireland     Scottish

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
⅓ cup white sugar
¾ cup butter

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
  • Blend all ingredients well. Dough will be stiff.
  • Press into a 9 x 9 inch buttered dish. Prick top with a fork.
  • Bake until pale golden brown on the edges. Cool and cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.1 calories, Carbohydrate 17.5 g, Cholesterol 30.5 mg, Fat 11.7 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 7.3 g, Sodium 82 mg, Sugar 5.6 g

EASY SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD



Easy Scottish Shortbread image

These traditional butter cookies require only three ingredients. They're so yummy, you won't be able to stop at just one! -Peggy Goodrich, Enid, Oklahoma

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 30m

Yield about 3-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 3

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • In a small mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Gradually add flour and mix well. (Dough will be crumbly). Shape into a ball., On a lightly floured surface, press dough to 1/2-in. thickness. Cut out with a floured 1-in. diamond-shaped cookie cutter; place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Prick each cookie with a fork. Reroll scraps if desired. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until firm. Cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks to cool completely.,

Nutrition Facts : Calories 55 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 26mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

SCOTTISH SHORTBREAD IV



Scottish Shortbread IV image

This is the most basic cookie recipe there is. Real butter and brown sugar give it an irresistible flavor.

Provided by Linda

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     UK and Ireland     Scottish

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 3

2 cups butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
  • Cream butter and brown sugar. Add 3 to 3 3/4 cups flour. Mix well.
  • Sprinkle board with the remaining flour. Knead for 5 minutes, adding enough flour to make a soft dough. Roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into 3x1 inch strips. Prick with fork and place on ungreased baking sheets.
  • Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 255.8 calories, Carbohydrate 26.9 g, Cholesterol 40.7 mg, Fat 15.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 9.8 g, Sodium 112 mg, Sugar 9 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: This will ensure that your shortbread cookies turn out delicious and flavorful. Look for butter, flour, and sugar that are all fresh and of good quality.
  • Follow the recipe carefully: Shortbread cookies are a delicate pastry, so it's important to follow the recipe closely in order to achieve the best results.
  • Work quickly: Shortbread dough should be handled as little as possible, so work quickly to mix the ingredients and shape the cookies.
  • Chill the dough: Chilling the dough before baking helps to prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just golden brown: Overbaking will make the cookies dry and crumbly.
  • Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving: This will help them to firm up and develop their full flavor.

Conclusion:

Spanish shortbread cookies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their simple ingredients and delicate flavor, these cookies are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give Spanish shortbread cookies a try. You won't be disappointed!

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