Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies

This recipe post has been sponsored by the dietitians at the Canadian Sugar Institute.

These Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies are a flavourful twist on a classic dessert. Whip up a batch with your family and enjoy all that holiday baking has to offer!

I have partnered with the Canadian Sugar Institute to bring you these Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies. Baking during the holiday season is one of my favourite hobbies. My family has been making a traditional shortbread cookie recipe for over 30 years and it brings us all so much joy. Working together and creating a delicious dessert that tastes so nostalgic is my idea of true holiday spirit. So, whenever you’re ready to put on holiday music, get cozy and have fun in the kitchen, this updated recipe is for you!

For more information on the functional roles sugar plays in different recipes, visit the Canadian Sugar Institute website.

Ingredients for Brown Butter Shortbread

This ingredient list couldn’t be simpler! All you need is:

• Butter
  • I recommend using salted butter for another dimension of flavour.
• All-purpose flour
  • If you have a sifter or a sieve, sifting the flour (and icing sugar) really enhances the texture of the cookie.
• Icing sugar
  • Try to stay away from organic icing sugar. I don’t know if this is every brand but the last organic icing sugar I purchased was way too clumpy and very difficult to use in any baking recipe.
• Cornstarch
  • The cornstarch provides the traditional shortbread texture: buttery, crispy, melt-in-your-mouth perfection!

How to Make Brown Butter

Browning butter is the process of heating and caramelizing the milk solids of butter until it’s a deep nutty flavour and golden-brown colour. Making brown butter is quick and easy, it just takes a bit of concentration. I recommend using a stainless steel or light-coloured saucepan so that it’s easier to see the darkening butter at the bottom.  

In a saucepan, melt the butter on medium-high heat. Once melted, whisk the butter until it turns a light brown colour and has a nutty aroma to it (roughly 5-10 minutes).

During this time, you may have to remove the saucepan from the heat a couple of times to allow the foam to settle so you can see the butter underneath. 

 Once browned, pour the butter into a glass jar and allow it to solidify. This can be done by placing it in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

Making Shortbread Cookies

The batter for these Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies is a bit different to traditional cookie dough. Expect it to be a lot drier and flakier, even as you’re putting it on the baking tray. Here is how I recommend making them in the most efficient way:

1. Cream the brown butter in a large bowl for 1-2 minutes. Gradually add the icing sugar and mix until combined.
2. Add the flour and using your hands or a wooden spoon, mix well. If the mixture is too crumbly, add 1 tsp of water at a time until the dough comes together in a ball.
3. Spoon out 1 tbsp of the dough and using your hands, form into a round disk (about ¼-½ inch thick). Place on the greased cookie sheet and repeat with the rest of the dough. This technique will create a more rustic looking cookie. If you prefer more even edges, you can roll out the dough until it’s ½” thick and use cookie cutters to achieve a perfect shape!
4. Bake the cookies at 300ºF for 20-25 minutes or until the bottom is a light golden-brown colour.

Allow the shortbread to cool for about 5-10 minutes before enjoying!

Thank you to the Canadian Sugar Institute for sponsoring this recipe post and sharing joy this holiday season with an enhanced traditional recipe!

 

I hope these Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies are a fun way to make memories with your loved ones. Don’t forget to check out some of these other desserts for inspiration:

• Orange Yogurt Loaf with Vanilla Glaze
• Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars
• Black Bean Brownies
• Papa’s Classic Oatmeal Cookies

 

If you make these Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies, I would love to see your comment and rating below. It also makes my day seeing your creation of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutrition.rd!