Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies: A Simple & Delicious Recipe

Shortbread cookies are a classic for a reason: they’re buttery, crumbly, and utterly irresistible. Adding chocolate chips takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness. This recipe for chocolate chip shortbread cookies is incredibly simple, requiring only a handful of ingredients and minimal effort. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, you’ll be able to whip up a batch of these delightful treats in no time. They’re perfect for holiday baking, afternoon tea, or simply satisfying a sweet craving.

This article will guide you through everything you need to know to make perfect chocolate chip shortbread cookies, from ingredient selection to baking tips. We’ll cover common mistakes to avoid and offer variations to customize the recipe to your liking. Get ready to indulge in a batch of warm, buttery, chocolate-studded goodness!

Why This Recipe Works

• Simple Ingredients: This recipe uses basic pantry staples like butter, flour, sugar, and chocolate chips. No fancy ingredients required!
• Easy to Make: The dough comes together quickly and easily, without the need for chilling (though chilling can enhance the flavor and texture).
• Buttery and Crumbly: The high butter content ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s characteristic of good shortbread.
• Customizable: You can easily add different types of chocolate chips, nuts, or extracts to create your own unique variation.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: These cookies are great for holidays, parties, or just a simple treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to make these delectable chocolate chip shortbread cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: The star of the show! Use high-quality unsalted butter for the best flavor. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature but not melted. Softened butter allows for even creaming with the sugar, which is crucial for a tender cookie.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps to create a slightly crisp texture. You can also use powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar) for a more delicate and melt-in-your-mouth texture, but the cookies will be a bit more fragile.
• All-Purpose Flour: The base of the cookie. Be sure to measure it accurately, using the spoon and level method (spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a knife) to avoid adding too much flour, which can result in dry cookies.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and balances the sweetness. A pinch of salt is essential in any baking recipe.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a touch of warmth and complexity to the flavor. Use pure vanilla extract for the best results. You can also experiment with other extracts like almond or maple.
• Chocolate Chips: The obvious addition! Use your favorite type of chocolate chips – semi-sweet, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate. You can also use chopped chocolate for a more rustic look and intense chocolate flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to make perfect chocolate chip shortbread cookies every time:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step is important for incorporating air into the dough, which contributes to a tender texture. Use an electric mixer (stand mixer or hand mixer) for best results, but you can also do this by hand with a wooden spoon, although it will take a bit more effort.
3. Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the vanilla extract. This will add a subtle but important layer of flavor to the cookies.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. Whisking ensures that the salt is evenly distributed throughout the flour.
5. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tough cookies. The dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.
6. Stir in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Shape the Dough: There are a few ways to shape the dough:
• Slice and Bake: Roll the dough into a log (about 2 inches in diameter) on a lightly floured surface. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours). This will make it easier to slice. Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Cut-Out Cookies: Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet.
• Drop Cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten the cookies with the back of a fork.
8. Bake the Cookies: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. The baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the cookies.
9. Cool the Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Enjoy! These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Tips for Perfect Shortbread Cookies

Here are a few tips to help you achieve shortbread cookie perfection:

• Use Room Temperature Butter: Softened butter is essential for creaming with the sugar. It should be soft enough to easily press with your finger, but not melted. If your butter is too cold, it won’t cream properly. If it’s too warm, the cookies will spread too much during baking.
• Measure Flour Accurately: Adding too much flour is a common mistake that can result in dry, crumbly cookies. Use the spoon and level method to measure your flour accurately.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the cookies tough. Mix the dough until just combined.
• Chill the Dough (Optional): Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) can help to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and enhance the flavor. It also makes the dough easier to handle.
• Bake at a Low Temperature: Baking at a low temperature (325°F or 160°C) ensures that the cookies bake evenly and don’t brown too quickly.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and hard. Bake the cookies until the edges are lightly golden brown. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
• Let the Cookies Cool Completely: Let the cookies cool completely before storing them. This will prevent them from becoming soggy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when making chocolate chip shortbread cookies:

• Using Cold Butter: Cold butter will not cream properly with the sugar, resulting in a dense, hard cookie.
• Using Melted Butter: Melted butter will cause the cookies to spread too much during baking.
• Adding Too Much Flour: Adding too much flour will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
• Overmixing the Dough: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.
• Overbaking the Cookies: Overbaking the cookies will make them dry and hard.

Variations and Add-Ins

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing these chocolate chip shortbread cookies. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Different Types of Chocolate Chips: Experiment with different types of chocolate chips, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even mini chocolate chips.
• Nuts: Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, to the dough for added texture and flavor.
• Extracts: Use different extracts, such as almond extract, maple extract, or peppermint extract, to add a unique flavor to the cookies.
• Spices: Add a pinch of spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger, to the dough for a warm and cozy flavor.
• Citrus Zest: Add citrus zest, such as lemon zest or orange zest, to the dough for a bright and refreshing flavor.
• Dried Fruit: Add chopped dried fruit, such as cranberries, raisins, or apricots, to the dough for a chewy texture and added sweetness.
• Sea Salt: Sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking for a salty-sweet flavor combination.
• Espresso Powder: Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to the dough to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Drizzle with Chocolate: After the cookies have cooled, drizzle them with melted chocolate for an extra touch of indulgence.

Serving Suggestions

These chocolate chip shortbread cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

• With a Glass of Milk: A classic pairing! The buttery cookies and cold milk are a perfect match.
• With a Cup of Coffee or Tea: Enjoy these cookies with your morning coffee or afternoon tea.
• As a Dessert with Ice Cream: Crumble the cookies over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple and delicious dessert.
• In a Cookie Sandwich: Make a cookie sandwich by filling two cookies with your favorite filling, such as Nutella, peanut butter, or marshmallow fluff.
• As a Gift: Package these cookies in a pretty box or tin and give them as a gift to friends and family.

Storage Instructions

To keep your chocolate chip shortbread cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cookies for longer storage. To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer bag or airtight container. Frozen cookies will keep for up to 2 months.

Recipe

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 12-15 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
6. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Shape the dough into a log (about 2 inches in diameter). Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
8. Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch thick rounds and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate)

Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. The following is an estimate per cookie:

• Calories: 120-150
• Fat: 8-10g
• Saturated Fat: 5-6g
• Cholesterol: 20-25mg
• Sodium: 20-30mg
• Carbohydrates: 12-15g
• Sugar: 6-8g
• Protein: 1-2g

Conclusion

These chocolate chip shortbread cookies are a simple and delicious treat that everyone will love. With just a few basic ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can bake a batch of warm, buttery, chocolate-studded goodness in no time. So, get in the kitchen and start baking! You won’t be disappointed.

Enjoy these cookies with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or as a simple dessert. They’re also perfect for gifting to friends and family. Happy baking!