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scottish shortbread
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4.89 from 9 votes

Traditional Scottish Shortbread

A rich, buttery Scottish shortbread from the pages of Nana Ling's handwritten recipe book - dated 1941.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Australian, Scottish
Keyword: scottish shortbread
Servings: 24 pieces
Calories: 83kcal

Ingredients

  • 120 grams plain flour
  • 60 grams rice flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 120 grams butter
  • 120 grams sugar

Instructions

  • Put sugar, butter and sifted flours and baking powder in separate piles on a clean surface.
    scottish shortbread ingredients
  • Knead butter and sugar together.
  • Gradually draw in the flour, kneading well.
  • When the mixture is a stiff paste, break into two pieces.
  • Roll out each piece into a circle that's a little over 1 cm (or ½ inch) thick. The circles should be about 16cm in diameter.
  • Pinch edges, pierce with a fork in lines and dust with a little extra sugar on top.
    scottish shortbread pinching edges
  • Place in fridge for 15-20 minutes to chill.
  • Bake in a slow oven until golden. (I bake mine in a fan-forced oven at 145 degrees celsius for about 40 minutes.)

Air Fryer Method

  • Using the 3.2L Kmart Air Fryer (or equivalent), cut a circle of baking paper the same size as the bottom of the basket.
  • Use only half of the amount of each ingredient listed above.
  • Follow the instructions above to combine the sugar and butter and then the flours and baking powder.
  • Form the mixture into one ball and place on the baking paper.
  • Using a rolling pin, glass or your hands, roll or flatten out the mixture to form a circle about 16cm in diameter. Use your hands to keep the shape circular and smooth out any cracks that appear at the edges.
  • Pinch edges, pierce with a fork in lines and dust with a little extra sugar on top.
  • Place in fridge for 15-20 minutes to chill.
  • Heat air fryer at 180 degrees celsius for 3 minutes before placing shortbread in the air fryer.
  • Carefully place shortbread in the air fryer basket and cook at 140 degrees celsius for 30 minutes.
  • Allow to cool completely in the basket before removing the shortbread in one piece and then cutting in squares with a sharp knife.
    scottish shortbread squares

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 36mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg