Easy Thermomix Shortbread Recipe (2024)

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Made with just five ingredients, this easy Thermomix Shortbread recipe REALLY is the best! You can prepare this buttery shortbread in less than 15 minutes and it makes the best homemade Christmas gift.

Easy Thermomix Shortbread Recipe (1)

I lose count of the number of times I make this Thermomix Shortbread recipe in the lead up to Christmas! This easy Shortbread recipe is incredibly simple to make AND once baked, the biscuits can be stored for up to two weeks in an airtight container.

This Shortbread dough can also be made up to a day in advance and then stored covered in the fridge. Once you are ready to make the biscuits, simply place the dough on your bench top until it is able to be rolled.

As this easy Shortbread takes no time at all to make and bake, it’s one of my go to homemade Christmas gift recipes as all you need to do is pop a few pieces into a cello bag, tie up with a Christmas ribbon and you’ve got a great delicious gift! It’s also perfect to add to a Christmas Hamper and it’s always been a hit when I’ve given it to my boys teachers.

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Thermomix Shortbread Ingredients:

Please note you will find the full ingredient list and instructions to make shortbread in a Thermomix in the recipe card below.

To make this classic Shortbread recipe, you will need plain (all-purpose) flour, butter (I prefer to use unsalted), rice flour, vanilla extract and caster sugar. The addition of the Rice Flour is what helps to give your shortbread its ‘shortness’ however if you don’t have any, simply substitute with plain flour.

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How to Make Shortbread in a Thermomix

This Shortbread will take less than five minutes to prepare in your Thermomix!

Step 1. Combine the butter, caster sugar and rice flour.

Place the butter (which has been bought to room temperature), caster sugar and rice flour into your Thermomix bowl and mix until pale and creamy. If your butter is firm, it will take longer for the ingredients to combine together.

Step 2. Add the vanilla extract and plain flour.

Add the vanilla extract and plain flour and mix to combine. Select the kneading function to bring the shortbread mixture together until it resembles a dough. The mixture may not have completely come together after kneading – this is normal!

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Step 3. Roll our the Shortbread dough.

Use a spatula to scrape the mixture out of the bowl and onto the bench, and then use your hands to bring the dough together into a ball.
Divide the shortbread dough in half, and using a rolling pin, roll until it’s approximately ½ – 1 cm thick. Use a biscuit cutter to make shapes in the shortbread dough and place onto a tray lined with baking paper.

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Step 4.

Place the shortbread into the oven and bake for 10 -12 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden.

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Tips for Making the BEST Shortbread

It is important that the butter has been softened as if it still firm, it will take longer to combine with the other ingredients.

It is normal for the mixture to not have completely come together once you have finished kneading it, don’t worry, as you will bring it all together once you tip it out onto your bench.

Once your dough is shaped into a ball, I cut it in half and pop one half into the fridge until I’m ready to use it.

If you are making this recipe in a warm climate, you may like to pop the ball into the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.

To make it easier to cut and lift the shortbread, roll it out onto a piece of baking paper and use a metal egg flip to transfer to your tray.

You can make any size/shape shortbread that you like. For this recipe I have used an 8cm wide cutter. If you are using a smaller cutter you will need to check your shortbread sooner – I would suggest at 5 minutes.

Store cooked Shortbread in an airtight container and enjoy within two weeks. The baked biscuits can also be frozen for up to two months.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make Shortbread in a Thermomix?

Yes! You can find my easy Thermomix Shortbread recipe in the recipe card below.

What is in Shortbread?

There are just five ingredients in Shortbread: Plain Flour, Rice Flour, Butter, Caster Sugar and Vanilla Extract.

Do you have to use Rice Flour to make Shortbread?

Rice Flour is what helps to give Shortbread its ‘shortness’. You can leave it out, simply substitute with the same amount of plain flour.

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Watch How to Make this Shortbread Recipe here:

You might also enjoy these recipes:

  • Three Ingredient Shortbread
  • Trifle
  • Almond Shortbread
  • Christmas Fudge
  • Gingerbread Recipe
  • White Chocolate Shortbread

Easy Thermomix Shortbread Recipe (9)

Easy Thermomix Shortbread Recipe

This easy Thermomix Shortbread recipe requires just FIVE ingredients and it will become your new favourite Christmas recipe!

4.13 from 71 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Course Biscuits, Snacks

Cuisine Australian

Servings 36 pieces

Calories 59 kcal

Equipment

  • 2x Baking Trays

  • Thermomix

Ingredients

  • 250 grams butter softened
  • 125 grams caster sugar
  • 25 grams rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 375 grams plain flour

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 190 degrees celsius (fan-foced) and line two trays with baking paper.

  • Place the butter, sugar and rice flour into your Thermomix bowl and mix for 1 minutes, speed 3.

  • Scrape down the sides of your bowl and add the vanilla extract. Mix for a further 30 seconds, speed 3 or until the mixture is pale and creamy.

  • Add the plain flour and mix for 2 minutes on the dough function to bring the mixture together.

  • Transfer the shortbread mixture to a Thermomat and gently knead it into a ball – at this point I split my ball into two and place one in the fridge, covered in cling wrap.

  • Roll the other ball until apron 1cm thick and use cookie cutter to make desired shapes.

  • Bake in oven for approx 12 minutes until edges start to turn a golden brown

  • Allow the shortbread to cool on the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Conventional Method

  • Preheat your oven to 190 degrees celsius (fan-forced) and line two trays with baking paper.

  • Place the softened butter, caster sugar and rice flour into the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on a high speed for 4 – 5 minutes or until pale and creamy.

  • Add the vanilla extract and mix for 30 seconds to combine.

  • With the mixer running on a low speed, gradually add the flour until all used and a soft dough begins to form.

  • Transfer the shortbread mixture to your bench (or a Thermomat) and gently knead it into a ball – at this point I split my ball into two and place one in the fridge, covered in cling wrap.

  • Roll the other ball until apron 1cm thick and use cookie cutter to make desired shapes.

  • Bake in oven for approx 12 minutes until edges start to turn a golden brown

  • Allow the shortbread to cool on the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

You will find conventional cooking instructions for this recipe here.

  • I used butter which has been bought to room temperature, if your butter is still quite cool, it will talk longer to combine with the sugar and rice flour.
  • Once your dough is shaped into a ball, I cut it in half and pop one half into the fridge until I’m ready to use it.
  • If you are making this recipe in a warm climate, you may like to pop the ball into the fridge for 30 minutes to chill.
  • To make it easier to cut and lift the shortbread, roll it out onto a piece of baking paper and use a metal egg flip to transfer to your tray.
  • You can make any size/shape shortbread that you like. For this recipe I have used an 8cm wide cutter. If you are using a smaller cutter you will need to check your shortbread sooner – I would suggest at 5 minutes.
  • To store, place into an airtight container and enjoy within 10 days.
  • Once cooked, this Shortbread is freezer friendly.

Nutrition

Serving: 0gCalories: 59kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 8mgPotassium: 21mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 11IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and tag me on Instagram! Mention @createbakemake or tag #createbakemake!

Looking for even more?

You can find even more easy Thermomix recipes in our books and eBooks, shop the range here.

Easy Thermomix Shortbread Recipe (10)
Easy Thermomix Shortbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to making good shortbread? ›

Tips To Make the Best Shortbread Cookies
  • Choose High Quality Butter. No matter what brand of butter you buy, if it's real butter, you can rest assured that it's the best. ...
  • Keep Ingredients Simple. ...
  • Add Flavor. ...
  • Don't Overwork. ...
  • Shape Dough. ...
  • Chill Before Baking. ...
  • Bake Until Golden. ...
  • Add Finishing Touches.

What is the mistake in making shortbread? ›

According to Edelman, there are some common mistakes home bakers make, including:
  1. Overmixing the dough and making it too tough to work with.
  2. Adding too much flour to the countertop when rolling the dough, causing the dough to dry up.
  3. Not adding enough coarse sugar to the top of the sugar cookies.
Dec 3, 2020

What happens if you put too much butter in shortbread? ›

Greasy mess: Extra butter means more fat, making the dough greasy and difficult to handle. Spreading like crazy: Cookies lose their shape, spreading thin and flat instead of staying nice and round. Uneven baking: The excess fat can burn easily on the edges while leaving the center undercooked.

Why is my shortbread not crunchy? ›

If your butter and flour ratio is off, your shortbread may have the wrong texture. Butter is key, it contains a large percentage of water, and that water develops the gluten structure which gives strength and crunch to the biscuit.

Should you chill shortbread before baking? ›

After shaping the cookies, don't rush to the oven! Instead, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or so (overnight is OK, too). A short stay in the fridge will firm up the cookies and solidify the butter. This will help keep them from spreading too much.

What is the difference between Scottish shortbread and regular shortbread? ›

Traditional Scottish shortbread is a simple recipe made with sugar, butter, flour, and salt. Other shortbread styles will include leavening agents like baking powder and baking soda, which makes them crisp instead of crumbly like traditional Scottish shortbread.

What happens if you don't chill shortbread dough? ›

But in this shortbread cookie recipe, it really makes a difference. Chilling the dough helps the cookies hold their shape. If you don't chill your shortbread dough, the cookies will spread as they bake.

Why is shortbread unhealthy? ›

Why is shortbread considered to be bad for you? Shortbread is considered unhealthy because of the high butter content. How long do gingerbread houses last before eating them could make you sick?

Should the butter be cold when making shortbread? ›

If it's too warm, the butter and sugar cannot properly cream and the cookies will taste dense. Many shortbread recipes call for cold butter worked into the dry ingredients and that gives you a wonderfully flaky cookie but if not mixed properly, the results can be inconsistent.

Why do you put holes in shortbread? ›

The word "bread" comes from "biscuit bread" which was made from leftover bread dough that was sweetened and dried out in the oven to make biscuits. Why do you poke holes in shortbread? The holes allow the moisture to escape during baking and more even heat distribution. This helps dry out and crisp up the cookies.

Is shortbread meant to be soft when it comes out of the oven? ›

If the shortbread has been properly mixed and kneaded and has risen after baking at the right temperature at the right time. It should be a nice golden colour but will be soft when removed from the oven so until it has cooled and hardened it cannot be judged.

Why do you put shortbread in the fridge before baking? ›

Why do you put shortbread cut-out cookies in the fridge before baking? This is to resolidify the butter. The butter is at room temperature when making the dough resulting in a soft dough. If baked straight away, the butter would melt away immediately when hitting the hot oven and the shortbread would spread.

Why is my shortbread raw in the middle? ›

There are a variety of reasons why the shortbread could be damp underneath but it is most likely that either the dough is being pressed out too thickly, the pan is not metal so heats up too slowly, or the oven temperature is too high causing the top to brown before the bottom has cooked sufficiently.

Can you over mix shortbread? ›

It's important to avoid over-mixing shortbread dough, which will develop gluten and make the finished product tough, not tender. To make sure that the flour mixes completely with little effort, sift the flour first to get out all of the lumps.

Can you over bake shortbread? ›

For example, using an oven temperature that's too high or baking your shortbread for too long can make your cookies unpleasantly bitter.

Should butter be cold for shortbread? ›

Fine Cooking explains that the butter should be at refrigerator temperature. While many cookie recipes call for softened butter or at room temperature, if your butter isn't cold when making shortbread, it's likely to turn out greasy or be difficult to roll out.

Why do you put cornstarch in shortbread? ›

Making shortbread cookies with cornstarch is necessary for a tender and delicate cookie. Next time you make chocolate chip cookies, I suggest you try adding 1 Tbsp of cornstarch to the batch to help keep them extra soft and tender.

Should shortbread be crunchy or soft? ›

Your shortbread should be crisp but crumbly. The key with shortbread is not to overhandle it. Make the dough exactly as instructed, but don't mess around making shapes or over rolling the dough - you will end up with delicious but tough biscuits.

Should butter be hard or soft for shortbread? ›

Just make sure you are using soft, room temperature butter and you are measuring your flour correctly! The finished shortbread dough will be a crumbly texture, but when you start to form it together with your hands, it should come together just fine. (The heat of your hands will help with this!)

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