Shortbread fingers
Shortbread fingers are deliciously buttery, traditional Scottish bake. With only 3 ingredients, they couldn’t be easier for kids and beginner bakers to make.
Shortbread fingers are a deliciously simple Scottish bake. This traditional recipe, is so easy, they’re perfect for baking with kids.
With only 3 ingredients these shortbread fingers couldn’t be easier. And because you make this shortbread in a tin, there’s no danger of ‘overworking the dough’ meaning you can be sure the shortbread fingers are buttery, crumbly and delicious.
This is the easiest way of making shortbread with children as you don’t need to form any actual biscuits so there’s no rolling or cutting involved. The shortbread gets baked in a tin and later cut into fingers. It really couldn’t be simpler.
How can kids help to make shortbread fingers?
As I’ve said before this is a great shortbread recipe for kids to get involved with, as there’s no rolling or cutting involved.
Your kids can help measure the (3) ingredients out before mixing them together. Forming the fingers couldn’t be easier. Simply get your kids to pour the shortbread dough into a baking tin and press it in place. Cut the fingers out while they’re still warm from the oven to stop them falling apart.
Why is it called shortbread?
Shortbread gets its name from it’s short and crumbly texture. In the baking world things are known as ‘long’ when they are stretchy (as in bread), whereas the butter in shortbread gives it a high fat content which stops the gluten forming long strands (unlike in bread), making it lovely and crumbly and ‘short’. Shortcrust pastry is so called for the same reason.
Why is Scotland famous for shortbread?
Shortbread originated in Scotland perhaps as far back as the 12th Century. It would have gone through a few iterations beforehand, but Mary Queen of Scots is often credited with shortbread as we know it now.
Today shortbread is often associated with Christmas or Hogmanay in Scotland, so these would make the perfect homemade gift during the festive season.
How long do shortbread fingers last?
Shortbread fingers will last for a week or so in an air tight container at room temperature. If you want to keep it for longer, you can freeze them. Wrap them individually in cling film and pop them in a freezer bag.
Make sure you defrost them fully before you serve them.
Other Scottish biscuits
If you loved these shortbread fingers you’ll love these other Scottish bakes:
Scottish shortbread
Millionaire’s shortbread (caramel shortbread)
Empire biscuits
Melting moments
Mars bar slice
Oat cakes
Chocolate chip shortbread
Potato scones
Useful equipment
You might need the following baking tools/gadgets to make these shortbread fingers:
Digital scales
Measuring cups
Mixing bowl
Baking tin
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.. You will not be charged anything extra for this. Please refer to my Privacy Policy Page for more details.
Ingredients
200g butter (softened)
100g caster sugar
300g plain / all-purpose flour
How to make shortbread fingers
Preheat your oven to 160C / 140C Fan / 320F and grease and line a square baking tin with baking or parchment paper.
We find the easiest way of lining a tin is to cut a strip the width of the tin and place it in in one direction, then repeat this step in the other direction.
Mix the butter and sugar together
Get your kids to measure the butter and sugar out and add them to a mixing bowl. Make sure your butter is soft, otherwise it will be hard to mix in. If it’s not soft, cut it into a few pieces and pop it in the microwave for a few seconds. Don’t heat it for long enough for it to melt, it just needs to soften.
Mix the butter and sugar together with wooden spoons or a hand held mixer until they are well combined.
Add the flour
Measure the flour out and add it to your mixing bowl. Mix it in, starting with wooden spoons until it comes together and there no lumps of flour showing.
You might need to use your hands towards the end to bring it together.
Make the shortbread fingers
Tip the shortbread dough into your prepared baking tin, and get your kids to help press it down. Make sure you press it firmly into the corners/edges.
Get a fork and neatly prick the unbaked shortbread in lines.
Bake the shortbread fingers
Bake the shortbread for 20-25 minutes. It’s ready when the edges are starting to turn golden brown.
Remove the baking tin from the oven and cut the shortbread into fingers straight away. Don’t wait for it to cool down before cutting it or the fingers will crack and break. Once you’ve cut them, leave the shortbread to cool in the tin.
Once cooled, carefully remove the shortbread fingers from the tin.
Serve and enjoy.
Shortbread fingers
Ingredients
- 200 g (1 cup) butter softened
- 100 g (½ cup) caster sugar
- 300 g (1 + ¾ cups) plain / all-purpose flour
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 160C / 140C Fan / 320F and grease and line a square baking tin with baking or parchment paper.
Mix the butter and sugar together
- Measure the butter and sugar out and add them to a mixing bowl. Make sure your butter is soft, otherwise it will be hard to mix in. I
- Mix the butter and sugar together with wooden spoons or a hand held mixer until they are well combined
Add the flour
- Measure the flour out and add it to your mixing bowl. Mix it in, starting with wooden spoons until it comes together and there no lumps of flour showing.
- You might need to use your hands towards the end to bring it together.
Make the shortbread fingers
- Tip the shortbread dough into your prepared baking tin, press it down. Make sure you press it firmly into the corners/edges.
- Get a fork and neatly prick the unbaked shortbread in lines.
Bake the shortbread fingers
- Bake the shortbread for 20-25 minutes. It's ready when the edges are starting to turn golden brown.
- Remove the baking tin from the oven and cut the shortbread into fingers straight away. Don't wait for it to cool down before cutting it or the fingers will crack and break. Once you've cut them, leave the shortbread to cool in the tin.
- Once cooled, carefully remove the shortbread fingers from the tin.
Similar recipes
If you liked these shortbread fingers, you’ll love our other easy cookies and biscuits as well as our favourite easy bakes for kids.
Leave a Reply