Shortcrust Pastry Cookies

Name: Shortcrust Pastry Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Total time: 34 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 4.4 cups; Butter cold from the fridge 1.1 cups; Powdered sugar 1.67 cups; Eggs 2; Lemon peel to taste

it de es fr br

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 14 min
Serving: 15
Cost: Low
Note + chilling time in the fridge (30 min.)

PRESENTATION

Shortcrust cookies, or biscotti di pasta frolla as they're so lovingly called in Italy, are totally the kind of snack that gets the whole family excited. I mean, in Italian kitchens, these shortbread cookies often pop up whenever people gather. For breakfast, a quick snack, or just to share some laughs over coffee? You bet. The dough is pretty simple—just a few quality ingredients like butter, flour, and sugar—which makes them a top pick when you want something tender and sweet without any fuss. People love how these cookies turn out: golden on the edges, almost crispy but still melt-in-your-mouth soft, just like you’d find in homes from the north down to the south of Italy. Kids often help cut out the shapes, adding their own touch before everything gets popped in the oven—and that's half the fun right there. It’s one of those easy cookie recipes perfect for a lazy afternoon. And listen, the smell alone draws everyone into the kitchen.

Here's the thing, traditions around butter cookies and shortcrust treats run deep across the country, with each region adding a local twist. Some folks toss in a bit of lemon zest for a fresh kick, while others sprinkle chocolate chips or a dusting of sugar on top. No matter the variation, you end up with moist, sweet cookies that pair perfectly with a hot drink or as a little treat after dinner. Italian families often bake these homemade cookies together, sharing favorite tricks and swapping ideas for new shapes or fillings. There’s something really satisfying, really, about sharing a batch of these classic cookie recipes, knowing they’re made with care and quality ingredients. And you know what? People even pack them up as gifts or bring them to parties—everyone appreciates a plate of homemade biscotti di pasta frolla. For anyone who enjoys easy cookie recipes, these are an excellent place to start. The process is relaxed, the results are tender, and you get to savor that simple pleasure Italian baking is all about. Whether it's a holiday or just a regular day, these cookies bring a bit of Italian warmth and joy into every home.

How to prepare Shortcrust Pastry Cookies

To prepare the shortcrust pastry cookies, first place the flour in a mixer 1 along with the cold butter from the fridge cut roughly into cubes 2. Blend intermittently to avoid warming the butter too much, until you achieve a sandy consistency. Add the powdered sugar 3 and blend for a very short time.

Add the eggs 4 and the grated lemon zest 5, then blend very quickly, just enough to combine the ingredients. Transfer the dough to the work surface and knead it with your hands as quickly as possible, just enough to achieve a smooth and homogeneous dough ball 6.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or a freezer bag 7, place it in the fridge and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. After this time, take the dough out and divide it into 4 parts, so it's easier to handle 8. Roll out sheets with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 0.39 inches (1 cm) 9.

Cut out the cookies using your chosen cookie cutters: with these amounts, we got about 60 flowers with a diameter of 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm) 10. The scraps can be re-formed into a dough ball, but you'll need to let it rest in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before working with it. Arrange the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper 11 and bake in a fan oven at 356°F (180°C) for 12-14 minutes or until golden. Your shortcrust pastry cookies are ready, let them cool and decorate as you like 12!

Storage

Shortcrust pastry cookies can be stored in a closed container at room temperature for up to a week.

Advice

You can flavor the shortcrust pastry dough as you prefer: with grated orange zest, or with the seeds of a vanilla bean or other spices like cinnamon.

You can decorate the cookies with powdered sugar or dip them in melted dark chocolate and then decorate with sprinkles and sugar pearls!

Try making the cookies with other shortcrust pastry variations, such as Soft Shortcrust Pastry, Frolla Milano, or Whole wheat shortcrust pastry.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Shortcrust Pastry Cookies

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Shortcrust Pastry Cookies

Storage

Advice

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