Orgasmic Chef

for food better than sex

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beef
    • Bread
    • Breakfast
    • Candy
    • Casseroles
    • Cheese
    • Chicken
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Ethnic
    • fish/seafood
    • holidays
    • Ice Cream
    • lamb
    • Main Courses
    • Pasta
    • Pork
    • Preserves
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Snacks
    • Soup
    • Thermomix
    • Vegetables
  • Bucket List
  • Post Gallery
  • Great Blogs
  • EasyIndex
  • About Me
  • Contact

Scottish Shortbread Recipe

December 24, 2013 by Maureen 39 Comments

Shortbread Recipe

Well, it’s Christmas Eve and I’ve just gotten home from spending the day with my mother-in-law and I brought her some shortbread I’d made in my new mold.  Her ancestors are from Scotland and she loves shortbread.

I was the first visitor she’s had since she moved into care at a nursing home near us.  The staff at the home said she needed to settle in before receiving visitors and it’s tough to leave someone you love to go it alone.  I decided to go by myself because if she wasn’t in a good mood, better it be with the American daughter-in-law, right?

I was pleasantly surprised when she not only recognized me, she was over the moon that I was there.  We  had a lovely visit and I told her I’d go get the boys and take her shopping for new shoes.  Her daughter had sent her a lovely blouse and she had no shoes to wear with it.

Christmas Eve shopping is a nightmare but doing it with two oldies 88 and 93 is quite a feat.  John and I took turns looking after them, “You follow mum and I’ll wait for dad,” is how the afternoon went.

Scottish Shortbread

She found new shoes, we went out for coffee and sweets and then did a bit of grocery shopping before taking her home.  We all breathed a sigh of relief when she went happily to her room.  Everyone goes through this with an elderly parent at some point but it doesn’t make it easier at the time.  Nobody wants to be the one to break a parent’s heart by telling them that they can’t go home.

Tomorrow we’ll pick her up and she’ll have Christmas dinner with us.  We were going to have it with her at the home but when she was so pleasant, we decided to try bringing her to the house.  Of course I hadn’t planned anything, had I?  At 4:30 on Christmas Eve we were frantically buying a ham, turkey and big juicy prawns.  We’re all set for a lovely Christmas lunch.

Christmas in Australia is always hot and this year will be no different.  It will be cold ham, cole slaw, tossed salad, potato salad, cold turkey and prawns.  For dessert we’re having a pavlova topped with whipped cream, passionfruit and mango.  Oh, and we’ll have Christmas crackers – the kind you pull with hats inside.

Here’s my shortbread recipe.  If you don’t have a mould, you can form a round on a baking sheet covered with baking paper and bake for 24-30 minutes or until golden but not brown.  When you cut them into wedges they are known as petticoat tails.

Shortbread Recipe

5.0 from 6 reviews
Shortbread Recipe
 
Print
Prep time
10 mins
Cook time
30 mins
Total time
40 mins
 
Easy and delicious and always a favorite at Christmas time.
Author: Maureen Shaw
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Scottish
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces, 340 grams plain all-purpose flour
  • 4 ounces, 113 grams caster/super fine sugar
  • 8 ounces, 227 grams butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 160C/325F
  2. Mix the flour and sugar together in a large bowl, and then rub in the butter - as if you were making shortcrust pastry. Use the tips of your fingers and ensure that all the butter has been rubbed in -- it should resemble sand.
  3. Then start to knead the paste, pushing it together to form a smooth dough - the heat of your hands whilst kneading helps it form.
To Make Petticoat Tails Using a Mould
  1. If using a ceramic mould, spray lightly with cooking oil and then wipe out excess.
  2. Press shortbread mixture into the mould evenly.
  3. Prick with a fork to keep shortbread from bubbling.
  4. Bake for 30-35 minutes until pale and golden but not brown.
  5. After removing from the oven, run a sharp knife around the edges of the mould and invert onto a cooling rack. If you wish, you can sprinkle extra sugar on top while the shortbread is still hot.
  6. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting into wedges (petticoat tails) and leave for about 30 minutes to an hour before eating as they will be crumbly.
  7. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight tin or container and they will keep for 10-14 days. These also freeze very well.
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
3.2.2260

To all my dear, dear blogging friends.  Thank you for your friendship and I’m so grateful that you’ve come into my life and made it richer.  May this Christmas bring you joy, peace and happiness.

Filed Under: Cookies, Recipes Tagged With: christmas, cookies, shortbread

« Mini Cheeseball Appetizers
Easy Christmas Ham »

Comments

  1. Joanne T Ferguson says

    December 24, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    G’day and what beautiful shortbread and glad you could brighten your mother in law’s day Maureen, true!
    Yes, think anyone who has experienced and aging parent with health difficulties would today also be hugging you!
    Merry Christmas! Hope your day goes smooth and hope all enjoy!
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
  2. Food Stories says

    December 24, 2013 at 10:34 pm

    Great recipe – I’ve been making a lot of shortbread, lately – Happy Holidays!!!

    Reply
    • Vickie says

      January 31, 2022 at 12:37 am

      I made your shortbread two times now, and they are a hit. The second time I added pecans. Lovely.
      The story of your mum-in-law made me cry. You are a good DIL, Bless you.

      Reply
  3. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

    December 25, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Lovely shortbread, Maureen! It looks good enough to make Santa happy and yell Ho, Ho, Ho!!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

    Reply
  4. Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says

    December 25, 2013 at 1:30 am

    Merry Christmas Maureen, sounds like it’s going to be a great day for everyone at your house.

    Gorgeous shortbread – I’m totally addicted to the stuff – there must be Scottish blood somewhere in my ancestry 🙂

    Wishing you a thousand good things for 2014.

    Hester x

    Reply
  5. John@Kitchen Riffs says

    December 25, 2013 at 3:02 am

    Sounds like a lovely day! And I hope tomorrow is even better for all of you. After seeing your shortbread mold, I got one for Mrs K R for her birthday — a cookie type. Those things are great! Good recipe, fun post. Thanks to you for being you, and Merry Christmas to you, John, and the oldsters.

    Reply
  6. Roberta says

    December 25, 2013 at 3:32 am

    How wonderful you spent some time with your MIL for Christmas. So often the old and frail are forgotten at Christmas.

    I love shortbread. Never knew it was SO easy. I will have to try and make it some day soon.

    Merry Christmas, Maureen.

    Reply
  7. Claire @ Simply Sweet Justice says

    December 25, 2013 at 5:46 am

    You are wonderful, and this shortbread looks almost as wonderful as you. Merry Christmas, friend!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 26, 2013 at 11:13 pm

      LOL I’m not so wonderful. Read my reply to Charlie Louie above. 🙂

      Reply
  8. A_Boleyn says

    December 25, 2013 at 6:36 am

    I’m so glad your visit with your MIL went well, Maureen. My mom spent a lot of time in a post-hospital recovery/waiting to go ‘home’ unit with the sort of activities and schedule found in a nursing home before she actually went into one. She had been living with me and needed to be hospitalized again … a cycle of hospitalization and home that became more and more frequent. My brother and I were in fear of tearful pleas to come home especially as, though she knew my dad had passed away, she insisted that he was still at their bungalow in the country. Sometimes she thought she was still living at one of our old homes and he had been in the room. Luckily those incidents were few and brief and she was always comfortable and happy in the home on my visits. I’ll keep you and your family in my prayers.

    I’m so happy to see that you’ve got the hang of the shortbread mold. I’d love to have one with that thistle pattern.

    Reply
  9. Norma Chang says

    December 25, 2013 at 6:57 am

    So glad to learn that your MIL is adjusting well, I am sure it is very difficult for all. Have a wonderful family gathering tomorrow, sounds like you are going to have a delicious feast.

    Reply
  10. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    December 25, 2013 at 7:13 am

    Love shortbread and this one looks both pretty and delicious!

    Have a great holiday Maureen…Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  11. Celia says

    December 25, 2013 at 7:34 am

    Merry Christmas, Maureen! I’m so glad you’re bringing your MIL home, hope it all goes brilliantly for you! xxx

    Reply
  12. Lizzy (Good Things) says

    December 25, 2013 at 8:53 am

    Dearest Maureen, have a happy Christmas… best wishes for a peaceful day… hope you will get some rest at some stage, my friend xo

    Reply
  13. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

    December 25, 2013 at 8:59 am

    A beautiful shortbread Maureen! 😀 And isn’t that lovely that your MIL is coping well. That must be a huge relief for you and John 🙂 Merry Christmas my dear! xxx

    Reply
  14. Fran @ G'day Souffle' says

    December 25, 2013 at 8:00 pm

    Merry Christmas, Maureen, and Happy New Year! We just ate ham and cold duck for our Aussie Xmas meal, but I just couldn’t do without the homemade pumpkin pie- made it myself and ate two pieces!

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 26, 2013 at 11:12 pm

      I ran around like crazy making sure I’d covered everyone’s favorites and then realized I’d left myself out. So tomorrow I’m making pie!

      Reply
  15. Choc Chip Uru says

    December 25, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    I am super thrilled you had a good visit with the MIL 😀
    And hope your family and you had the incredible Christmas you deserve!

    Happy Holidays!
    CCU

    Reply
  16. Ramona says

    December 25, 2013 at 9:44 pm

    I would love to experience Christmas in Australia once in my lifetime to see a “summer Christmas”. Hope you had a lovely day. 🙂

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 26, 2013 at 11:11 pm

      I’ll get shot for this probably but it’s overrated. 🙂

      Reply
  17. ChgoJohn says

    December 25, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    How I’d love a piece of that shortbread! It looks really good, Maureen.
    I hope your Christmas went very well. I think it wonderful that you took advantage of your MIL’s good humor and created a Christmas celebration. May we all have such caring people in our lives when the time comes.
    I hope the rest of your holiday season is filled with much joy and peace.

    Reply
  18. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    December 26, 2013 at 12:20 am

    Merry Christmas, Maureen. I hope you and your family have a wonderful day.

    Reply
  19. ray says

    December 26, 2013 at 2:19 am

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🙂

    Reply
  20. David Crichton says

    December 26, 2013 at 4:27 am

    Looks perfect, can’t beat some homemade shortbread.

    Merry Christmas

    Reply
  21. Hotly Spiced says

    December 26, 2013 at 9:22 am

    You’ve been so busy, Maureen; all of that going on and the lead-up to Christmas. I’m glad to hear your MIL has settled in well. That was so good of you to take them shopping – you have more patience than me! Merry Christmas to you and John and the in-laws xx

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      December 26, 2013 at 11:10 pm

      LOL Oh no I don’t. 🙂 I do it because it’s the right thing to do but that doesn’t mean there aren’t times I want to punch them in the face. 🙂

      Reply
  22. Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says

    December 26, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    You sound so good managing the older parent challenges – it is a difficult scenario but there are ways to do it nicely and ways not to, and you clearly are doing all you can for the former!

    Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2014.

    Reply
  23. Dedy@Dentist Chef says

    December 26, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    I’m Happy for your mother in law my friend!
    I guess it’s a christmas warmth all about…….
    Merry christmas and happy holidays, God blessed you all the way!!!

    Reply
  24. Desiree Ricks says

    December 26, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Looking forward to reading through more. Excellent blog.Truly looking forward to find out more.

    Reply
  25. cquek says

    December 26, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    May this Christmas marks the beginning of a wonderful year for us. Have a joyous Christmas!

    Reply
  26. Hannah says

    December 27, 2013 at 1:42 am

    I’m so envious of these shortbread moulds that so many of you have been showcasing! So gorgeous.

    Merry Christmas Maureen!

    Reply
  27. suzanne Perazzini says

    December 27, 2013 at 6:27 am

    What a fun shopping trip! LOL. I can just imagine the scene. Elderly parents are a worry. I am so grateful that my mother now lives in a lovely apartment in a retirement village overlooking the sea. She is super happy there and when she deteriorates, there is the rest home section and also a hospital so she will never have to leave what has become her home. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! It decided to rain here after weeks of sunshine but it couldn’t dampen our spirits.

    Reply
  28. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    December 27, 2013 at 1:50 pm

    Shortbread is such a treat and I’d love to have such a pretty mould!

    Reply
  29. Abbe@This is How I Cook says

    December 27, 2013 at 3:29 pm

    Haven’t gotten to this point yet, but find myself comparing notes with friends that have. Very tough and I feel for you. But this shortbread would make any day go a bit sweeter! Hope you had a lovely christmas and that your MIL got to wear her new shoes!

    Reply
  30. Nuts about food says

    December 30, 2013 at 8:24 pm

    I think your mother in law is very lucky to have a daughter in law like you! What a sweet thought. I love shortbread and yours looks delicious (and beautiful).

    Reply
  31. Mary Frances says

    January 1, 2014 at 5:42 am

    Maureen!! I LOVE shortbread – and yours looks amazing!! (and you and John are ready for sainthood!)

    Reply
  32. Jeanette says

    January 7, 2014 at 3:37 am

    My Mother-in-law is also Scottish and after years she finally gave me the recipe for shortbread. Your sister was the shortbread queen and made the best! My Mother-in-law has given me the best compliment when she told me my shortbread was as good as Aunt Mary’s. I am truly honored! Could you please let me know where you can get those molds? Thank you! Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

    Reply
  33. zensky says

    July 28, 2014 at 3:31 pm

    hi Maureen ,would I be able to add macadamia (ground) to your shortbread receipe
    and how much, please, thanks.

    Reply
    • Maureen says

      July 29, 2014 at 10:51 pm

      I honestly don’t know as I’ve never tried it but I don’t know why it wouldn’t work.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe:  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe

Subscribe by email
Got It!
Please check your email to confirm.
Email:

Oops! That doesn't look like a valid email
First Name:

Please tell us your first name
Go!
Please wait
 Twitter Google Plus Facebook Pinterest Email  RSS Instagram

Previous Posts

 More ...

I’m on…

The Noblys 121 ultimate food blogs for 2018

Good Food Links

Blogs I love

Most Popular Posts

  • Flakey, buttery, biscuits Best Fluffy, Flakey, Buttery Biscuits Ever 452 comments
  • Best Banana Muffins The BEST Banana Muffins EVER 221 comments
  • how to make licorice ice cream Licorice Ice Cream 163 comments
  • Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles Best Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles 152 comments
  • Eggless Sugar Cookies Eggless Sugar Cookies 143 comments

Our Other Projects

EasyIndex Plugin
EasyRecipe Plugin
Fooderific.com
Australia's Best Food Blogs
America's Best Food Blogs

Archives

Privacy

Orgasmic Chef Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress