Melt Away Cookies

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

These whipped shortbread cookies are light, buttery, and melt in your mouth. Made with just four basic ingredients, they can be customized with various toppings and flavors.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:11:52 GMT
A plate of decorative, round cookies topped with colorful sprinkles. Pin it
A plate of decorative, round cookies topped with colorful sprinkles. | recipesbyclare.com

Every time I make these whipped shortbread cookies my kitchen fills with the most amazing buttery aroma. They're my go to recipe when I want something simple yet completely irresistible. With just four ingredients they transform into the lightest fluffiest cookies that literally melt in your mouth. It's pure magic how something so simple becomes so special.

What Makes These Extra Special

I fell in love with these cookies because they're just perfectly sweet and impossibly light. The way they practically dissolve when you bite into them is absolutely dreamy. Plus they're so versatile you can dress them up or keep them beautifully simple. They never fail to make people smile.

Your Shopping List

  • Butter: Get the good unsalted stuff and let it soften naturally.
  • Confectioners' Sugar: Half a cup makes them perfectly sweet.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Measure with care it makes all the difference.
  • Cornstarch: My secret weapon for that melt away texture.

Let's Make Some Cookies

Start with the basics:
Whip that butter and sugar until it's light as clouds takes a few minutes but worth every second.
Mix with care:
Gently blend in your flour and cornstarch until everything comes together beautifully.
Time to chill:
Pop your dough in the fridge it helps create the perfect texture.
Shape with love:
Roll into sweet little balls give them another quick chill in the freezer.
The finishing touch:
Press your pretty patterns add some sparkle if you like then into the oven they go.

My Best Cookie Tips

Take your time with the butter temperature it needs to be just right. That double chill might seem fussy but it makes such a difference in how they turn out. And remember gentle mixing is key we want them light and tender.

Make Them Your Own

I love playing with different flavors sometimes adding vanilla or almond extract makes them extra special. During the holidays I'll top them with festive sprinkles or even press a chocolate kiss on top while they're still warm.

Pure Cookie Magic

There's something so special about how these cookies just melt away. They're different from your typical cookie softer lighter more delicate. That first bite always brings a look of pure joy to people's faces.

Keep Them Perfect

If your cookies ever spread too much remember it's usually about temperature. Keep everything nice and cool and they'll turn out beautifully every time. Store them in a sealed container and they'll stay lovely for a week if they last that long.

A plate of delicately shaped, frosted cookies with colorful sprinkles on top. Pin it
A plate of delicately shaped, frosted cookies with colorful sprinkles on top. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why whip the butter and sugar so long?

Extended beating time creates a light, airy texture in the cookies. This is crucial for achieving the melt-in-your-mouth quality these cookies are known for.

→ Can I freeze these cookies?

Yes, both baked and unbaked cookies freeze well. Unbaked dough balls can go straight from freezer to oven, just add an extra minute to baking time.

→ Why is the dough chilling step important?

Chilling firms up the dough, preventing spreading during baking and ensuring the cookies hold their shape. This helps maintain their tender texture.

→ How can I add more flavor?

Try adding extracts like vanilla, lemon, or orange. You can also top with chocolate kisses, cherries, or fill with jam before baking.

→ Why use cornstarch in the recipe?

Cornstarch helps create the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these cookies special. It also helps prevent gluten formation.

Whipped Shortbread

Light, airy shortbread cookies whipped to perfection. These buttery treats melt in your mouth and can be customized with various toppings.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 36 Servings (36 cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature, salted.
02 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar.
03 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour.
04 3/4 cup cornstarch.
05 2 teaspoons extract (vanilla, lemon, or orange) - optional.
06 1/4 cup sprinkles of choice - optional.

Instructions

Step 01

Beat butter and sugar for 3-4 minutes until very light. Add extract if using.

Step 02

Mix in sifted flour and cornstarch just until combined.

Step 03

Form into 36 equal balls, place on lined tray, press tops with fork, add sprinkles if using.

Step 04

Refrigerate dough balls for 2 hours or freeze until firm.

Step 05

Heat oven to 300°F and bake for 19-20 minutes until tops look set.

Step 06

Let cookies cool completely on baking tray.

Notes

  1. Can be stored at room temp for 1 week.
  2. Freezes well up to 2 months.
  3. Can be topped with chocolate, kisses, or jam.

Tools You'll Need

  • Hand or stand mixer.
  • Baking tray.
  • Parchment paper.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter).
  • Wheat (flour).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 66
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 4 g
  • Protein: 1 g