What is Shortbread?

Shortbread is a rich type of biscuit (cookie) made with one part sugar, two parts butter and three parts flower.  They are usually patterned with the prongs of a fork prior to baking and when cooling they are sprinkled with sugar.

The best shortbread is firm and crumbly with a rich buttery taste - perfect with a good cup of tea.

Shortbread has been baked in Scotland since medieval times.  It is traditionally baked in a circle and cut into triangles - sometimes referred to as "petticoat tails".  Stockan's of Orkney and Walkers still make them this way.  Other variations are fingers and shortbread rounds.

The circle shape is rumored to be a leftover from New Year Sun Cakes that represent the rays of the sun (parts of Scotland has close ties to pagan rituals - think of all those stone circles).

Shortbread gets its name from "shortening" an old-fashioned name for fats - such as butter - one of the key ingredients. Shortcrust pastry is another example of this name as it also has butter as one of its main ingredients.

Historically Shortbread was made with oatmeal (oatcakes and porridge, both Scottish favourites are made from oatmeal) but are now commonly made with wheat flour.

Which brand?

Many companies produce mouth-watering shortbread and shortcake - Walkers is perhaps the most well-known. If you have a favourite that is widely available in the UK please let us know and we will buy some and ship it to you.

Request some Shortbread from the British Gopher now.

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