Best Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipes

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla with spoon. Stir in flour. (If dough is crumbly, mix in 1 to 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened.)
• Roll dough 1/2 inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut into small shapes by hand or use cookie cutters. Place 1/2 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until set and bottoms are light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and shortening uncovered on High 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted; stir until smooth. Dip half of each cooled cookie into melted chocolate. Place on waxed paper until chocolate is set.

SALTED CHOCOLATE CHUNK SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the butter, both sugars and vanilla on medium-high till it's super light and fluffy (3 to 5 minutes for a stand mixer; 6 to 8 for a hand mixer). Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and, with the mixer on low, slowly add the flour, followed by the chocolate chunks, and mix just to blend. If necessary, knead the dough with your hands to make sure the flour is totally incorporated. At this point, the dough should be smooth and feel like Play-Doh with no pockets of flour.
• Divide the dough in half, placing each half on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic over so that it covers the dough to protect your hands from getting all sticky. Using your hands, form the dough into a log shape; rolling it on the counter will help you smooth it out, but don't worry about getting it totally perfect. (Don't be afraid to make them compact. Shortbread is supposed to be dense. That's part of why it's so good.) You can also do this using parchment paper, if you prefer, but plastic wrap is easier when it comes to shaping the log. Each half should form a 6-inch log, 2 to 2¼ inches in diameter. Chill until totally firm, about 2 hours.
• Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the outside of the logs with the beaten egg and roll them in the demerara sugar (this is for those really delicious, crisp edges).
• Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each log into ½-inch-thick rounds (if you hit a chocolate chunk, slowly saw back and forth through the chocolate). If the cookies break or fall apart, just press them back together - the dough is very forgiving. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 1 inch apart (they won't spread much). Sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake until the edges are just beginning to brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating them all.

CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Mix flour and cocoa powder together in a bowl.
• Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar and vanilla extract; mix well. Mix in flour mixture gradually, 1/2 cup at a time, until incorporated; dough will resemble damp sand.
• Press dough firmly into a 9x13-inch baking pan. Cut into 1x2-inch rectangles. Prick each rectangle a few times lightly with a fork.
• Bake in the preheated oven until top looks dry and edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool before lifting out of the pan.

TINA'S SHORTBREAD CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In a medium bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, then stir in the walnuts and chocolate chips.
• Roll or scoop dough into walnut sized balls. Place them on unprepared cookie sheets 1 1/2 inches apart. Flatten cookies slightly. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until light golden brown. Remove from sheets to cool on racks.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED ORANGE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Combine flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons orange zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add butter and beat until mixture resembles crumbs and starts to stick together. Work until dough sticks together and forms a smooth ball that is not sticky, adding milk if mixture is too dry. Press into a disk shape and wrap in wax paper. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Lightly flour a clean countertop. Roll dough to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and place on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake cookies in the preheated oven until bottoms are lightly golden, 18 to 22 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Line the countertop with wax paper. Dip tops of cookies into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip back into the bowl. Place cookies on the wax paper and immediately sprinkle tops with remaining 1 tablespoon orange zest. Let dry.

MINI CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix flour, butter, sugar, and vanilla extract in a bowl until dough is smooth. Reserve 1/4 the chocolate chips; stir remaining chips into dough until evenly distributed. Roll dough into 24 small logs and place a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until slightly golden around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool in baking sheet for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack.
• Melt shortening in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; stir in reserved chocolate chips until melted, about 5 minutes. Dip cookies into chocolate and return to baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, pink pepper and salt. Set aside.
• Place the butter and 1/3 cup sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks and beat for an additional minute. In two additions, add the flour mixture, beating on low speed until just combined between additions. Pulse in the dried cherries and chocolate chips.
• Place a piece of plastic wrap on a clean, dry surface. Transfer the cookie dough to the plastic wrap, form into a 2-inch-wide log, and wrap tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Using a sharp, thin knife, cut the log into 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Set the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart, and sprinkle evenly with the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar.
• Bake until just set, 25 minutes. Cool the cookies completely on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack.

CHOCOLATE CHIP-OATMEAL SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, baking soda, vanilla and oats. Stir in chocolate chips.
• On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart.
• Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Cream butter and sugar, add flour and vanilla.
• Pinch of 1/2" balls of dough, roll in sugar and place on cookie sheet.
• Use the tines of a fork to flatten cookies.
• Bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
• Remove from baking sheet, cool 10-15 minutes.
• Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate.
• Chill to set chocolate.

CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREAD COOKIES I

Steps:

• With an electric beater, mix together the butter or margarine and the confectioners' sugar.
• Sift together the flour and the corn starch and mix in gradually in the butter mixture. Add the chocolate chips.
• Shape dough into little balls of approximately 1 1/4 inch in diameter. Put on a non-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 330 degrees F (170 degrees C) for approximately 20 minutes.

GHIRARDELLI DOUBLE CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer* fitted with a paddle attachment on low speed just until blended and creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. With mixer running on low speed, gradually add flour and cocoa and beat until dough comes together, about 1 minute, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in 2 cups chocolate chips on low speed until just combined.
• Divide dough in half and roll each half into a compact 2-inch-thick log (about 8 inches long). Wrap each log in parchment paper or plastic wrap, and freeze just until firm (but not frozen solid), about 25 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove cookie dough logs from freezer and unwrap. Using a sharp serrated knife and a sawing motion, cut cookie dough into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. If rounds crumble slightly, press dough back together. Place rounds on prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
• Bake, 1 sheet at a time, in preheated oven until firm, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely on baking sheets, about 20 minutes.
• To decorate, place one 12-ounce package Ghirardelli semi-sweet chocolate chips in a medium microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 1 minute, stirring at 30-second intervals. Dip each cookie halfway into melted chocolate and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
• Refrigerate until chocolate has set, about 15 minutes.

CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Finely chop 6 ounces baking chocolate and set aside.
• Combine flour, cold butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and cocoa powder in a large bowl; beat until mixture resembles small crumbs. Stir in chopped chocolate, maraschino cherries, and almond extract until well combined.
• Pour 2 tablespoons sugar into a shallow bowl. Form cookie dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the sugar until coated. Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Use the bottom of a cup to flatten cookies to 1 1/2-inch rounds.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are firm, about 10 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Carefully transfer cookies to waxed paper; let cool completely, at least 1 hour.
• Heat remaining chocolate in a small pot, stirring occasionally, until melted. Add 1 tablespoon butter and milk; stir until mixture is melted and runs off a spoon with ease. Add another tablespoon of butter and milk if needed.
• Dip each cookie at least halfway into the melted chocolate mixture. Lay the dipped cookies back on the waxed paper. Let cool and harden for several hours.

CHOCOLATE SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, sift flour and cocoa together. Add coarse salt and set aside.
• With an electric mixer beat butter on medium speed for 3 to 5 minutes until fluffy. Add sugar and cacao nibs and continue to beat until very light in color, about 2 minutes more. Add the flour and cocoa mixture and combine on low speed, until flour is just incorporated and dough sticks together when squeezed with fingers.
• On a sheet of wax paper, pat and form the dough into a log about 12 to 14 inches long and 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. If you want a square or rectangular cookie rather than round, flatten each side of the log as you roll it up in the wax paper. Chill until firm, at least 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment. Remove the wax paper from the dough and slice the log into 1/4 inch thick slices. Lay cookies on lined baking sheets. Bake until firm, 17 to 20 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks. Can be stored in an airtight container for 3 to 4 weeks.

CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREAD COOKIES II

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 2 cups confectioners' sugar. Beat in the vanilla and coconut extracts and salt. Add flour one cup at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place them 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork dipped in confectioners' sugar.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until a light golden brown. While cookies are still warm from the oven, dust with the remaining confectioners' sugar.

ORANGE SHORTBREAD COOKIES WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter and flour large baking sheet. Whisk first 3 ingredients in medium bowl. Beat butter, sugar, orange peel, and orange extract in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in yolk, then cream. Add flour mixture; beat until dough comes together in moist clumps. Stir in chocolate chips.
• Drop dough by generous tablespoonfuls onto baking sheet, spacing 3/4 inch apart. Using moistened fingertips, flatten each to 1/2-inch-thick round. Bake cookies until golden, about 18 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

CHOCOLATE CHIP-OATMEAL SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, baking soda, vanilla and oats. Stir in chocolate chips.
• On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart.
• Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MINI CHOCOLATE CHIP SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees (set oven rack to second-lowest position).
• Prepare an ungreased cookie/baking sheet.
• In a medium bowl beat softened butter with vanilla using an electric mixer until fluffy (about 4 minutes).
• Add in confectioners sugar, cornstarch and flour; beat on low speed for about 1 minute, then on high speed for 3-4 minutes more.
• Add in the mini chocolate chips; mix to combine.
• Drop by spoonfuls about 2-inches apart on the baking sheet.
• Bake for about 10-12 minutes (watch that the edges don't brown too much).
• Cool completely on wire racks then lightly dust with confectioners sugar if desired.

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED PECAN SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. I suggest using a Kitchenaid (or other brand) stand mixer with a paddle attachment as this is a VERY stiff dough -- I don't suggest mixing it by hand ...either your hand will wear out or the wooden spoon will break.
• 2. Cream together sugar and butter--just until combined.
• 3. Add extracts and stir into butter/sugar mixture.
• 4. In separate bowl, whisk flour and salt together.
• 5. Add flour/salt mix to butter/sugar mix, a little at a time.
• 6. Add chopped pecans to dough and THOROUGHLY incorporate them. (I chopped them by hand).
• 7. Place reserved 1/2 cup of pecans in separate bowl.
• 8. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. By hand, roll each piece into a log (about 2-3 inches in diameter). Wrap each log, snugly, with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• 9. Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C).
• 10. Remove plastic wrap from dough log and slice into 3/8-inch - 1/2-inch thick slices.
• 11. Place sliced dough onto UNGREASED parchment-paper lined cookie sheet about 1/2 inch apart.
• 12. Bake for 15-20 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is cooked but NOT browned (see photo above).
• 13. After baking, gently transfer to cooling rack (they're VERY fragile at this stage), and cool completely. Once cooled, they are quite sturdy.
• 14. In microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate morsels (in 30-second increments, stirring after each increment)
• 15. Spread reserved, chopped pecans (or, if desired, sliced almonds) onto cookie sheet and return to oven for 5-10 min. until toasted. Watch them carefully so they don't burn. Then, place them in a bowl.
• 16. Coat cooled cookies 1/2-way with melted chocolate (front, back, and sides)--scraping off excess.
• 17. Roll chocolate-dipped cookies in toasted pecan pieces. Alternately, you can use sliced almonds, or crushed toffee pieces (Heath or Skor bars)...or, leave them plain or just dipped in chocolate if you like. When coated, return cookies to cooling rack to set.
• 18. Chill chocolate-dipped cookies for 20-30 min. in fridge to set chocolate before serving.
• 19. Store in airtight container (if you have any left).

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED MACADAMIA SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually stir in flour until well blended.
• Stir in macadamia nuts.
• Place dough on wax paper and shape into a roll two inches in diameter.
• Wrap in paper and foil and chill at least two hours or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Cut roll into slices approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
• Bake on ungreased baking sheet for 20 minutes or until cookies begin to brown.
• Remove from oven; cool on wire rack.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl melt chocolate chips (microwave works well) and stir in shortening.
• Mix well.
• Dip one end of each cookie into chocolate mixture and place on wax paper.
• Refrigerate cookies until chocolate hardens.
• Store in cool place.

DARK CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Sift together the dry ingredients (except the sugar) -- flour through espresso powder -- in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar, three to four tablespoons at a time beating well. Stir in dry ingredients by hand and beat just until blended.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Divide dough into three equal balls. Take the first ball, place it between two sheets of plastic wrap, and pat or roll out into a 5 1/2 inch disk. Place on the far side of your baking sheet. Lightly score the disk and mark out 8 triangular wedges.
• Repeat the patting, rolling and scoring for the other two disks, placing one on the other side of the first baking sheet and the third disk on the second baking sheet.
• Bake rounds for 23 minutes or until shortbread feels firm to the touch. Remove from the oven.
• Gently score each round again with a sharp knife following the lines you make on the dough. Slide parchment from baking sheets onto wire racks. Let shortbread cool completely on parchment. Cut shortbread into wedges along scored lines.
• Melt unsweetened chocolate baking bars separately in small bowls according to package directions. You can do this in a microwave or on the stove using a double boiler. Partially dip wide end of each shortbread wedge in unsweetened chocolate. Place on a wax paper-lined jelly-roll pan, and freeze briefly to set chocolate. (Alternately, if your house is cool you can let it set on it's own.)
• Melt the white chocolate. Then partially dip other half of wide end of each wedge in white chocolate. Alternately, you can place in a plastic bag and stripe the cookies. Freeze briefly to set white chocolate or allow to air dry.