Shortbread vs Sugar Cookies vs Butter Cookies

Published on December 10th, 2024

TYPICAL HOLIDAY COOKIES, FROM THE TENDER AND CRUMBLY TO THE DENSE AND DECORATED

It’s officially the holidays! And what better way to celebrate than with freshly baked cookies? You’ll most likely find holiday cookies in one of three varieties: shortbread cookies, butter cookies, and sugar cookies. They all have similar ingredients, though in different amounts, and some are decorated while others are not. Here’s how to tell the difference between the three types of cookies.

What is shortbread?

Modern shortbread is a tender, crumbly cookie. But when the treat was first invented in 12th-century Scotland, it was actually made of bread. According to Historic UK, leftover bread dough was baked in a low-temperature oven until it got hard. At that point, it was called “biscuit bread.” As the recipe evolved, the yeast in the bread dough was gradually replaced with butter or another type of fat, leading to the cookie we know today. Shortbread Christmas cookies have a larger amount of fat than flour, which is what’s considered a “short” dough, and gives the cookie its delectable consistency.

What is the difference between shortbread cookies and sugar cookies?

Sugar cookies have more flour than fat, which is the opposite of shortbread, which has more fat than flour. They differ in how they’re presented, as well. Shortbread cookies are usually just dusted with powdered sugar or served plain. Sugar cookies, though, tend to be rolled out, cut into shapes, and decorated with icing.

Are shortbread cookies the same as butter cookies?

Shortbread cookies and butter cookies are fairly similar, but the ingredient ratios are a bit different. Butter cookies have more flour and sugar than shortbread. That means that the cookies will hold their shape better than shortbread, which leans toward the crumblier side. Butter cookies are also stronger than shortbread, and are great for rolling out to cut into shapes. These cookies also come from a different part of the world. Butter cookies originated in the late 1800s in Denmark, though no one really knows the actual story of their creation.

What is the difference between a shortbread cookie and a Scottish shortbread cookie?

There is actually no difference at all between a shortbread cookie and a Scottish shortbread cookie — because shortbread is a Scottish creation. That being said, Irish shortbread and Scottish shortbread are different. Irish shortbread has a different ratio of butter to sugar, and also replaces some flour with a bit of cornstarch to make a denser cookie.

What is considered a sugar cookie?

A sugar cookie has only five ingredients: butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and either baking soda or baking powder. Some bakers toss in a bit of vanilla extract for extra flavor as well. When you see cookies at the store that are cut out and decorated, they’re most likely Christmas sugar cookies because the dough is sturdy enough to be rolled out and cut into shapes, which generally hold their form while baking. Because there’s more flour than butter in the recipe, there’s a firmer consistency.

What is another name for a sugar cookie?

Sugar cookies haven’t always been known by that name. When the modern sugar cookie was invented in the mid-1700s, they were called Nazareth cookies. That’s because they were made in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, by German settlers. The cookies weren’t round to begin with, either. They were shaped like keystones, which is the official emblem of Pennsylvania. And across the pond, they have another name as well. So, what are sugar cookies called in the UK? Cookies in the UK are generally called “biscuits,” so residents there call sugar cookies “sugar biscuits.”

Tips for new bakers

Sugar cookies and shortbread are both relatively easy to make — though they each have their challenges. Start with shortbread. It’s made in a pan and you don’t have to roll the dough or cut the cookies out. You do need to get the butter to a temperature that’s between room temperature and melted, though, which can be a little complicated. For sugar cookies, they’re easier to mix, but if you want more than just circles, you’ll need to roll out the dough, cut it into shapes, and decorate the cookies with icing.

Goldbelly has a selection of the best shortbread cookies to buy — as well as a fabulous selection of sugar cookies and other Christmas cookies that can be sent as gifts — that can be delivered directly to your loved one’s door.