If you’ve followed Bake It Fat and Weird for a while, you know we’re famous for our giant, overstuffed cookies — from Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cookies to Gochujang Caramel creations. But recently, Starbucks reached out with a surprising request:
“Can you give us a price quote on a shortbread cookie?”
Shortbread is the opposite of what we usually make, but when Starbucks calls, you answer. This blog post takes you behind the scenes of our shortbread cookie test batch, and yes, we’re sharing the recipe so you can try it too.
Why Shortbread for Starbucks?
Starbucks was looking for a small, embossed cookie (less than 1.5 inches in diameter), nothing stuffed, nothing loaded with fillings. Just classic, buttery shortbread with their logo stamped on top.
It was a challenge, but also a fun opportunity. Shortbread is one of the simplest cookies to make, but nailing that crisp, tender texture takes a little care.
The Recipe: Buttery Vanilla Cookies
We adapted this version from our live video test batch. It’s rich, crisp, and melts in your mouth.
Ingredients (all in grams):
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89g Unsalted Butter (room temperature)
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60g Powdered Sugar
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142g All-Purpose Flour
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2g Salt
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7g Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
1️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar
Mix the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy.
2️⃣ Add Vanilla
Blend in the vanilla extract.
3️⃣ Add Salt
Mix in the salt until combined.
4️⃣ Incorporate Flour
Gradually stir in the flour until a dough forms.
5️⃣ Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes.
6️⃣ Cut & Shape
Roll out the dough and cut into small cookies. If desired, stamp with a design before baking.
7️⃣ Bake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake on a lined sheet for about 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
8️⃣ Cool & Finish
Cool for 5 minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy the creamy, buttery goodness.
Testing & Tweaking for Starbucks
We used a custom-made stamp to press the Starbucks logo into our cookies. Some held the detail well, others not so much — but that’s the nature of shortbread stamping. We learned that chilling the dough thoroughly and stamping before baking gave the cleanest results.
Will Starbucks Pick Our Cookie?
We don’t know yet — it’s a competitive bid and other companies are set up for large-scale embossed cookie production. But even if we don’t win the contract, we’re happy to have this recipe in our back pocket.
Final Thoughts
Whether you make these for a coffee pairing, a holiday platter, or just because you love butter, this shortbread cookie recipe is easy, elegant, and delicious. And if Starbucks ends up serving it nationwide? Well, you heard about it here first.
Watch the full shortbread cookie test here: YouTube Video Link
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