Honey Butter Shortbread Cookies

Featured in: Sweet Bakes & Desserts

Enjoy the rich, buttery texture of shortbread enhanced with a subtle sweetness from honey. This treat offers a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience, perfect for pairing with tea or sharing as a thoughtful homemade gift. Made with simple ingredients like all-purpose flour, softened butter, powdered sugar, honey, and vanilla extract, the dough is rolled and cut before baking until lightly golden. Optional chilling before baking helps maintain shape, and small twists like drizzling honey or dipping in chocolate add extra indulgence.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 08:38:00 GMT
Golden, buttery Honey Butter Shortbread Cookies, perfectly baked and ready to enjoy with a cup of tea. Save
Golden, buttery Honey Butter Shortbread Cookies, perfectly baked and ready to enjoy with a cup of tea. | pulsebaker.com

Tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies with a sweet touch of honey and rich buttery flavor perfect for teatime or as a delightful homemade gift.

I love making these cookies because they bring back warm memories of sharing treats with family on cozy afternoons.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter softened 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions

Product image
Organize kitchen cleaning supplies and cooking essentials on the wall to keep prep areas tidy and accessible.
Check price on Amazon
Preheat:
Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt set aside.
Cream Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl beat the softened butter powdered sugar honey and vanilla extract until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
Combine:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture mixing on low speed until just combined Do not overmix.
Roll Dough:
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface Gently knead it together then roll it out to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thickness.
Cut Shapes:
Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters and place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Optional Chill:
Chill the cut cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to help retain their shape during baking.
Bake:
Bake for 13–15 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
Cool:
Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Product image
Organize kitchen cleaning supplies and cooking essentials on the wall to keep prep areas tidy and accessible.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Organize kitchen cleaning supplies and cooking essentials on the wall to keep prep areas tidy and accessible.
Check price on Amazon
Save
| pulsebaker.com

Making these cookies always brings my family together especially during the holidays when everyone enjoys the sweet buttery flavor.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls Electric mixer or stand mixer Rolling pin Cookie cutters Baking sheets Parchment paper Wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten) dairy (butter) Check vanilla extract and powdered sugar for potential allergens

Nutritional Information

Calories: 120 Total Fat: 7 g Carbohydrates: 14 g Protein: 1 g per cookie

Close-up of freshly made Honey Butter Shortbread Cookies displaying a flaky, crumbly texture. Save
Close-up of freshly made Honey Butter Shortbread Cookies displaying a flaky, crumbly texture. | pulsebaker.com
Product image
Slow cook soups, stews, roasts, and casseroles effortlessly for comforting meals with rich, developed flavors.
Check price on Amazon

These honey butter shortbread cookies are a simple yet sophisticated treat perfect for sharing or gifting.

Questions & Answers

What gives these cookies their tender texture?

The combination of softened butter and honey adds moisture and richness, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread.

Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, substituting half the flour with whole wheat adds a nuttier flavor while maintaining texture.

How can I keep the cookie shapes from spreading during baking?

Chilling the cut dough on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before baking helps cookies hold their shape.

What temperature and time are best for baking?

Bake at 325°F (160°C) for 13–15 minutes until edges just turn golden for optimal texture.

Are there suggestions for enhancing these cookies?

Try drizzling extra honey or dipping half in melted chocolate for delightful variations.

Honey Butter Shortbread Cookies

Tender shortbread with honey sweetness and rich buttery flavor, ideal for teatime or gifting.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
15 min
Time Required
35 min
Created by Olivia Carter


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine British

Makes 24 Number of Servings

Diet Details Meat-Free

What You'll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g)
02 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (225 g)
02 1/2 cup powdered sugar (60 g)
03 1/4 cup honey (60 ml)
04 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

How To Make It

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 02

Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour and fine sea salt in a medium bowl; set aside.

Step 03

Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, honey, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 04

Combine Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and salt mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 05

Shape Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface, gently knead to combine, then roll out to 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thickness.

Step 06

Cut Cookies: Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Arrange cookies 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.

Step 07

Optional Chill: Chill the shaped cookies on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to help maintain their shape during baking.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until edges begin to turn golden brown.

Step 09

Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or stand mixer
  • Rolling pin
  • Cookie cutters
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Allergy Info

Look over the ingredients for possible allergens, and speak to a professional about concerns.
  • Contains gluten (wheat) and dairy (butter). Verify powdered sugar and vanilla extract for potential allergens.

Nutrition per Serving

Pulse Baker gives this for general use. It isn't medical guidance.
  • Calorie Count: 120
  • Fat content: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Protein: 1 g