Vanilla Shortbread Biscuits Nigella

Delicate, buttery, and irresistibly fragrant, these Vanilla Shortbread Biscuits are a Nigella-inspired treat that melts in your mouth with every bite. Made with a handful of simple pantry staples—including rich unsalted butter, a hint of pure vanilla extract, and a touch of cornflour for a tender crumb—this recipe strikes the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence. The dough comes together effortlessly with just 15 minutes of prep time and transforms into golden, lightly crisp biscuits after a quick bake. Whether dusted with a sprinkle of caster sugar for a classic finish or paired with a steaming cup of tea, these shortbread biscuits are a timeless indulgence, perfect for gifting or savoring at home.

Nutriscore Rating: 46/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 24

Ingredients

• 250 grams Unsalted butter
• 100 grams Caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 300 grams Plain flour
• 50 grams Cornflour (or cornstarch)
• 2 tablespoons Extra caster sugar (for sprinkling)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 160°C (140°C fan) or 325°F. Line two baking trays with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, cream the unsalted butter and caster sugar together using an electric mixer or wooden spoon until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Add the vanilla extract and beat it in thoroughly.

Step 4

Sift the plain flour and cornflour together, then gradually add this to the butter mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, chill it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.

Step 5

Lightly flour a clean work surface, then roll the dough out to a thickness of about 1 cm (just under half an inch).

Step 6

Using a round or shaped cookie cutter, cut out biscuits from the dough and transfer them to the prepared baking trays, leaving a bit of space between each biscuit.

Step 7

Gather any leftover dough, re-roll it, and repeat the cutting process until all the dough is used.

Step 8

Place the trays in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the biscuits are a pale golden color.

Step 9

Remove the trays from the oven and let the biscuits rest for 5 minutes on the trays before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

While the biscuits are still warm, sprinkle them generously with extra caster sugar for a perfect finishing touch.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(733.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3615.7

Total Fat 217.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 125.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 553.6mg	0%
Sodium 45.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 400.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.6g	0%
Total Sugars 127.1g
Protein 32.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 107.2mg	0%
Iron 14.3mg	0%
Potassium 396.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.0%

Protein: 3.6%

Carbs: 43.4%