Brown Sugar Shortbread

Brown Sugar Shortbread

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The Story & Intro

Bonjour my friends! 👋 I’m Lacamorea, and if there’s one thing that instantly transports me back to my grandmother’s warm Parisian kitchen, it’s the smell of freshly baked brown sugar shortbread. I remember standing on my tiptoes, barely tall enough to see over the countertop, sneaking tiny crumbs of that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth magic the moment she turned her back. Oh, if only you could’ve seen her face when she’d pretend to be shocked… and then give me a wink because she always knew. 😉

Now that I’m living in America 🇫🇷➡️🇺🇸, baking brown sugar shortbread has become my cozy little ritual especially on chilly afternoons when I need a moment of calm. There’s something therapeutic about pressing the dough into the pan, hearing the subtle crackle of brown sugar as it mixes with the butter, and watching golden shortbread emerge from the oven like edible sunshine.

What I adore about brown sugar shortbread is its deep caramel flavor — richer than classic shortbread, softer in texture, and somehow even more comforting. It’s the kind of cookie that makes people pause mid-sentence, look at you wide-eyed, and say, “Wait… what is in this?” And you’ll smile, because all it takes is a handful of pantry staples and lots of love.

Today, I’m sharing my favorite brown sugar shortbread recipe simple, cozy, impossible to mess up, and perfect for gifting… or not sharing at all. (No judgment from me! 😇)

Short 100-word version of the story (as required):
Bonjour my friends! I’m Lacamorea, a 31-year-old French girl who traded Paris for the cozy kitchens of America. Growing up, I loved sneaking bites of my grandmother’s brown sugar shortbread buttery, caramel-sweet, and irresistible. Baking this recipe now brings me comfort and reminds me of home. It’s simple, warm, and perfect for anyone who loves nostalgic treats. Every bite feels like a hug, and I’m so excited to share this special recipe with you today!

Why You’ll Love This Brown Sugar Shortbread

If you adore cookies that require almost zero effort but deliver maximum flavor, you’re in the right place. This shortbread is:

✨ Buttery and caramel-rich thanks to brown sugar
✨ Perfectly crumbly yet tender
✨ Naturally sweet without being overpowering
✨ Ideal for holiday gifting, afternoon tea, or a quick homemade dessert
✨ Made entirely with pantry ingredients you probably already have

Ingredients Needed for Brown Sugar Shortbread

Classic shortbread has only three ingredients but this version adds brown sugar for deeper flavor and a hint of moisture.

Here’s what you need:

  • Unsalted butter, softened
  • Brown sugar (light or dark both work)
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Vanilla extract (optional but magical)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Leave some overhang to lift the cookies out easily.

2. Cream the Butter & Brown Sugar

Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until creamy and smooth. This step creates that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture.

3. Add Vanilla

Stir in the vanilla extract. It enhances the caramel flavor beautifully.

4. Add Flour & Salt

Mix in flour and salt. The dough will look crumbly that’s perfect for shortbread.

5. Press Into the Pan

Transfer dough into the prepared pan. Press evenly using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup.

6. Score the Dough

Before baking, use a knife to score the top into squares or rectangles. This makes cutting easier later.

7. Bake

Bake for 28–35 minutes or until the edges just start turning golden.

8. Cool & Slice

Let cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment and slice along the lines you made earlier.

Serving Suggestions

Brown sugar shortbread is fabulous on its own, but here are some fun ways to serve it:

🍯 Drizzle with caramel sauce
🍫 Dip half in melted chocolate
🍓 Serve alongside strawberries and whipped cream
🫖 Pair with hot tea, coffee, or warm milk
🎁 Package in tins or bags for gifting

Recipe Tips for Success

  • Use room-temperature butter not melted.
  • Don’t skip scoring before baking!
  • For a firmer cookie, bake a few minutes longer.
  • For a softer texture, use dark brown sugar.
  • Add flaky sea salt on top for a gourmet twist.

Time to Bake! Brown Sugar Shortbread Recipe Card

🕒 TIME

  • Prep: 10 minutes
  • Bake: 30 minutes
  • Total: 40 minutes

🛒 INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Line an 8×8 pan with parchment.
  2. Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
  3. Mix in vanilla.
  4. Add flour and salt; mix until crumbly.
  5. Press dough into the pan.
  6. Score the top into squares.
  7. Bake 28–35 minutes until lightly golden.
  8. Cool completely and slice.

💡 NOTES

  • Use dark brown sugar for deeper caramel flavor.
  • Add chocolate chips, espresso powder, or orange zest for variations.
  • Shortbread keeps for 1–2 weeks in an airtight container.

🔥 NUTRITION (per piece, approx.)

  • Calories: 165
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbs: 18g
  • Sugar: 7g
  • Protein: 2g

Conclusion

There you have it, my friends the coziest, simplest, and most irresistibly buttery brown sugar shortbread you’ll ever taste. Whether you bake it for holidays, for friends, or just for a quiet moment of sweetness in your day, this little recipe always brings joy. It’s warm, nostalgic, and so easy to make, you might just find yourself whipping up a batch every week!

Thank you for baking with me today. Until our next delicious creation… bisous! 😘💛

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