Shortbread Crust Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Shortbread Crust makes a delicious addition to so many desserts. Made of three ingredients, this simple shortbread crust is easy works for pies, cheesecakes, tarts, and so many other desserts.
Just three ingredients is all you’ll need to make this shortbread crust. They are most likely ingredients that you already have stocked in your pantry, too! Flour, sugar, and butter. Just those three things make one of the most delicious crusts that is versatile for so many delicious desserts and sweet treats.
If you’ve ever made my Pecan Pie Bars, you’ve already tried your hand at making this crust. It comes together quickly, then prebakes in the oven for just a few minutes and is then ready for all the goodness you care to pile on it or in it!
You can press the shortbread crust into the bottom of a baking pan, like used for the bars, or you can press it into a pie plate, crimp the edges (or not!), and use it as a pie crust as well. You can also use it as a tart crust for tarts or even as a crust for cheesecakes. It just works for so many things!
I think this will quickly become one of your favorite crust recipes. It’s just too easy not to be!
Here’s my Shortbread Crust recipe. I think you’ll love it!
Shortbread Crust Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) salted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (57 g) confectioner’s sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F.
- Mix together butter, flour, and confectioner’s sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan, a pie plate, tart pan, or other pan for your baking.
- Bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before filling.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
I’ve been making this for years! You can add 1/2 tsp of vanilla, almond ANY extract etc etc to give the crust added flavor! I also add some salt to it if I’m not using salted butter
Missy, I’m so glad you like this recipe and have been using it for years. Thanks!
Do you use a mixer to mix this, or by hand?
You can make this crust either with a mixer or by hand. If using a mixer, just mix until all the ingredients are combined. Hope you enjoy!
why does it say flour not shortbread cookie crumble?
Judie, this recipe makes the shortbread so you don’t use cookie crumbs. Hope you like this crust.
This was my first time making a crust so I didn’t really know what I was doing but I mixed everything together and it basically was just powder. Was the butter not melted enough or is there another solution? Thanks!
You don’t melt the butter, Cass. You use butter just softened to the point you can make a slight dent when you press it with your finger. Then you mix the ingredients until everything is mixed in well and press into the pan.
Hi Cass. I had the same concern the first time I made a shortbread crust, but you have to just let the mixer keep mixing until a dough forms. It takes a bit longer than expected, but when the texture is sandy, it’s only like 2/3 of the way through. This is a good solid, blessedly simple recipe. It isn’t very sweet, but it is the perfect vehicle for a sweet filling.
Can this recipe be halved to make in an 8″ square pan?
You can cut the recipe in half if you want, Jill. If you are going to put the crust up the sides of your pan, I would make the full recipe. I use the full recipe as shown in the picture for a 9-inch round pie pan which is the same as an 8-inch square pan.
To use this as the base for a cheesecake that will be baked in a loaf pan, would I partially bake the crust before filling; and if yes, for how long? Thank you!
Elaine, when I have used this crust for cheesecake, I baked the crust in a springform pan at 350ºF for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. The bake time may be different for a loaf pan. I then filled with the cheesecake mixture, reduced the temperature to 325ºF, and baked the cheesecake according to the recipe. I hope you enjoy!
how many shortbread cookies to use in the crust recipe??
Cheryl, you don’t use shortbread cookies. This ingredients in this recipe make the shortbread.
Can I use this for tarte tartin?
I’m sorry, Denise, but I have not used this pie crust for a tarte tartin.
Can I use this crust for no bake blueberry cheesecake? and put in cupcakes instead of pan?
Cindy, you could use this crust. You would just need to bake the crust in the cupcake tins, cool, and then fill. I use this crust for baked cheesecake.
Excited to try crust for lemon meringue pie