Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Chip Shortbread
Years ago, when I started the job that brought me out here to Seattle, my new coworkers and I had a cookie exchange for the holidays. The cookies I had that day, like these Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies, are still some of my favorites, I still make several of them. My friend Nancy was there and she made a batch of these and they are truly yummy. Definitely once a year cookies, considering the amount of butter in them. What I love about these is that they are rich (you really don’t overindulge in these, and I make them small for that reason), they meet the butter to cookie ratio requirement for Peter, and best of all, they are drop cookies. Here’s the way I look at it…just when I’ve spent the most of the day mixing other kinds of cookie dough…chilling it, cutting it out, chilling it again, baking it, then decorating it, only to realize I’ve really only got about 6 cookies, these shortbread cookies are so simple. Just mix the ingredients, use a tablespoon to scoop out and drop on to a parchment lined baking sheet. I know you’ll want to do more, asking yourself if you should flatten them, or at least roll them in sugar, or thinking it would be cute to cut them into christmas tree shapes, but really, there’s just no need. Make these and you will have plenty to put out on a plate when someone comes over. Which they will…

Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies

16 oz. butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add in vanilla, then slowly add in flour and mix between batches (add salt to the flour before you begin adding it to the mixer). When mixed, add in chocolate chips and just stir to combine. Drop in tablespoon-sized balls (or even slightly smaller) 1″ apart on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. (Hide half so you’ll have them for later.)
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Happy days for everyone! xo

21 Comments
  • bright and blithe

    December 23, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    the simpler the better when it comes to cookies…that’s my philosphy, anyway. enjoy your blogging holiday. it’s certainly deserved. merry christmas.

  • Alexis

    December 23, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Those look great! I will add them to my day of cookie baking tomorrow.
    I love Tiny Prints–I ordered my kids’ birth announcements there, and they were so easy to deal with and the cards were beautiful.

  • Sunni Standing

    December 23, 2009 at 7:13 pm

    They look delicious and very inviting. Thank you for sharing yourself and your little family with us! You are a treasure to read. Season’s Greetings and other bagatelles to you and yours.

  • Tracy

    December 23, 2009 at 9:45 pm

    I so prefer simple cookies for christmas baking. I hardly ever do cutout cookies that need decorating. The most frosting I do is dipping slice and bake cookies into a lemon glaze. 🙂

  • blair/wisecraft

    December 23, 2009 at 9:56 pm


    that sounds really good. I should have done a citrus cookie this year, I think I did too many nut ones. Happy Holidays Tracy!

  • erin

    December 24, 2009 at 5:33 am

    enjoy your break and the holidays, blair! merry merry!

  • amy

    December 24, 2009 at 6:59 am

    merry christmas! I am giving all my siblings your Ramen Noodle chocolate bars in their stockings. Good thing Christmas is tomorrow as I’ve already eaten half the box of 12! Delicious!!

  • sew katie did

    December 24, 2009 at 7:02 am

    Enjoy the Holiday break. Merry Merry from us!

  • Sarah

    December 24, 2009 at 8:36 am

    lovely picture! did you use ShakeItPhoto? I love that application 🙂

  • blair/wisecraft

    December 24, 2009 at 8:39 am


    yes! I love that app too!

  • Aylin

    December 24, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Happy holidays to you and your family! Thanks for all the inspiration throughout the year! Thanks also for the cookie recipe which I will be trying very soon!

  • jen

    December 24, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    mmmm. thank you for sharing 🙂 i am having a love affair with shortbread this year, so i am excited to try this one out. Merry Christmas!

  • Frances

    December 25, 2009 at 3:02 pm

    These cookies sound simply perfect, especially since I love shortbread and drop cookies are the best! I’ll definitely be making these soon.

  • suzie sews

    December 29, 2009 at 9:49 am

    Loving this. Can I just check that powdered sugar is caster sugar… or am I going to give everyone sugar rush with huge amounts of sugar. Sorry its us Brits… measurements and all that!!!

  • blair/wisecraft

    December 29, 2009 at 6:03 pm


    Suzie, powdered sugar and castor sugar seem to be two different things. Powdered sugar is almost like the consistency of corn starch. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powdered_sugar I think these cookies definitely benefit from the texture of powdered sugar. Hope you are able to find some.

  • Becka

    December 30, 2009 at 11:11 pm

    Just instructed the husband to make a second batch of these (I’ve of course eaten all the Christmas ones), so stinkin’ good! Shortbread and chocolate is such a delicious combination!
    I hope you’re having lovely holidays!

  • lisa s

    January 2, 2010 at 11:02 am

    happy new year to you!!
    xo

  • Jamie

    January 2, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    I’m moving next week and have bribed friends into helping me with the promise of cookies; these look super easy and delicious! Am looking forward to making them tomorrow.
    Happy (belated) holiday season!

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 3, 2010 at 8:28 am


    you too! Good luck with moving!

  • Jill

    January 4, 2010 at 1:33 pm

    Made these for ourselves and to bring to family events, and everyone loved them, young and old.

  • blair/wisecraft

    January 4, 2010 at 2:27 pm


    So glad to hear it! Happy New Year!

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