From Sugar Cookies to Shortbread, the differences between cookie classics
It's amazing what some sugar, flour and butter can do. Particularly if you’re in the market for a sweet treat, these three simple ingredients lay the foundations for a variety of delicious cookie concoctions.
Although each cookie recipe requires a similar grocery list the results can differ greatly. Which is why, as the cookie experts, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to break down some of our favorite cookie types; sugar cookies, shortbread and butter cookies. We’ll clear up their differences, what they work best with, as well as some tips on how to create and decorate your own.
What is a sugar cookie?
Closely resembling the ‘twice baked’ biscuit that acts as the canvas for Biscuiteers’ hand-iced gifts - sugar cookies are made using sugar, flour, butter, eggs and your choice of raising agent like baking powder or soda.
Often flavored with vanilla, sugar cookies are usually rolled out and cut into shapes using a cutter. They have a high ratio of flour to butter, giving them a sturdier, snappier constitution which means they are well suited to being decorated.
How is shortbread different from a sugar cookie?
Dated back to the 12th century, a shortbread is a traditional Scottish cookie.
Shortbread is a denser, crumblier cookie than sugar cookies and are often described as ‘short’ due to their high ratio of butter to flour which results in a rich, melt-in-the-mouth consistency. Unlike the other two types of cookies we’re covering today, shortbread tends not to be decorated with frosting or icing, rather, lightly dusted with powdered sugar.
What is the difference between sugar and butter cookies?
The butter cookie originates from Denmark, unlike a sugar cookie that is often rolled out flat and cut with a cookie cutter, a butter cookie is softer and for the best results is piped directly onto a baking sheet then baked. The result is a crisp cookie with a more decorative ‘whipped’ appearance.
As the name suggests a butter cookie has a high proportion of butter. However, unlike a shortbread the amount of flour and sugar used is increased meaning they hold their shape more effectively.
How to decorate sugar cookies
As we’ve established sugar cookies as the best base for decorating, and we know a thing or two about decorating cookies, here are some of our top tips for preparing and creating professional looking iced cookies.
Once you’ve got the basics covered head over to our YouTube channel for more icing tips and tutorials.
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