Ina Garten’s Spicy Ginger Shortbread Recipe – Buttery Bliss

These ginger shortbread cookies capture a magical blend of warmth and sweet complexity that transforms ordinary baking into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe brings a sophisticated twist to traditional shortbread with its vibrant, spicy undertones.

Crystallized ginger adds unexpected depth and character to this classic treat, elevating a simple cookie into something truly memorable.

Buttery and rich, these shortbreads promise a delightful crunch that melts delicately on your tongue.

The recipe balances sweet and tangy notes with remarkable precision, creating a sensory journey in every bite.

Sophisticated yet approachable, these cookies offer a perfect companion for afternoon tea or an elegant dessert finale.

Tips for Flavor-Packed Ginger Cookies

• Soften Butter Strategically: Let butter sit out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to reach the perfect spreadable consistency without melting.
• Precise Flour Technique: Gently fluff flour in the container before spooning it into measuring cups to prevent compacting and ensure accurate measurements.
• Dough Chill Hack: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and flatten into a disc before refrigerating to help it cool evenly and make rolling easier.
• Roll Like a Pro: Use powdered sugar instead of flour when rolling out the dough to prevent the shortbread from becoming tough or dry.
• Ginger Boost Trick: Toast ground ginger in a dry skillet for 30 seconds before adding to the recipe to enhance its warm, spicy flavor and intensify the aroma.

Best Ways to Store These Spicy Cookies

• Freeze Whole Batch: Seal the entire shortbread block in double-layered freezer wrap, protecting against freezer burn and preserving delicate ginger flavor. Stack wrapped packages horizontally to maintain shape and prevent crumbling.
• Refrigerate Individual Portions: Cut shortbread into precise squares before storing, placing parchment paper between layers inside an airtight container. Chilling helps maintain crisp texture and concentrated spice notes for maximum enjoyment within one week.
• Room Temperature Storage: Keep shortbread in a ceramic cookie jar with tight-fitting lid, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Select a cool, dry spot in your kitchen to prevent moisture absorption and maintain delicate crisp edges for 3-4 days maximum.

Creative Additions to Ina Garten Ginger Shortbread

• Zesty Ginger Lemon Shortbread: Add fresh lemon zest and replace crystallized ginger with ground ginger for a bright, citrusy flavor profile that complements the buttery base.
• Chocolate-Dipped Ginger Shortbread: After baking and cooling, partially dip each cookie in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with finely chopped crystallized ginger for an elegant touch.
• Nutty Ginger Shortbread: Incorporate finely chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the dough for added crunch and a rich, complementary nutty flavor that enhances the ginger's warmth.
• Spiced Chai Ginger Shortbread: Mix in ground cardamom, cinnamon, and a pinch of black pepper to create a warming chai-inspired version that elevates the traditional shortbread experience.

Ginger Shortbread Ends on a Sweet Note

Ina Garten’s ginger shortbread whispers culinary elegance through delicate flavor notes and buttery sophistication.

Crystallized ginger adds unexpected warmth to classic shortbread, creating a sophisticated twist on traditional recipes.

Crisp edges and tender centers promise pure baking satisfaction for discerning palates.

Home bakers can elevate their cookie game with this simple yet refined recipe that celebrates subtle spice and rich texture.

Mediterranean butter and premium ingredients make each bite a memorable experience.

Passionate bakers: share this recipe, spread cookie love, and spark delicious conversations in your culinary community.

Why Ina Garten Ginger Shortbread Is Bold and Buttery

• Savor Gingery Sophistication: These shortbread cookies elevate the classic butter cookie with a delightful crystallized ginger twist, creating a sophisticated treat that's both familiar and exciting.
• Effortless Elegant Baking: With simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques, home bakers can easily create professional-looking cookies that impress without requiring advanced pastry skills.
• Quick Comfort Dessert: Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish, these golden-edged cookies offer a speedy solution for sudden sweet cravings or unexpected guests, delivering warm, buttery comfort with a zesty ginger kick.
• Versatile Serving Delight: Perfect for afternoon tea, holiday gatherings, or as a delicate dessert companion to coffee, these shortbread cookies transition seamlessly between casual and elegant occasions.

What You Need for Ina Garten Ginger Shortbread

• Butter: Creamy base that provides rich flavor and helps bind the shortbread together, best when using high-quality unsalted butter.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture, preferably fine granulated sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones, pure vanilla gives the best taste.

• Flour: Structural foundation of the shortbread, all-purpose flour ensures a classic tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and heightens the overall flavor profile, fine sea salt works best.

• Crystallized Ginger: Provides a spicy-sweet punch and interesting texture, chopped finely for even distribution throughout the shortbread.
• Extra Sugar: For sprinkling on top, creates a delicate crunch and adds a touch of extra sweetness.

How to Mix and Bake Ginger Shortbread with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Get ready for some baking magic!

Step 2: Cream the Base

• Butter
• Sugar

Blend until smooth and fluffy. Pour in vanilla extract and mix again.

Step 3: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Salt

Stir gently to create a perfect powdery blend.

Step 4: Craft the Dough

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Keep mixing until a soft dough forms. Sprinkle in crystallized ginger, making sure it’s evenly distributed throughout.

Step 5: Shape and Decorate

Roll out the dough to a slim 1/4 inch thickness. Use a circular cookie cutter to create perfect rounds. Dust the tops with a light sprinkle of sugar for extra sparkle.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide your cookie sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for edges that turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cookies rest on a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely before savoring the spicy-sweet crunch of your homemade ginger shortbread.

Ina Garten Ginger Shortbread Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s ginger shortbread brings warmth and spice to classic Scottish treats with her signature elegant twist. Buttery, crumbly cookies offer rich ginger notes that melt in your mouth, inviting comfort and indulgence with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ pound (340 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup sugar

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup minced crystallized ginger (dried, not in syrup)

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Sugar (extra for sprinkling)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the butter and sugar mixture by beating them together in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Incorporate the vanilla extract, stirring until fully integrated.
2. In a separate mixing bowl, carefully sift together the flour and salt, ensuring no lumps remain.
3. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the butter blend, stirring gently until a cohesive dough forms. Delicately incorporate the minced crystallized ginger, distributing it evenly throughout the dough.
4. Lightly dust the work surface with flour. Using a rolling pin, gently roll the dough to approximately 0.25 inches (6.35 millimeters) thickness, maintaining an even surface.
5. Select a circular cookie cutter and press firmly to create uniform rounds. Transfer the cut cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Sprinkle a light layer of granulated sugar over the cookie surfaces, creating a delicate, sparkling finish.
7. Position the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, watching for edges to turn a soft golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.

Notes

• Savor the golden edges that signal perfectly baked cookies, pulling them from the oven just as they transform from pale to lightly bronzed.
• Maintain consistent dough thickness by rolling to a precise 1/4 inch, guaranteeing uniform baking and delightful texture across every sweet morsel.
• Refrigerate the dough for 15-20 minutes when it feels too soft, allowing it to firm up and become more manageable for rolling and cutting.
• Gently spoon flour into measuring cups and sweep with a knife’s straight edge, preventing dense cookies by avoiding compacted or excess flour.
• Soften butter to room temperature, enabling smooth blending with sugar and creating a luxuriously creamy cookie dough that promises delectable results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 197
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg