Shortbread is traditional recipe from Scotland, it evolved from the Mideval biscuit bread. The main difference is that shortbread has butter instead of yeast. Butter in Scotland has a higher butterfat content 86% compared to 80% in North America.

Shortbread is a common celebration food in Scotland. It is sometimes broken over the head of a new bride and eaten during holidays such as Christmas and New Years.

The traditional shape of shortbread is a circle that has been cut into triangles. Food historians believe that this design represented the sun, which leads some people to believe that shortbread was inspired my the Pagan yule cakes (sun cakes) which the Pagans ate on New Years Eve.

Today you often see sticks of shortbread as well as assorted shapes. Chocolate, jelly and nut topings are also increasing in popularity.

Try a Traditional Scottish Shortbread Recipe.