Shelf-stable shortbread cookies for market

A classic Scottish shortbread recipe formulated for cottage food sale: 2-week shelf life, no refrigeration required, allergen-friendly labeling.

Shortbread is the perfect cottage food cookie. Three ingredients (plus salt), no eggs, no leavening, no refrigeration required, and a two-week shelf life if wrapped properly. Every state with a cottage food law allows shortbread.

Cottage food note

Shortbread is approved under cottage food in all 50 states. The only restrictions tend to be sales caps and label requirements. See your state's specific rules.

Why this works

Shortbread's high butter and low moisture content make it inherently shelf-stable. The lack of eggs means no cottage food egg restrictions apply. The simple ingredient list makes labeling and allergen disclosure straightforward — flour, butter, sugar, salt.

At a glance

Yield: 32 shortbread cookies
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 2h

Ingredients

All-purpose flour: 300 g
Powdered sugar: 90 g
Cornstarch: 30 g
Salt: 4 g
Cold unsalted butter (cubed): 225 g
Vanilla extract: 5 g

Equipment

Stand mixer or food processor
9x13 baking pan
Parchment paper
Sharp knife or pastry cutter
Cooling rack

Directions

Common questions

Labeling shortcut

Standard shortbread label: "Shortbread Cookies. Ingredients: Wheat flour, butter (milk), powdered sugar (sugar, cornstarch), salt, vanilla extract. Contains: Wheat, Milk. Made in a home kitchen not subject to inspection." See the field guide for state-specific label templates.

Baker notes

Wrap individual cookies (or pairs) in cellophane bags with a twist tie. Two-week shelf life at room temperature.
For market: $1 per cookie, $5 for a bag of six, $10 for a 12-pack tin.
Add lemon zest, chopped lavender, or finely chopped pecans for premium variations.

FAQ

How long does shortbread really last?

Two weeks at room temperature in sealed packaging. One month in the freezer.

Can I sell flavored shortbread?

Yes — flavored variations (lemon, lavender, chocolate dip) are allowed if all added ingredients are themselves cottage-food-approved.

Where to go next

Bake one tray every Friday and you have $80–$120 of cookies for Saturday market with about $8 in ingredient cost. The math is unbeatable.

Grab the free Cottage Baker's Field Guide

Labels, pricing math, market-day checklist — print and go.

Check your state cottage food law

50-state directory with sales caps, labels, and county zoning.

Crumb Queen tee for the household head baker

Vintage varsity print on Comfort Colors 1717.

Crosodo Blog entries are recipe and craft notes from working cottage bakers. Recipes assume working with an active starter and basic equipment. Cottage food sales are governed by your state's law — see our state directory for legal details.