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    Home >> Recipes >> Desserts

    The Easiest Shortbread Crust

    Modified: Jul 23, 2025 · Published: Dec 16, 2018 by Analida · • Word count:450 words. • About 3 minutes to read this article. • This post may contain affiliate links ·

    1709 shares
    • 202
    ↓ Jump to Recipe
    Collage of photos showing shortbread crust pressing into tart pan.

    The arrival of the holidays means being busy busy busy. There are presents to buy and wrap, decorating the house, and parties to attend. With all the hustle it can be easy to cave to your local grocery store for ready-made desserts. I get it.

    The best ever fruit tart from scratch and simple to make! This has a creamy vanilla filling with a nice crunchy shortbread crust topped off with fresh fruit! Delicious! You are going to love the French patisserie style tart! It’s so simple to make, bake the shortbread crust, whip together the filling and add to the crust and add the fruit. | ethnicspoon.com

    As much as I love my desserts. I don’t like spending hours and hours constructing them. The simpler the better, without sacrificing taste.

     

    The following is a shortbread crust you can make in the food processor. If you’ve tried my French Patisserie fruit tart, Tart aux Pommes or Strawberry tart, you know this easy pie crust comes together in a snap. The ingredients are simple and won’t have you running to the store in a blizzard. What a relief! You can use this shortbread crust with the filling of your choice. The world is your oyster, or pastry in this case.

    European or French strawberry tart with vanilla bean custard and a shortbread crust. | ethnicspoon.com

    PRO TIPS:

    • A popsicle stick or chopstick can level out your shortcrust bottom to help you build thicker sides. Think shortcrust zen garden.
    • Pack the edges tight with your fingers and use a water glass for the bottom part. This will keep your crust from crumbling.

    How to make shortbread crust:

    Step 1: Place all the homemade pie crust ingredients in a food processor.
    Step 2: Pulse the food processor until the it starts to look like corn meal and is well combined.
    Step 3: Pour the mixture into a 10 inch non-stick tart pan with a removable bottom
    and push to the sides with a popsicle stick or chop stick. Make a thin layer in the middle and thicker on the sides.
    Step 4: Press the middle of the mixture into the tart pan or you can use a flat bottom water glass. Press firmly to get a tight crust.
    Step 5: Work the side up to the top edge of the tart pan and press tightly with your fingers.
    Step 6: Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

    Collage of photos of a tart pan and ingredients to make a shortbread crust step by step.

    Looking for more recipes?  
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    📖 Recipe

    Pressing dough mixture onto removable bottom tart pan.

    How to make Shortbread Crust

    A simple recipe to make shortbread crust for a variety of desserts.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: crust, food processor, shortbread
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 187kcal
    Author: Analida Braeger

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¼ cups flour all purpose
    • 4 oz butter unsalted, cut into pieces
    • 1 tablespoon sour cream
    • 2 tablespoon sugar granulated

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
    • Place all crust ingredients in a food processor and process until it looks like cornmeal. 
    • Spread mixture with a popsicle stick to the sides. Press mixture into a 10" tart pan and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 20mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.9mg

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    1709 shares
    • 202

    Comments

    1. Elaine Benoit says

      December 18, 2018 at 8:43 am

      5 stars
      I have to say that I've looked at a lot of shortbread crust recipes and yours not only looks delicious and perfect, but it DOES look like the easiest. I can not wait to make your crust the next time I make a crust!

      Reply
    2. Pam Greer says

      December 18, 2018 at 3:50 pm

      5 stars
      I always through shortbread crusts sounded difficult! You make it look so easy, thank you for the step by step photos!

      Reply
      • Analida says

        December 20, 2018 at 9:21 pm

        This one is so easy and it works every time too!

        Reply
    3. Dawn says

      December 19, 2018 at 8:14 am

      5 stars
      Love shortbread! We always ave them this time of year. Love the idea of making a crust for a tart. YUM!

      Reply
    4. Aleta says

      December 19, 2018 at 11:03 pm

      5 stars
      Shortbread crust is definitely my favourite type of dessert crust. Your recipe looks absolutely delicious and the instructions are super easy to follow! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Analida says

        December 20, 2018 at 9:21 pm

        Thanks Aleta! This recipe has never failed me! Enjoy!

        Reply
    5. Farwin | Love & other Spices says

      December 20, 2018 at 10:52 am

      5 stars
      Love shortbread crusts and yours look the easieat! I love how you included the step by step photos.I'm bookmarking this recipe.

      Reply
      • Analida says

        December 20, 2018 at 9:20 pm

        I love making a fast and easy apple tart with this crust! So good!

        Reply
    6. Kiki Johnson says

      December 20, 2018 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      Sour cream, huh? I have been struggling shortcrust pastry ever since I got into baking and have yet to find a recipe that works every time! Will sure bookmark this one! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
      • Analida says

        December 20, 2018 at 9:19 pm

        I use this one all the time and it never fails. Just be sure to pack it tightly so it is not crumbly. Enjoy!

        Reply
    7. Jennifer says

      December 21, 2018 at 11:02 am

      5 stars
      I love shortbread and this crust does look so easy to make! I can't wait to make a fruit tart for the holidays!

      Reply
      • Analida says

        December 21, 2018 at 9:59 pm

        Check out my French Pastisserie fruit tart for a really tasty dessert! https://ethnicspoon.com/french-patisserie-fruit-tart/

        Reply
    8. Shannon says

      December 21, 2018 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is one of the reasons why I will never part with my food processor! Definitely love the simplicity of this!

      Reply
      • Analida says

        December 21, 2018 at 9:54 pm

        Simple and easy wins every time!

        Reply
    9. Marisa Franca says

      December 23, 2018 at 3:08 pm

      5 stars
      Love all of tips and tricks to making shortbread crust. I've hesitated making it because I thought it would be too difficult and not turn out like it should. but you make it look so simple. And a food processor is a necessity in our kitchen. We use it for bread, pasta dough, cookies, and so much more. Now I can use it for a shortbread crust.

      Reply
    10. Amanda Mason says

      December 23, 2018 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      Is this recipe SERIOUSLY only 4 ingredients?!? I'm LOVING this shortbread crust! So simple and looks SO amazing! I make pies all the time and I so need this! These step-by-step instructions are super helpful to me, too!!

      Reply
    11. [email protected] says

      December 23, 2018 at 10:39 pm

      this is super helpful! I love shortcrust pastry but usually I'm lazy and buy it! great tips!

      Reply
    12. Tammy says

      December 24, 2018 at 1:44 am

      5 stars
      I love this...great tips for the perfect crust and that custard tart is stunning with the fruit on top! <3

      Reply
    13. Natalie says

      December 24, 2018 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow, it looks sooo delicious Perfect. When you do it it looks so easy to make but when I do it it's super hard. But I'll give your recipe a try. I think that with your instructions and tips I will finally able to make perfect crust.

      Reply
    14. Judy says

      November 27, 2019 at 11:15 am

      5 stars
      HELLo:
      I am delighted to find this recipe. I will make some modifications, mostly because I never bake or cook without doing so. Haha.
      !/2 whole wheat pastry flour and 1/2 white. What I like about this recipe is the low amount of sugar, the use of granulated sur=gar instead of powdered--I hate powdered sugar. The addition of sour cream is an excellent idea. I think it will be great as a base for my cheesecake bars.

      I can't wait to peruse your site and learn a whole lot more. Thank you. Happy holidays.
      Judy in Washington.

      Reply
    15. Kalena says

      January 27, 2024 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      I've been searching for a great tasting shortbread crust recipe for some time and now I finally found it! I have tried several time recipes before I stumbled upon this one. With the cost of ingredients now days, I wish people who share their recipe will share ones that work. So, Thank-you, Thank-you for sharing your recipe!!

      Reply
      • Analida says

        January 31, 2024 at 1:53 pm

        Thanks Kalena! Let me know what you are baking!!

        Reply

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    Analida profile pictureI’ve been researching and recreating ethnic recipes for over 20 years. My passion is sharing easy, affordable, and mostly healthy dishes made with fresh ingredients—always sprinkled with a touch of culture and food history...Read more-->

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