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Recipe 2 of the Christmas Cookies Around the World Holiday Project for Kids: Kid-Friendly Scottish Shortbread Recipe
Christmas is celebrated in many countries throughout the world, but every country celebrates Christmas a little bit differently. If you are looking for a fun way to teach your children about other cultures and help them understand different Christmas traditions with a fun Christmas Around the World project, baking is a great hands-on way to do this! Baking cookies is one of our favorite Christmas traditions during the holiday season, and just so happens to be a tradition that is also popular in Scotland as well. Through baking cookies, you can start to introduce your children to different cultures and even take them on a tour around the world through cookies.
This post is the second in a series of Christmas Cookies Around the World. Join us as as we take a tour around the world and learn about popular Christmas cookie recipes. Along the way we’ll also learn about Christmas traditions in different countries through book recommendations and videos.
The Christmas Cookies Around the World series is a fun way to introduce children to:
- World geography
- Holiday traditions
- Popular cookies from various cultures and parts of the world
This Christmas Around the World Series can be done as part of a school Christmas Around the World party that extends outside of your own classroom. Each class can be in charge of one country and prepare cookies for that place. Then, you can have your children rotate around to learn about each country’s unique Christmas traditions and get to try one of their delicious cookies.
In the full Christmas Cookies Around the World set there are printable passport options for children to take with them on their adventure. In addition to this packet, there is a full series of additional articles with tips and baking videos availablehere on the Christmas Cookies Around the World main page.
Brief History of Scottish Shortbread
This shortbread cookie recipe has been passed down from Scottish families for generations and is a perfect cookie to make with your kids during the holidays.
Fun Facts About Scottish Christmas Traditions
- Christmas in Scotland was actually banned in the 17th century for religious reasons. Until the early 20th century, Christmas was celebrated quietly and discreetly.
- Some Scots believe in keeping a fire going all through Christmas to keep away evil spirits.
- A traditional dinner at Christmas in Scotland includes broth, smoked salmon, turkey, and Christmas pudding.
- Boxing Day, the day after Christmas Day, is also a public holiday in Scotland.
- Fire is an important part of Christmas in Scotland
- Weather statistics show that Scotland has an over 50% probability of snow on Christmas Day.
- To help clear the air among real people, a common tradition involves burning a branch of rowan tree to chase away bad feelings among friends and family, and to start the New Year with a clean slate.
Videos About Christmas in Scotland
Christmas traditions around the world: Scotland
Learn all about the different Christmas traditions celebrated in Scotland!
Additional Resources for Teaching Children About Scotland
Let your kids take a virtual tour of Scotland to see the sights from their own home.
Scotland: 10 Interesting Facts about Country’s History and Customs
Learn about Scotland’s rich history with this fun facts about Scotland.
Books about Scotland
A Scottish Year by Tania McCartney
In A Scottish Year, you’ll follow a group of kids throughout a typical year in Scotland.
Scotland 123 by Anna Day
Learn how to count to 10 and about the beloved landmarks in Scotland in Scotland 123.
If You Were Me and Lived in… Scotland by Carole P. Roman
If You Were Me and Lived in… Scotland will help your kids visualize what life is like in Scotland, and even learn about what it is like to live there.
N is for Nessie by Kate Davies
Teach your children the alphabet and about the classic tale of Nessie in N is for Nessie.
Scottish Shortbread Recipe
See just how easy it is to make Scottish shortbread cookies in this this short video. Kids can easily participate in the baking process, and even the pickiest little eaters love the taste.
Scottish Shortbread
This shortbread cookie recipe has been passed down from Scottish families for generations and is a perfect cookie to make with your kids during the holidays.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Scottish
Servings 30 Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- .5 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 F.
Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats and set aside.
Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together butter, salt, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Mix the flour and cornstarch together. Sift into the bowl with the butter and sugar.
Mix quickly and thoroughly but do not over mix.
Place dough on a cold lightly floured work space. Knead lightly to form a loose dough ball.
Roll dough between 2 sheets of parchment or waxed paper to about 1⁄4 inch thick.
Cut into desired shape or rounds using cookie cutters.
Place on the lined cookie sheets and bake for 20-25 minutes or until pale brown and crisp around the edges.
Remove from oven. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and let cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Variations
- Add 1⁄4 tsp of cinnamon and 1⁄4 tsp of nutmeg during Step 1.
- Or add 1 tbsp of lemon, orange or lime zest during Step 1.
Cookies can be frozen for up to 4 weeks, so this is a good make ahead cookie. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Then wrap in foil to ensure air tight. Place in freezer bags or containers.
Keyword Christmas Cookies, Cookies, Scottish Shortbread, Shortbread
Get Your FREE Christmas Cookies Around the World Taste Test Recording Sheet
Use the taste test recording sheet to have kids record information about the cookie(s) they tasted and rate how well they liked the cookies. Individual pages can be compiled into a taste test booklet for all the cookies you try in the series, or you can choose to have kids record only their favorite cookie if you prefer.
Save paper by printing two or four to a page if preferred.
MORE ABOUT THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES AROUND THE WORLD PROJECT PACK
For those interested in expanding the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Around the World project into a class or family project we’ve created a 50+ page activity guide to make it super easy for you.
Inside you’ll find:
- Quick Reference List of Cookies and Countries
- Generic Cookie Taste Test Recording Sheet
- Cookie Taste Test Recording Table
- Class Graphing Header and Voting Cards
- Christmas Cookies Around the World Passport (three versions)
- Taste Test Journal
- Cookie Recipe Cookbook
- Editable Cookie Recipe Page to add in additional family and multi-cultural options
- Gift Tags
- Notecards
- My Family’s Favorite Cookie Recipe (two versions)
- Editable Parent Letter (two versions)
- Ingredient List by Cookie
The project is designed for use in the classroom, at home, or in community programs. Suggestions and modifications for each setting are included in the resource.
Get your Christmas Cookies Around the World Project
This project is also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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