Why Shortbread Cookies Are Always in Style – And How We Make Ours

Some pastries come and go with trends, but shortbread cookies have never lost their place. Simple, elegant, and timeless, they remain a favorite around the world — especially in France, where they’re known as sablés. At Baudry Bakery, we offer a French twist on this classic, crafting each cookie by hand in small batches using real ingredients and traditional methods.

If you’re looking for the best shortbread cookies in Cincinnati, or you’re curious about what makes a great butter cookie, this article will take you behind the scenes of how we make our signature sablés — and why shortbread never goes out of style.

A Brief History of Shortbread

Shortbread has roots in Scotland, where it was originally made using oats. Over time, it evolved into the more familiar version we know today: a rich cookie made with just three main ingredients — butter, flour, and sugar.

In France, a similar cookie called sablé has existed for centuries. The word sablé means “sandy” — a nod to the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. French bakers have adapted the recipe using cultured butter and fine flour, giving the cookie a smoother, more delicate flavor.

At Baudry Bakery, our version of the sablé brings this French tradition to Cincinnati, with our own signature touches.

Why Shortbread Is Timeless

There are many reasons why shortbread remains popular across generations and cultures:

1. Simplicity

With only a few ingredients, shortbread focuses on quality over quantity. There’s no need for frosting, fillings, or complicated techniques. A well-made shortbread stands on its own.

2. Versatility

Shortbread can be:

• Cut into rounds, bars, or decorative shapes
• Flavored with vanilla, citrus zest, chocolate, or herbs
• Dipped in chocolate or sprinkled with coarse sugar
• Served plain alongside tea or coffee

This versatility makes shortbread ideal for any season, occasion, or personal preference.

3. Long Shelf Life

Unlike pastries that must be eaten the same day, shortbread cookies can stay fresh for several days when stored properly. This makes them ideal for gifting, travel, or enjoying at a slow pace.

4. Texture

Shortbread has a unique texture — tender, crumbly, and rich, but not chewy or cakey. This comes from a perfect balance of butter and flour, and careful baking to avoid overbrowning or drying out.

How Baudry Bakery Makes French Butter Cookies

Every sablé cookie we make starts with a focus on ingredients. We believe that simple recipes require the highest-quality components to shine.

Our Ingredients

• European-style cultured butter: Higher in butterfat than standard American butter, giving a deeper, creamier flavor
• Unbleached pastry flour: Low protein, soft texture
• Pure cane sugar: Ground just right for the ideal crumb
• Sea salt: A touch to balance the sweetness
• Real flavor infusions: We never use artificial extracts — only real lemon zest, vanilla beans, or natural cocoa

Our Method

1. Cold butter is cubed and creamed just enough to hold air without melting.
2. Flour and sugar are gently mixed in to avoid overworking the dough.
3. The dough is chilled overnight, allowing flavors to develop.
4. It’s then hand-cut and baked in small batches at precise temperatures to ensure even coloring and texture.
5. After baking, cookies are cooled completely before being packaged in compostable or recyclable materials.

We don’t rush the process. Our shortbread is made in the same slow, intentional way it would be in a Paris bakery.

Flavor Variations at Baudry Bakery

While we always offer a classic butter sablé, we rotate seasonal and specialty versions of our shortbread cookies at markets and pop-ups. Some customer favorites include:

• Lemon zest sablés – Bright and refreshing
• Chocolate sea salt sablés – Rich with a hint of contrast
• Vanilla bean sablés – Delicately flavored with real vanilla seeds
• Lavender sablés – Light floral notes, perfect for spring
• Hazelnut sablés – Nutty and buttery, often paired with coffee

We keep the sugar levels balanced, so our cookies are never overly sweet. This allows the butter and other ingredients to shine.

How to Enjoy Shortbread the French Way

In France, sablés are not just treats — they’re part of daily life. Here’s how to enjoy them the traditional way:

• With afternoon tea: A few shortbread cookies and a pot of tea make for a calming break.
• With coffee in the morning: A simple way to elevate your routine.
• As a gift: Elegant and universally appreciated. Baudry offers seasonal cookie boxes for special occasions.
• On a dessert board: Add shortbread cookies to a plate with fruit, chocolate, and cheese for an elevated presentation.

Shortbread can be both casual and refined — that’s what makes it timeless.

Where to Find Our Shortbread Cookies in Cincinnati

Our sablés are available each week at:

• Hyde Park Farmers’ Market (Sundays)
• Montgomery Farmers’ Market (Saturdays)
• Local pop-up events — announced via our website and social media
• Special pre-order boxes at com

Due to their popularity, some varieties may sell out early, especially during holiday and gift seasons.

Final Thoughts

Shortbread cookies may seem simple, but their elegance lies in that simplicity. A single bite of a well-made French butter cookie can transport you — to a Paris café, a childhood memory, or simply a quiet moment of joy. At Baudry Bakery, we take pride in creating shortbread cookies in Cincinnati that stay true to tradition while offering just enough creativity to keep things interesting.

Whether you’re a longtime lover of sablés or discovering them for the first time, we invite you to taste the difference that real ingredients and careful baking make. Visit us at a local market or order online to experience shortbread, done the right way.