If you love the perfect blend of savory and buttery treats, then this Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits Recipe will become an instant favorite. These golden, crumbly biscuits pack a punch of nutty parmesan cheese and aromatic rosemary, creating a snack that’s both sophisticated and comforting. Whether you’re serving them at a casual get-together or as a delicious accompaniment to your soup or salad, these biscuits are irresistibly tasty and surprisingly easy to make.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making these Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits is all about simple, quality ingredients that come together in a beautiful harmony of flavor and texture. Each ingredient plays a key role—from the rich butter that ensures crumbly tenderness, to the sharp parmesan that adds a savory depth, and rosemary that gives a delightful herbal note.
- Salted butter (3.5 oz / 100g, chopped): Provides a rich, creamy base and tender crumb; using salted butter adds a subtle seasoning.
- Parmesan cheese (3.5 oz / 100g, grated): The star ingredient, it delivers sharp, nutty flavor and a lovely golden color when baked.
- Plain flour (3.3 oz / 95g): The structure-building ingredient, ensuring your biscuits hold together with a delicate crumb.
- Rosemary leaves (1 tbsp roughly chopped fresh or 2 1/2 tsp dried): Adds a fragrant herbal note that complements the cheese beautifully.
How to Make Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Butter and Dry Ingredients
Start by bringing your chopped salted butter to room temperature so it’s soft enough to blend easily without melting. Meanwhile, grate the parmesan finely to ensure it incorporates smoothly. In a mixing bowl, combine the plain flour and chopped rosemary leaves—this helps evenly distribute that lovely fragrance throughout the dough. The goal here is to have every bite bursting with subtle rosemary hints alongside the rich cheese.
Step 2: Forming the Dough
Gently rub the softened butter into the flour and rosemary mixture until you achieve a crumbly texture. Then add the grated parmesan and continue mixing until the mixture starts to come together as a soft, slightly sticky dough. Avoid overmixing; you want the biscuits to remain tender, not tough. If your kitchen is warm, consider chilling the dough briefly before rolling out.
Step 3: Shaping and Chilling
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into rounds or squares—whatever shape feels fun! Transfer the shapes onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Chill the biscuits for at least 20 minutes before baking. This step is key to helping them hold their shape and develop that perfect shortbread texture.
Step 4: Baking to Perfection
Preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C). Bake the chilled biscuits for 12-15 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown around the edges. Keep an eye on them as you don’t want the parmesan to burn. Once baked, allow them to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack—this helps them crisp up nicely.
How to Serve Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of flaky sea salt or a tiny drizzle of honey makes an unexpected but delightful garnish. You can also lightly brush the biscuits with melted butter and scatter some extra chopped rosemary on top before serving to refresh the herbal aroma.
Side Dishes
These biscuits are perfect alongside soups like tomato basil or butternut squash, where their buttery richness complements the warm, savory liquids. They also pair wonderfully with a fresh green salad or charcuterie board, adding that crunchy, cheesy contrast to the spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits with layers of soft cheese and cured meats for a tasty canapé, or crumble them over a creamy dip for a crunchy topping. For a party, serve them alongside small ramekins of flavorful dips like baba ganoush or herbed cream cheese to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover biscuits in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh and crunchy for up to a week, making them an excellent make-ahead snack or appetizer.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy them later, freeze the unbaked shaped biscuits on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once firm. When ready to bake, simply pop them straight into the oven, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To refresh stored biscuits, warm them briefly in a low oven for about 5 minutes to restore that freshly baked crunch and release the buttery aroma.
FAQs
Can I use other herbs instead of rosemary?
Absolutely! Thyme or sage can provide lovely variations to the flavor profile, each bringing their own unique aroma and complementing the parmesan beautifully.
Is it okay to use pre-grated parmesan?
Freshly grated parmesan works best for flavor and texture, but if you only have pre-grated, it will still be delicious—just be mindful some pre-grated cheeses contain anti-caking agents that might slightly affect the texture.
Can I make these biscuits gluten-free?
Yes, with a suitable gluten-free flour blend, you can create a similar delicious biscuit. Just make sure the blend includes a binder like xanthan gum for best results.
How long will these biscuits keep fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight container, Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits Recipe results stay fresh and crisp for about a week, though they rarely last that long because they’re so addictive!
Can these biscuits be made vegan?
For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative and the parmesan with a vegan cheese that melts well, although the flavor and texture will differ slightly from the original.
Final Thoughts
I truly believe this Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits Recipe is one of those magical treats that once you try, it simply sticks with you. Its combination of buttery tenderness, savory cheese, and fragrant rosemary is nothing short of brilliant. Give these biscuits a go—you might just find your new go-to for gatherings or that perfect anytime snack.
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Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 25 to 30 biscuits
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Parmesan Shortbread Biscuits are savory, buttery, and crisp, perfect as a sophisticated snack or an elegant accompaniment to soups and salads. Infused with the sharp flavor of Parmesan cheese and fragrant rosemary, these biscuits offer a delightful crunch and a rich, cheesy aroma that elevates any casual gathering or tea time.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3.5 oz / 100g salted butter, chopped
- 3.5 oz / 100g Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3.3 oz / 95g plain flour
- 1 tbsp rosemary leaves, roughly chopped (or 2 1/2 tsp dried rosemary)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). This sets the perfect temperature to bake the shortbread biscuits to a golden crisp.
- Combine Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, rub together the chopped salted butter and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Then, sift in the plain flour and add the roughly chopped rosemary leaves. Mix all ingredients together until they form a firm, cohesive dough.
- Shape the Dough: Roll the dough out between two sheets of parchment paper or cling film to about 1/4 inch (6mm) thickness. Trim the edges and cut the dough into small rectangular or square biscuits to yield approximately 25 to 30 pieces.
- Bake the Biscuits: Place the cut dough pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for around 15 minutes, or until the biscuits turn a light golden color along the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the biscuits to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve these delicious Parmesan shortbread biscuits as a savory snack or alongside your favorite soups and salads.
Notes
- Use good quality Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- Salted butter is recommended, but adjust salt to taste if using unsalted butter.
- Rosemary can be substituted with thyme or sage for a different herb flavor.
- Store baked biscuits in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
