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National Shortbread Day

Celebrate National Shortbread Day with delicious treats! Bake up a batch of classic shortbread cookies or try something new with our yummy recipes.

Wednesday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJanuary 6

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYBaking

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Shortbread Day on Jan. 6! This delicious treat has been enjoyed for centuries and has a long, interesting history. It's believed that shortbread was first served in Scotland during medieval times and was originally made with oats, flour, sugar and butter. Over the years, the recipe has evolved to include different spices and ingredients like nuts or dried fruit. Whether you prefer classic shortbread or something more modern and creative, this is the perfect day to indulge in your favorite variety!

TIMELINE

National Shortbread Day Timeline

Shortbread's Early Origins

Shortbread originated in Scotland during the 12th century. It was originally a type of bread, hence the name.

Popularized by Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots, popularized shortbread in the 16th century. Her court's version of the cookie was refined and made with higher quality ingredients.

Industrial Production Begins

With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, shortbread started to be produced on a large scale.

Walker's Shortbread Founded

Walker's shortbread, a well-known shortbread maker from Scotland, was founded in the early 20th century and made shortbread popular worldwide.

National Shortbread Day Introduced

The first National Shortbread Day was celebrated in 1984, as a day to appreciate this delicious Scottish treat.

Shortbread is Now Gourmet

In recent years, gourmet variations of shortbread with additions like lavender, rosemary, and matcha have become popular, showcasing the treat's continued evolution.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Shortbread Day

Bake your own shortbread

Shortbread is one of the easiest cookies to make and it's perfect for National Shortbread Day. All you need is some butter, sugar, flour, and vanilla extract. Mix, form into logs or circles, then bake for about 15 minutes.

Go out for shortbread

Look for a bakery that specializes in shortbread. You can search for shortbread on Yelp and find the nearest place to get your shortbread fix. Who knows, you might even find a shortbread-inspired dessert or cocktail.

MAKE

Make a shortbread house

Gather your friends and family and make a gingerbread house out of shortbread cookies! You'll need a template, some royal icing, and lots of candy decorations. This is the perfect activity to get everyone in the holiday spirit.

GIVE

Give shortbread as gifts

Sharing is caring! Bake up some extra shortbread cookies for your friends and family. Wrap them up in festive packaging with a nice card and give them away as gifts to spread some holiday cheer.

HOST

Host a shortbread decorating party

Invite your friends over for a decoration party! Everyone can bring their own supplies (cookie cutters, icing, sprinkles) and decorate their own creations. At the end of the night everyone can take home their creations as mementos of National Shortbread Day.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Shortbread Day

Shortbread comes in all shapes & sizes

Whether you're looking for bite sized pieces or traditional triangles, there is a shortbread shape out there to fit everyone's taste! You can even experiment with festive holiday shapes like stars and snowflakes during the winter months. Or why not make giant rounds of your favorite recipe for a fun twist on the traditional cookie? No matter what shape you choose, one thing's for sure - it will be delectable!

Shortbread is delicious

Shortbread is a classic biscuit that has been enjoyed all around the world for centuries. Rich, buttery and crumbly, it's the perfect treat to indulge in anytime of the day. Shortbread makes a great accompaniment to a cup of tea or coffee, or can be served as an after-dinner treat with ice cream or fruits!

Shortbread is easy to make

If you're feeling creative, why not try making your own shortbread? It's surprisingly simple and requires just three basic ingredients - butter, flour and sugar. Plus, you can customize it with whatever flavorings or toppings you like!