17 shortbread crust recipes

cookies made from leftover pie crust with cinnamon sugar

Lemon buttermilk pie is a silky Southern custard pie, tangy with buttermilk and fresh lemon, baked low and slow in a blind-baked crust until just set. Chill it cold for a clean, creamy slice.

An authentic Dutch cheesecake made with grated Gouda cheese instead of cream cheese, lightened with beaten egg whites and studded with golden raisins. Baked in a shortbread tart crust with lemon.

Irish curd cake: a traditional sieved cottage cheese cheesecake in a shortbread crust with lemon zest and a sugar-butter glaze. Light alternative to heavy American cheesecake.

Layered pumpkin walnut pie hides a buttery brown-sugar walnut praline beneath a creamy, cream-cheese-rich pumpkin custard in a shortbread crust, crowned with baked pastry leaves. A Thanksgiving showpiece.

Amaretto cheesecake cookies with a brown sugar shortbread crust, cream cheese filling spiked with amaretto, and an almond crumble topping. Cut into squares.

Pecan turtle bars with a buttery shortbread crust, bubbly brown sugar caramel layer, whole pecans, and swirled milk chocolate on top. Addictively rich cookie bars.

Buttery shortbread crust topped with a fluffy almond paste filling, folded egg whites, lemon juice, and flaked coconut. A Dutch bakery classic that yields 50 bars from one pan.

Buttery shortbread bites rolled in paprika, cayenne, curry powder, and cumin. A savory, spice-crusted appetizer that's totally unexpected and completely addictive.

Chocolate pecan bars with a buttery cinnamon shortbread crust and a gooey brown sugar-chocolate topping. Dusted with powdered sugar and cut into squares.

Florentine triangle cookies with a buttery shortbread crust, candied cherry and pineapple topping with almonds, and a semi-sweet chocolate drizzle. A stunning holiday cookie.

Chewy toffee almond bars with an oat and brown sugar shortbread crust topped with a buttery caramel almond layer. A batch makes 48 bite-sized treats.

Pecan toffee bars with a buttery shortbread crust, Heath brickle bits, coconut, and melted chocolate on top. Layered dessert bars with crunch, chew, and gooey chocolate.

Strawberry ice cream pie with a spiced shortbread crust and a swirl of warm fudge topping. Make-ahead frozen dessert that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Caramel pecan bars with a buttery shortbread crust topped with pecan halves in a honey-brown sugar caramel finished with cream. Makes 50 bars from one jelly roll pan.

White chocolate hazelnut cheesecake with a crushed hazelnut cookie crust, hazelnut liqueur filling, and milk chocolate chunks. A rich, layered baked cheesecake topped with chocolate curls.