• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
You Say Potatoes
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Air Fryer
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Dinner
  • Air Fryer
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Air Fryer
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Lorna Doone Cookies (Copycat)

    Published: Mar 28, 2022 · Modified: Aug 12, 2022 by Kate

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pictures of cookies, plus list of ingredients and text: Copycat Lorna Doone cookies.
    Stack of square cookies, with text: Homemade Lorna Doone Cookies.

    Lorna Doone Cookies are a tasty melt-in-your-mouth shortbread! With this easy copycat recipe, you can make the classic square-shaped Nabisco™ cookies right at home from scratch. You'll love them with tea or coffee, as a snack, or to add to lunchboxes.

    Stack of homemade copycat Lorna Doone Cookies.
    Copycat Lorna Doone Cookies

    Make your own melt-in-your-mouth Lorna Doone cookies at home with this easy copycat recipe!

    You'll love this dupe of the classic square Nabisco™ cookies! They have the classic rich buttery shortbread taste and lightly crumbly, smooth texture.

    Maybe you can't get hold of a box of them where you live, or you just love making copycat recipes from scratch. Whatever the reason, give this recipe a try!

    Lorna Doone cookies are shortbread cookies that were first made by the American National Biscuit Company (Nabisco™) in 1902.

    The cookie is named after the novel Lorna Doone, which was popular at the time. These iconic American shortbread cookies are crisp and buttery, with a hint of sweetness.

    You can find these cookies in most grocery stores, but they're also easy to make at home! This copycat recipe uses simple baking ingredients that you may already have on hand.

    Shortbread cookies typically contain a mix of flour, sugar, and butter with no leavening agent to make them rise which gives them their classic crunchy texture with a buttery taste.

    But in this copycat Lorna Doone cookies recipe, I've added cornstarch to replicate that tender, melting texture of the originals! It totally works.

    These easy shortbread cookies can be served in a variety of different ways.

    Serve them with a cup of coffee or tea for dipping, or enjoy them as a light dessert or after-school snack!

    Jump to:
    • Reader Testimonials
    • Why Make This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Cook's Tips
    • Variations
    • Storage & Freezing
    • FAQs
    • More copycat recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Reader Testimonials

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "They came out very good. Looked great. Not too sweet, perfect texture. Grandkids loved them. My husband enjoyed them too. He would have liked them a little browner. Told me after I fell to sleep he sneaked two more." - Regina, Pinterest

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The whole family loved these buttery Lorna Doone cookies. Such buttery goodness, yum!!" - Michelle

    Why Make This Recipe

    Shortbread Lorna Doone cookies are made from scratch which means only clean ingredients.

    You probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry!

    You can customize the flavor by using your favorite warming spices.

    Great to have on hand when having a friend over for coffee or tea.

    Kids love this crunchy snack that's just a bit sweet and buttery.

    This is an easy copycat recipe.

    Looking down at a stack of cookies with more cookies scattered around.

    Ingredients

    • Butter and Margarine - Gives these shortbread cookies their classic buttery taste and rich texture. The mixture of the two gives them the right taste and texture.
    • Powdered Sugar - Sweetens the cookie while the fine grain of sugar blends in with the ingredients perfectly so they have the right texture.
    • Vanilla Extract - Adds light and warm vanilla flavor to the cookies that pair well with the butter taste.
    • Salt - Helps balance out the sweet flavor and enhances the cookie.
    • All Purpose Flour - The main dry ingredient, flour adds structure to the cookies.
    • Cornstarch - Helps add bulk to the cookie dough and contributes to the smooth, melt in the mouth texture.

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full quantities.

    Instructions

    Wondering how to make this Lorna Doone Copycat recipe? It's easy!

    Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.

    Collage of pictures of mixing cookie dough.

    Cream the butter and sugar: To a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, add the butter, margarine, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Mix on medium speed until all ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is light and fluffy.

    Add the dry ingredients: To the butter and sugar mixture, sift in the flour and cornflour and mix until it forms a moist crumbly dough.

    Shape and chill: Knead a few times to bring it together, then pat into a disc shape, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour (or put in the freezer for 15 minutes) to firm it up slightly.

    Cutting squares out of cookie dough.

    Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and line two cookie sheets with baking parchment paper. Set aside.

    Cut into squares: Remove the dough from the fridge. Add a light dusting of powdered sugar to the counter and cut the dough in half. Roll out each piece until a ¼ inch thickness is achieved. Using a knife or pizza cutter. Cut the cookies into square shapes and place them in a single layer on the baking sheet.

    Baking square lorna doone cookies.

    Bake and cool: Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes or until they begin to turn a golden brown color. Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Cook's Tips

    Shortbread cookies are made with a dough that is typically drier than other cookies. The dough is ready when it comes together but still is moist and crumbly.

    Make sure your butter and margarine are at room temperature before mixing them into cookie dough. This will help ensure everything mixes together smoothly.

    When cutting the cookies, you can dip the knife into powdered sugar to ensure a smoother and even cut into squares. It may not be necessary though.

    These cookies take about 10 minutes to bake, but the cooking time can vary depending on your individual oven. You want them very lightly golden, but not browned.

    Lorna Doone cookies develop their crunchy texture when they are completely cooled and dried.

    Variations

    Instead of vanilla extract, try using other flavors such as maple, almond, lemon, or coconut to change up the flavor.

    Add food coloring to the mix to match any festive occasion.

    Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or pumpkin pie spice to give them a warming flavor twist.

    Fold in finely chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds before baking.

    For a chocolate twist, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies.

    Cookies on a wooden table.

    Storage & Freezing

    Storing: These Lorna Doone cookies can be stored outside of the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week. If you live in a humid climate, it's best to store them in the fridge.

    Freezing: The cookie dough can be frozen for up to two months by tightly wrapping it in plastic wrap and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. When you're ready to bake, let the dough thaw overnight in the fridge before proceeding with the recipe as directed.

    Baked cookies can also be frozen by tightly wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

    FAQs

    Are Lorna Doone shortbread cookies healthy?

    This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on your personal definition of healthy. These cookies are made with butter and sugar which some people would consider unhealthy. However, they do not contain any artificial flavors or colors that some people would consider to be healthy.

    Can I make these cookies without cornflour?

    Yes, you can make these cookies without cornflour. The cornflour helps to give the cookies a crispy texture, but it is not necessary, though the texture will change slightly. You can replace the cornstarch with flour.

    More copycat recipes

    We hope that you love this tasty copycat Lorna Doone recipe! Be sure to also check out these other copycat recipes too!

    • Orange Julius copycat
    • Homemade Tajin Seasoning (Chili Lime)
    • Honey Walnut Cream Cheese (Panera Copycat)
    • Jiffy Corn Casserole

    Dessert Recipes

    These Lorna Doones are sooo good. We hope you love these other dessert recipes too!

    • Air Fryer Donuts with Lemon Glaze
    • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
    • Salted Caramel Cheesecake Pie
    • Christmas Tree Meringue Lollipops

    Be sure to subscribe to my free Newsletter and follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for more tasty recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    Stacks of Lorna Doone cookies on a wooden table.

    Lorna Doone Cookies (Copycat)

    Lorna Doone Cookies are a tasty melt-in-your-mouth square shortbread! Make the Nabisco classic from scratch with this easy copcyat recipe.
    4.88 from 25 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: copycat recipe, lorna doone cookies
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 24
    Calories: 112kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl
    • Cookie sheet

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup butter at room temperature
    • ¼ cup margarine
    • ½ cup powdered sugar (60 grams) icing sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups all purpose flour (195 grams) (plain flour)
    • ¼ cup cornstarch (30 grams) (cornflour)

    Instructions

    • Add the butter, margarine, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt to a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
    • Sift in the flour and cornflour and mix to a crumbly dough. Knead a few times to bring it together, then pat into a disc shape, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour (or put in the freezer for 15 minutes) to firm it up slightly.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C and line two cookie sheets with baking parchment paper.
    • Lightly dust the counter with powdered sugar, then roll out half of the dough to about ¼-inch thick. Cut into square shapes and place each one onto the baking sheet.
    • Tip: dip the knife into powdered sugar to make cutting easier.
    • Bake for 10 minutes or until just beginning to turn golden.
    • Transfer the Lorna Doone Cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
    Tried this recipe?Head down to the comments and give it a star rating!

    Notes

    Shortbread cookies are made with a dough that is typically drier than other cookies. The dough is ready when it comes together but still is moist and crumbly.
    Make sure your butter and margarine are at room temperature before mixing them into cookie dough. This will help ensure everything mixes together smoothly.
    When cutting the cookies, you can dip the knife into powdered sugar to ensure a smoother and even cut into squares. It may not be necessary though.
    These cookies take about 10 minutes to bake, but the cooking time can vary depending on your individual oven. You want them very lightly golden, but not browned.
    Lorna Doone cookies develop their crunchy texture when they are completely cooled and dried.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 112kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 92mg | Potassium: 11mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 262IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Turkey Peanut Butter Cups
    • Lemon Blueberry Cookies
    • Halloween Oreo Truffle Bats
    • Ghost Halloween Rice Krispie Treats

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pam

      March 28, 2022 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      I love Lorna Doone cookies and I love that these have just pure, natural ingredients!

      Reply
    2. Beth Sachs

      March 28, 2022 at 1:27 pm

      5 stars
      Such a simple cookie to make and perfect with a cup of tea!

      Reply
      • Paula

        July 08, 2022 at 5:15 pm

        5 stars
        Hi, Does it matter if the Butter is "salted" or not? Ty

        Reply
    3. Michele

      March 30, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      The whole family loved these buttery Lorna Doone cookies. Such buttery goodness, yum!!

      Reply
    4. Dan

      March 31, 2022 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      I love shortbread and these were perfectly buttery. Just like the ones at the store!

      Reply
    5. Toni

      April 01, 2022 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      Everyone at my house loved these cookies! I will definitely make it again!

      Reply
    6. Marcia

      August 27, 2022 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      I did not have margarine on hand, so I used all butter. I shared some of the cookies with my neighbor and we both agreed they were absolutely divine.

      Reply
    7. Erin

      November 28, 2022 at 9:33 pm

      5 stars
      They were so good! I took them to our office cookie exchange.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Kate cooking.

    Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

    More about me →

    Latest Recipes

    • Sweet Chili Chicken
    • Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Legs
    • Buffalo Chicken Bites
    • Crispy Battered Fried Wings
    Collage of press logos.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Information

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Cookie Policy
    • Website Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 You Say Potatoes