The Best Shortbread in Toronto | TasteToronto

Guides / Spots

The Best Shortbread in Toronto

The Best Shortbread in Toronto

The Best Shortbread in Toronto

Shortbread isn't boring, and I will die on that hill. The deceivingly simple Scottish biscuit, traditionally made with one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour, when done well, is the best pairing for an evening cup of tea. Another hill I will die on.

The historical origins of shortbread could actually be a relic of Medieval Scotland with a relatively unchanged recipe (eating shortbread is eating history); since it was quite a luxury at the time, it was reserved for special occasions like New Year's Eve. Mary, Queen of Scots, really brought shortbread into vogue in the 16th century with her love of Petticoat Tails (thin, crispy, and buttery shortbread flavoured with caraway seeds). The first printed recipe appeared in 1736 from a Scotswoman named Mrs. McLintock.

Shortbread is also super customizable; some people like to add lemon, others caramel; I personally love chunks of chocolate tossed into my shortbread. All varieties you can get in the city and the following places in Toronto make an excellent shortbread; what a great host gift for the holidays!

Roselle

Roselle

Roselle does pretty much every pastry they tackle in a stunning way, but their shortbread is truly exceptional. Available in bags of 4, they include the following flavours: strawberry vanilla thumbprint, earl grey shorties, pecan Toffee Dark Chocolate and sable Breton. 

443 King St W

SOMA Chocolatemaker

SOMA Chocolatemaker

With two other locations on King Street and Brock Avenue, SOMA is almost synonymous with chocolate, their drinking chocolate being a personal favourite. SOMA, however, also does incredible shortbread, chocolate shortbread, of course, but they also have a cardamom-spiced shortbread.

246 Boulton Ave

Coach House Shortbread Co

Coach House Shortbread Co

Around since 1986, the Coach House Shortbread shiny tubes scream the holidays. Coach House was started by Carl Stryg, a former ballet dancer and opera singer, and to this date, their artisanal cookies are not available commercially. Carl's legacy is carried on by his husband Will, and their current shortbread offering is incredible, with beautifully flavoured sweet and savoury biscuits like lavender, orange and cardamom, gorgonzola and pistachio etc.

Best Shortbread By Jess

Best Shortbread By Jess

Made by Jess, her shortbread recipe and its variations are inspired by her mother with her own added twists. Jess' cookies are made to order and whipped up by hand in Toronto with no additives and preservatives. She offers flavours like chocolate chunk and sprinkles sandwich (rainbow sprinkle shortbread cookies sandwiched with rich buttercream frosting).

80 Galaxy Blvd #16

Mary MacLeod's

Mary MacLeod's

Family run since 1981, when Mary herself opened up Canada's first-ever shortbread shop under the marquee of Toronto's Capitol Theatre. Though they've since grown much bigger than their tiny bakeshop origins, the recipes they use are loyal to Mary's own and are available all over the city, from Whole Foods and Loblaws to little mom-and-pop shops.

The Best Shortbread in Toronto

Guides / Spots

6 months ago

The Best Shortbread in Toronto

Rosa Kumar

Rosa Kumar

Instagram

Shortbread isn't boring, and I will die on that hill. The deceivingly simple Scottish biscuit, traditionally made with one part sugar, two parts butter, and three parts flour, when done well, is the best pairing for an evening cup of tea. Another hill I will die on.

The historical origins of shortbread could actually be a relic of Medieval Scotland with a relatively unchanged recipe (eating shortbread is eating history); since it was quite a luxury at the time, it was reserved for special occasions like New Year's Eve. Mary, Queen of Scots, really brought shortbread into vogue in the 16th century with her love of Petticoat Tails (thin, crispy, and buttery shortbread flavoured with caraway seeds). The first printed recipe appeared in 1736 from a Scotswoman named Mrs. McLintock.

Shortbread is also super customizable; some people like to add lemon, others caramel; I personally love chunks of chocolate tossed into my shortbread. All varieties you can get in the city and the following places in Toronto make an excellent shortbread; what a great host gift for the holidays!

Roselle

Roselle

Roselle does pretty much every pastry they tackle in a stunning way, but their shortbread is truly exceptional. Available in bags of 4, they include the following flavours: strawberry vanilla thumbprint, earl grey shorties, pecan Toffee Dark Chocolate and sable Breton. 

246 Boulton Ave

Coach House Shortbread Co

Coach House Shortbread Co

Around since 1986, the Coach House Shortbread shiny tubes scream the holidays. Coach House was started by Carl Stryg, a former ballet dancer and opera singer, and to this date, their artisanal cookies are not available commercially. Carl's legacy is carried on by his husband Will, and their current shortbread offering is incredible, with beautifully flavoured sweet and savoury biscuits like lavender, orange and cardamom, gorgonzola and pistachio etc.

Best Shortbread By Jess

Best Shortbread By Jess

Made by Jess, her shortbread recipe and its variations are inspired by her mother with her own added twists. Jess' cookies are made to order and whipped up by hand in Toronto with no additives and preservatives. She offers flavours like chocolate chunk and sprinkles sandwich (rainbow sprinkle shortbread cookies sandwiched with rich buttercream frosting).

80 Galaxy Blvd #16

Mary MacLeod's

Mary MacLeod's

Family run since 1981, when Mary herself opened up Canada's first-ever shortbread shop under the marquee of Toronto's Capitol Theatre. Though they've since grown much bigger than their tiny bakeshop origins, the recipes they use are loyal to Mary's own and are available all over the city, from Whole Foods and Loblaws to little mom-and-pop shops.