Hope you brought your passport, because today we're baking cookies inspired by the warmhearted and ever-optimistic coach of AFC Richmond, Ted Lasso!
The shortbread arc in which Ted Lasso (played by the ever-charming Jason Sudeikis) gifts his new boss, Rebecca Welton, a pink box of golden brown cookie bars to enjoy over her morning tea, fascinated American viewers.
Shortbread, though vastly popular in the UK, is rarely celebrated in the US, and for good reason--shortbread is difficult to nail when it is not homemade.
Packaged shortbread cookies made from shelf-stable ingredients can't compete in the American world of double-chunk chocolate chip and Crumbl cookie on every corner.
We also don't drink hot tea and therefore don't see the need for a firm but simple cookie to dunk.
As viewers witness, Ted's boss Rebecca, played by Hannah Waddingham, grapples with the desire to fire the new American coach, but his cheerful presence and those delicious buttery biscuits are the first crack in her disposition.
As her assistants try desperately to find the bakery he procures them from each morning, we eventually learn Ted is baking them himself to secure personal time with her each morning, and thus this legendary internet recipe was born!
The first thing you'll notice about the biscuits (besides their name...in America, we call them a cookie) is the hallmark shape of a homemade shortbread cookie.
The dough is just 5 simple ingredients, consisting mainly of butter, and the mixture is baked in a cake pan.
After the cookies are baked, you cool and slice them with a knife, giving them an unusual bar shape that catches the eye of those not familiar with homemade shortbread.
Basic Ingredients In Classic Shortbread
- Butter
- Flour
- Salt
- Sugar
- Vanilla (or any flavoring really)
How To Make Ted Lasso Shortbread Biscuits
Shortbread is one of those family recipes that everyone has a version of in the UK...you might see recipes with powdered sugar, unsalted butter, brown sugar, or maybe even a teaspoon of cocoa powder for chocolate shortbread, regardless, the method is largely the same.
Combine softened butter with flour and sugar and add your seasonings (salt and vanilla). We make our shortbread in a food processor by dumping all of the ingredients in the bowl and pulsing to combine.
You can also make the biscuit dough in a large bowl with a hand mixer on low speed.
Using a square-shaped metal pan or a glass dish (lined with parchment paper for easy removal), press dough in the square baking pan and bake for 35 minutes at 350°.
The first time you make this recipe keep an eye on the oven to ensure the top is golden brown.
Want to Watch The YouTube Video of This Recipe? Click Here!
Customizing Your Shortbread Recipe
Substituting a different extract, such as almond extract, provides an alternative flavor. The best shortbread biscuit recipes are easy to customize and fine-tune to your tastes with just a bit of lemon zest or a drizzle of chocolate. Sometimes customizing shortbread is the best part! Whatever you have on hand can doll this recipe up, or keep it simple with fresh vanilla. Some ideas include...
- citrus zest
- cocoa powder
- a drizzle of chocolate or sprinkles
- cinnamon or a teaspoon of dried tea leaves
- different extracts besides vanilla such as almond, cherry, or cake batter
Have questions? Need help? Have an addition or a suggestion to a recipe? Drop me a comment below!
If you make this recipe, I would LOVE to see it!
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Ted Lasso Biscuit Recipe (Biscuits With The Boss)
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, or the contents of 1 vanilla bean
- 1 cup salted butter softened (2 sticks) *See note about butter below*
- You will also need parchment paper and either a food processor, stand mixer, or hand mixer and a medium bowl.
Instructions
In preparation for making Ted's biscuits, you'll need to remove the butter from the refrigerator and soften it to room temperature.
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350° F.
- 2. In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse the food processor a few times to mix the dry ingredients.
- 3. Add the softened butter and vanilla.
- 4. Turn on the food processor and watch the dough go from sand-like to a dough. Open the bowl and scrape the sides down at least once to make sure butter isn't collecting and that the mixture is mixed through. When you can pinch the dough in your palm and it holds its shape, it's ready.
- 5. In an 8x8 or 9x9 square pan, smear the bottom with the butter wrapper or a little pan spray to make it stick to the parchment paper, holding it securely.
- 6. Place a square of parchment paper down so that the Ted lasso biscuits can be lifted out smoothly after baking. The parchment paper should be cut to the width of the pan, with overlap on two sides to use as handles to lift the cookies out. (See my video if you are confused.)
- 7. Pour the dough into the square pan, pressing down to create a smooth surface. We like to use a drinking glass to press the dough into the corners and achieve a smooth top.
- 8. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 35 minutes.
- 9. Remove the golden brown biscuits from the pan by lifting on the parchment paper handles, and let cool fully.
- 10. When cool, with a sharp knife cut the square in half, then cut those halves into bars. Package in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Try your Ted Lasso's biscuits with a hot cup of tea with sugar and a splash of milk just like Rebecca enjoys them on the hit apple tv show!
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