Marbled shortbread sliced on a fluted plate

Chocolate & Vanilla Marbled Shortbread

Chocolate & Vanilla Marbled Shortbread

You could have delicious shortbread. Or, you could have two delicious shortbreads! This chocolate and vanilla marbled shortbread combines two delicious shortbreads in one. You get both flavours in one bite and it is so good!

Marbled chocolate and vanilla shortbread slices on a plate.
Chocolate & Vanilla Marbled Shortbread

The Shortbread Recipe

This is a very straightforward recipe with ingredients you probably already have at home. You can use regular or gluten free flour, with plant based or dairy butter. The sugar is best to be white and as fine as possible (caster is best, granulated will work too), although if you love coconut sugar, then use that! Cornflour gives a softer texture to the shortbread – you can just use extra flour if you prefer (we keep cornflour for thickening sauces and gravy). The cocoa you choose can make a big difference to the flavour of the chocolate shortbread. We used standard cocoa as not everyone in the house is a fan of raw cacao – use whatever you usually use and add extra sugar if needed. The vanilla is best as powder, but extract or essence work well – again, whichever you normally use.


Chocolate & Vanilla Marbled Shortbread

Why have one shortbread when you can have two! Chocolate and vanilla shortbreads marbled together.

Keyword: shortbread
Created by:: Laurena @LifeDietHealth
Gather
  • 180 g plain flour
  • 125 g butter
  • 60 g sugar
  • 30 g cornflour
  • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder plus extra sugar if needed
  • pinch of vanilla powder
  • Extra sugar
Prepare
  1. In a large bowl, rub the flour and the butter together with your fingertips until you have a breadcrumb texture.

  2. Add the sugar in and mix through. Add cornflour too if using (or sub extra flour).

  3. Still using your fingertips, gently press the dough together until it forms into a ball. There should be enough moisture to do this without adding any liquid.

  4. Divide the dough roughly in half (approx 200g).

  5. Add the cocoa to one half and a bit of extra sugar if required (taste and add). Add the vanilla to the other half and mix through.

  6. Divide each flavour into four balls, then stretch into a long rope. Lay one of each flavour next to each other then twist together.

  7. Coil the two-tone ropes into your greased tin/dish and then gently press together so there are no gaps showing. Score the top in a pattern if you wish, otherwise leave as it is.

  8. Bake at Gas 4 (350f / 180c) for 30-40 minutes. The length of cooking will depend on your dish size and material. The shortbread will start to brown and pull away from the sides of the dish.

  9. Remove from oven and carefully cut into slices whilst still warm (take care if using a non-stick pan). Sprinkle with extra sugar if desired. Leave to cool in the tin before removing.

  10. Enjoy!


What do I need?

You can (as with most of my recipes), make these as decorative or as plain as you like! If you have a fluted dish, that would make cute edges to your shortbread. If you are very patient, you could make the ropes smaller and use small moulds to get individual shortbreads. If you are new to cooking or your kitchen needs a refresh, here are a few useful things for this recipe. We do receive a small commission if you click and purchase through these links (this is at no additional cost to you)!




How to serve your shortbread

I would wait until these are cold (the smell when they are warm is irresistible) as they will firm up and become slightly crisp. Eat with a lovely cup of tea (or coffee) whilst you have some ‘me-time’! You could serve these with a side of fresh strawberries, or even a side of whipped cream or ice-cream! Why not make these for afternoon tea maybe with this gorgeous marble cake, and these decadent biscoff brownies!


Close up of a marbled chocolate and vanilla shortbread slice, stacked on top of other slices.
Shortbread slices

Storing

This shortbread will keep in an airtight container for a week or so! They can also be frozen for up to 3 months (remember to wrap them well, label and date). If you are eating them the same day, feel free just to leave them (covered) on a plate on the worktop!

Marbled shortbread sliced on a fluted plate
Marbled shortbread dusted with sugar

Sharing

I’m sharing this over at Angie’s Fiesta Friday this week, co-hosted by Liz @ Spades, Spatulas & Spoons. Come on over and join the party! Loads of new people to meet and new things to try!

I love seeing your creations and interpretations of my recipes! Feel free to share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on InstagramPinterestFacebook or Twitter.

Leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of these shortbread! I would love to hear if you’ve made anything marbled before?!

Speak soon

Laurena x

37 Comments

  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 21:58

    Hi Laurena. Not come across marbled shortbread before but it sounds genius😋 Unfortunately I’ll have to somehow lay off these goodies for a while as my dentist informed me today I’ll need (another) filling. Oh dear…😝🙈

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 22:06

      Thank you Eva. Oh no, another filling doesn’t sound so good! I’ll try and do something savoury next week then!😋 Apaet from the tooth, I hope you’re well. Any weekend plans?

      Reply
  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 22:28

    Don’t worry on my account, honestly 😘 Feeling a bit nervous about going back to the salon since March but it will be good getting back into the swing of things. I hope I haven’t forgotten my Mani and Pedi routines etc😜

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 22:46

      Maybe it’s time for something ‘not’ meaty!😋 I’m guessing you’ve heard about our new law-of-six starting Monday! I’m still not sure how it will work yet, as there are lots of exemptions but I’m hoping it will make things easier?!

      Reply
  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 22:57

    All this mental gymnastics about what the rules are supposed to be, including exemptions etc…must be exhausting. I do hope it will make things easier though, like you say x

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 23:05

      Less going out (again)! so more time for baking!😋

      Reply
  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 23:14

    That can’t be a bad thing☺️It will add to the autumnal feeling over there…or will you have 32′ like us next week?🙄😜

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 23:19

      We’ve lots of apples that need cooking and we’re going to forage for plums too! Allegedly 28c here next week! 🤔

      Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 23:20

      Only just realised you changed your name🤦🏽‍♀️

      Reply
  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 23:30

    Hubby came back from tennis last week with lots of apples and plums haha. The plums aren’t really ripe yet (typically from a supermarket) but the apple-corer-slicer I was given came in useful for the apples! They’re in my freezer now in various tubs. I just like to top porridge with them and of course the usual crumble (I don’t add sugar to apple filling). My in-laws often mention about our plum tree in our garden back home…those plums are in their freezer now lol

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 23:39

      Perfect! I was hoping for more fruit to the freezer this year, but only managed redcurrants and blueberries so far! Oh,🙈🙊I don’t add sugar to any crumble fruit… if you add cinnamon it acts as a natural sweetener (even for rhubarb)! I had mango & apple crumble this week with a date crumble topping! 😍👍🏼I really need to find some plums!

      Reply
  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 23:44

    I love tangy sour flavours but even I have to put a fair bit of sugar or syrup in rhubarb! I wish I could just add cinnamon to it and be done haha. Have I already mentioned I like to add lemon to porridge and custard?

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 23:54

      Nooooo😬 you and your lemon🍋In custard really?! Try a sweet apple with the rhubarb (& young rhubarb is less tart)!

      Reply
      • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 10:13

        It really does work haha (maybe not if you aren’t a fan of lemon in sweet things!) I actually got the custard idea from my mother-in-law… I love it but my Bristolian sis-in-law not so keen lol.

        Reply
        • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 10:29

          Lemon is for water! End of!😋 Or, cooling off a hot chilli when you’ve accidentally made it too hot🙈

          Reply
          • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 19:00

            Haha, I honestly wish I liked lemon water- I know it’s very good for you. It must be the only lemon-y thing I’m not keen on😛

          • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 19:38

            Noooo… not even hot lemon water? It’s very good for cleansing! and tasty too!

      • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 10:15

        Good idea about adding sweet apples to rhubarb 👍 I’ve noticed the supermarkets here stock it in July/August and strawberries seem to be a big thing in April!

        Reply
        • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 10:26

          We picked our first rhubarb (forced rhubarb) pre lockdown! Oh, I’ve got a second wave of strawberries at the minute… I love going outside first thing in the morning and popping them in my mouth!

          Reply
  • tulips79 11th September 2020 at 23:47

    The mango and apple filling sounds unusual but delish. Yum at the date crumble topping! I should leave you in peace now and I need to read up on my massage therapy notes lol😛

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 11th September 2020 at 23:56

      All fruits go in crumble (okay maybe not melon) OMGosh brainwave (let me write myself note about something)! We’ve even had pineapple crumble! 😋 Oh, it’s a bit late to be reading notes?

      Reply
  • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 10:07

    I felt a little nervous so couldn’t sleep☺️Luckily I got up in time lol. Just did an aromatherapy massage and a hot stone pedicure, it’s nice seeing my clients again. Now on a mini coffee break. Have a good day, not too busy I hope x

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 10:30

      Oh… back to work! Are you wearing a mask? visor? both? What about the clients?

      Reply
      • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 18:54

        Hi Laurena, not sure if my reply went through just now so I’ll try again☺️ My boss bought a visor for me and I wear my mask underneath, very fetching lol. Clients only wear masks during pedicures and manicures x

        Reply
        • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 19:37

          Doubly protected then, that’s good. Hopefully the weather will cool down for you again soon so it makes it a bit easier!

          Reply
  • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 20:03

    Especially not lemon water😋Mum used to make me drink it first thing in the morning, I never enjoyed it (sometimes it was lukewarm water with ACV). Builders’ tea for me (without the sugar!). I know lemon water is very cleansing though…my ‘excuse’ is that it would be bad for my tooth enamel (I do genuinely have an issue there)😜

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 20:59

      😋😂@builders tea (love you Dad). Oh😬lukewarm with ACV no no no… it has to be boiling hot just with a slice of fresh lemon!

      Reply
      • tulips79 12th September 2020 at 22:02

        Keep up the good habit with the lemon water👍…and wishing you a lovely Sunday in advance☺️

        Reply
        • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 12th September 2020 at 22:45

          You too. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. x

          Reply
  • Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons 17th September 2020 at 18:14

    This is my favorite Christmas cookie, I adore shortbread. Thank you so much for sharing on Fiesta Friday. Brilliant idea.

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 17th September 2020 at 18:51

      Thank you Liz. We love shortbread at any time of year, and this one is so delicious! I hope you get around to trying it. Thank you for co-hosting again!

      Reply
  • Sarah 18th September 2020 at 14:15

    This is such a great idea! I love it!

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 18th September 2020 at 14:28

      Thank you Sarah. It’s so good! I’d love to see pictures if you make some! 😊

      Reply
      • Sarah 23rd September 2020 at 06:59

        I will definitely share them!

        Reply
  • theyogaheal 20th September 2020 at 03:18

    It seems very tasty.

    Reply
    • Laurena@LifeDietHealth 20th September 2020 at 09:02

      Thank you. I hope you get to try it.

      Reply
  • Fiesta Friday #346 - Fiesta Friday 25th September 2020 at 13:02

    […] Chocolate & Vanilla Marbled Shortcake […]

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