Coronation Cookies (Shortbread Crowns)
Coronation Cookies are delicious buttery shortbread cookies shaped as crowns. They are simply decorated with jelly sweets to represent the jewels on the crown. These cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III.
Why make Coronation Cookies?
I know many people will be planning celebrations for the Coronation of King Charles III. Whether these are small family gatherings or full on street parties, the one thing that’s certain is that there will be food involved!
Afternoon Tea is a great way to celebrate. It’s easy to eat and you can include savouries and sweet treats. I hope you will include these Coronation Cookies as they are not difficult to make. Older children can make the cookies themselves and younger children will love to decorate them.
When is the Coronation?
The Coronation of King Charles III will take place on Saturday 6th May 2023 and it will be televised across the world. The Coronation is a formal religious and symbolic ceremony and includes the act of physically placing the crown on the monarch’s head. You can read more about what happens at the ceremony and about related events on the BBC website.
What ingredients do I need to make Coronation Cookies (Shortbread Crowns)?
You will only need three ingredients to make the cookies and then a few more for the decoration. You will need:
- Flour
- Butter
- Sugar
- Royal Icing (confectioners) sugar (powder or ready-made)
- Jelly sweets
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What equipment do I need?
- Large bowl
- Rolling pin
- Crown cookie cutter
- Baking parchment or a non-stick baking mat
- Palette knife
- Cotton bud (optional)
- 2 flat baking sheets
- Wire cooling tray
What kind of flour should I use?
Use plain (all-purpose) flour to make the shortbread biscuits. These cookies don’t need any raising agent so good quality plain white flour is all that is needed.
What kind of butter should I use?
I use standard salted butter because that is what I have in the fridge. If you prefer you can use unsalted butter however, you may then need to add a pinch of salt to the flour. Take the butter out of the fridge for a few hours to soften as this will make it easier to work into the flour.
Can I substitute Non-Dairy Spread for the butter?
I make this recipe with butter as it is key to the flavour of the shortbread biscuits. If you wish to use a non-dairy spread then make sure it is a full fat version that is suitable for baking. I have not tested the recipe with a dairy-free spread and cannot guarantee the results.
What kind of sugar should I use to make the Coronation Cookies?
Use caster or superfine white sugar for the shortbread recipe. The fine granules of sugar mean that they melt quickly into the mixture and there is no grittiness. If you don’t have any fine sugar then blitz some granulated sugar for a few seconds to reduce the size of the crystals. Be careful not to overprocess and end up with icing (confectioners) sugar.
Is it difficult to make shortbread cookie dough?
It’s really very simple and it only takes a few minutes to knead the butter into the flour. Then suddenly you will find that the dough has come together. All the butter will have merged with the flour, sugar and you will have a pliable dough.
Do I need to chill the Coronation cookie dough?
There is no need to chill the dough, in fact, chilling will make it more difficult to roll out. You can make roll and cut out your Coronation Cookies straight away.
Tips for using the Crown Cookie Cutter
Shaped cookies are a little more tricky to cut out than the standard circles. The cutter that I chose has fine points which need a little more attention. There are many different styles of crown cookie cutters and some of them have wider points which will make it easier. Here are some tips for cutting out your Coronation Cookies:
- Dip the cookie cutter into some extra flour before cutting each cookie. This will help to prevent the cookie cutter from sticking to the dough.
- Use a cotton bud to gently ease the dough from the points of the crown.
- Use a palette knife to ease the shortbread cookie dough from the pastry mat or parchment paper that you roll the cookies on.
- If some of the dough sticks and your cut-out breaks, then you can re-roll the dough and cut try again.
How many Coronation Cookies (Shortbread Crowns) does this recipe make?
I make 20 Coronation Cookies with this recipe. However, the number of cookies depends very much on the size of your cutter and how thick you roll the dough.
Can I reduce or increase the recipe?
Yes, you can halve the recipe to make 10 Coronation Cookies. If you want to double the recipe I recommend that you make the shortbread in two batches as it is more difficult to manage a larger batch of dough.
Can I bake Coronation Cookies in my Air Fryer?
Yes, you absolutely can, although you will need to bake them in batches. I tested the cookies in both a drawer-type air fryer and an oven-type air fryer at 160C/320F for 8 minutes. I suggest that you test a single cookie in your air fryer because all air fryers are slightly different.
And I would recommend lining your baking trays and air fryer drawer with baking parchment or a non-stick baking sheet as the cookies are likely to stick otherwise.
How do I store the cookies?
Shortbread will keep fresh in an airtight tin or plastic box for up to 2 weeks. It’s best to store the Coronation Cookies without their decoration and add the sweets one to two days before you plan to eat them because after that the icing (frosting) and sweets can start to make the cookies soft.
Can I freeze Coronation Shortbread Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the shortbread cookies undecorated for up to 3 months. Then defrost at room temperature on a wire rack. Refresh the cookies in the oven for 2 or 3 minutes and cool on a wire rack before decorating.
How should I decorate the Coronation Cookies?
You can add any kind of edible cake decorations to the cookies. I like to use small jelly sweets (candies) that are covered in sparkling sugar because they look a little like jewels.
The sweets are also nicer to eat than some of the dragees (sugar balls) that are sold for cake decoration. You could also use sugar-coated chocolate beans or any other sweets that give the impression of jewels.
How do I get the decorations to stick to the cookies?
I use powdered royal icing sugar to stick the decorations to the cookies. It is readily available in supermarkets next to the standard icing (confectioners) sugar. However, it sets harder than standard icing sugar and really holds the decorations in place.
You can also use ready-made royal icing which you can buy in tubs or tubes in the cake decorating section of the store. If you can’t get this type of icing, then use melted white chocolate which will set hard and hold the decorations in place.
Vegetarian
There are only three ingredients in the shortbread cookie recipe flour, butter and sugar so they are suitable for a vegetarian diet. Please check the packet information of the decorations you use to ensure that they meet your dietary requirements.
Gluten Free
This recipe contains wheat flour and is therefore not suitable for a GF diet.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How do I serve Coronation Cookies (Shortbread Crowns)
Coronation Cookies are ideal to serve as part of an afternoon tea or street party buffet. The Crown shapes are an obvious link to the event and the decorations make them fun. They would also be a fun bake for children’s parties with a Prince or Princess theme.
More ideas for your Coronation Party
Air Fryer Scones are classic light and fluffy British scones baked in your air fryer! This quick and easy recipe makes four delicious scones that simply melt in your mouth. Serve them with jam and cream for a delicious afternoon tea.
More Scone Recipes
Coronation Chicken was a recipe created for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and it’s still a British favourite. This simple and delicious dressing transforms cold chicken or turkey into a classic to serve as a salad and in sandwiches.
More sandwich fillings
Scottish Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Tart is a delicious combination of smoked salmon, soured cream egg custard, and fresh asparagus spears. Add a slice of this seasonal treat to your Coronation feast.
More Savoury Tart and Quiche Recipes
PIN FOR LATER
Coronation Cookies (Shortbread Crowns)
Ingredients
- 300 grams (2 cups) plain (all purpose) flour
- 100 grams (½ cups) caster sugar superfine
- 200 grams (1 cups) butter slightly softened
For the decoration
- 50 g (3½ tbsp) royal icing powder
- 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) water approximately
- 150 g (½ cups) jelly sweets or other decorations
Instructions
- Sift the 300 g (2 cups) flour into a bowl and stir in the 100 g (½ cup) caster sugar.
- Keep the 200 g (1 cup) butter in one piece and gradually work it into the flour and sugar with your fingertips until it comes together into a dough. Knead well
- Dust the work surface with a little flour then pat the dough down and use a rolling pin to roll the dough to about 1/2 cm (1/8 in). You may have to keep pushing the dough back together again as it is very crumbly.
- Cut out the biscuits (cookies) with a cookie cutter.
- Gently ease the cookies off the work surface with a palette knife (and cotton bud if required) and place onto a baking sheet.
- Roll out the remaining dough and keep cutting until all the dough is used.
- Bake in the oven at 180/170C Fan/ 325F for about 8 minutes until firm and pale golden brown. Lift onto a cooling tray with a spatula and leave to cool.
- Coronation Cookies can be stored for up to two weeks in an airtight container or frozen for up to 3 months.
To decorate
- Sieve the royal icing sugar into a bowl. You can use ready made royal icing sugar or melted white chocolate as an alternative to attach the decorations.
- Gradually add the water to the royal icing sugar until you have a stiff paste that will stick to your spoon. If it becomes too wet add a little more powder.
- Use a palette knife and spread a pea sized blob of royal icing onto each sweet (candy) and press them onto the cooled shortbread crowns. Leave until they are set hard.
- Serve for afternoon tea or as part of a party buffet.
These crowns were so easy to make. The nieces loved making them… and eating them too. The decorations kept disappearing though ?
I have loved your shortbread for years and can’t wait to make these with my nephews ready for the coronation.
That’s so kind of you to say. I hope your nephews enjoy the crowns.
I’m already a huge fan of your Scottish shortbread and these coronation crowns look perfect. Ideal for coronation parties. I’m also partial to a Jellytot!
They are fun to make and eat especially with the jelly tots.
love these, they’re so cute and the jelly tots are such a simple and effective decoration!
They are fun.