Walkers Shortbread

Walkers is represented with words “The World's Finest Shortbread”. Well, we might not know that for certain, but they do deserve a place in our Top Brands section.

Shortbread is mostly known by its American cousin's name, cookies, and it’s different from shortcake even though they share some similarities. Shortbread resulted from medieval biscuit bread, which was a twice-baked, enriched bread roll dusted with sugar and spices and hardened into a hard, dry, sweetened biscuit called a rusk. This Scottish bakery has a variety of products and mostly can be categorised as shortbread, oatcakes, biscuits, cakes and tarts.

As it says on their website, Walkers have been baking shortbread in the Scottish Highlands since 1898 and all this time, the company stayed in the family. That's quite the history! Walkers are proudly stating they're still using only the finest pure ingredients with no artificial colours, flavourings, or additives.

The whole story began when the twenty-one-year-old Joseph Walker opened the doors of his own bakery with a loan of £50 and the ambition to bake “The World's Finest Shortbread”. Now, Walkers Shortbread operates four factories in Aberlour HQ and two in nearby Elgin, Scotland.

Their shortbread range includes even gluten free, vegetarian and kosher OUD products, as well as seasonal treats. If you're looking for a specific and sweet gift, they have something for you; from Christmas-themed to Mother's Day shortbreads treats and mustn't forget the everyday treats. We all love those the most, right?

Walkers new Gluten Free range includes three options - Pure Butter Shortbread, Chocolate Chip Shortbread and Ginger and Lemon Shortbread.

Other shortbread categories include chocolate, minis and variety of packaging (tins, cartons, everyday packets and snackpacks). Packaging options for Walkers biscuits also include cartons, minibags and snackpacks. In its distinctive tartan packaging, Walkers range of products is packed with Scottish character, both inside and out.

A delicious and versatile choice, Walkers Oatcakes carry a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II.

When it comes to cakes and tarts, Walkers source the juiciest vine fruits, and the finest quality nuts and spices to make outstandingly tasty cakes and tarts. Moist slab cakes come in two sizes, one for every day and one for larger gatherings. Cakes and tarts categories include Ecclefechan tarts, fruit cakes, slab cakes, snackpacks and meringues.

Walkers shortbread recipe is a closely guarded secret, but here is a good traditional recipe for a homemade shortbread.

500g plain flour

250g caster sugar

250g semolina or ground rice

500g butter, plus extra for greasing

Mix all the dry ingredients together well, then rub in the butter with your fingertips. Press into a lightly greased shallow 25 x 35cm tin.

Prick the dough all over with a fork, and bake in a slow oven, at 150C/gas mark 2, for about an hour or until it is a pale biscuit colour.

So, what's the secret of their success? We're not sure, maybe it's the family heritage or the special flavour of local factories where they make them. We do know that Walkers Shortbread is one of the most beloved brands in UK and definitely number one in Scotland.

Walker products are sold worldwide and is Scotland's biggest exporter of ambient food.