The History of Shortbread Shortbread is a traditional Scottish biscuit that is usually made using sugar, butter and flour. The biscuit could be found across the country throughout the 12th Century onwards, with the shortbread we know and love today being credited to Mary, Queen of Scots in the 16th Century. How to Make Your Own Shortbread Kilts This week at the School of ScotlandShop we're learning how to make your own shortbread with a colourful twist.