National Walker’s Shortbread Day – January 6, 2025

History of National Walker’s Shortbread Day

Originating in Scotland in the 12th century and benefiting from cultural exchange with French pastry chefs, shortbread’s original recipe calls for a simple mix of butter in the flour. The fattening of the dough shortens it, hence the name ‘shortbread.’ 

It wasn’t until the intervention of Mary, Queen of Scots, that this crumbling delicacy gained national prominence. In the 16th century, she refined the recipe and propagated its triangular sizing to match them with her preferred petticoat tails. After the introduction of sugar to the United Kingdom, the 17th-century shortbread became a sweet biscuit, best enjoyed with evening tea. We could trace shortbread’s cultural footprint back to William Shakespeare’s 17th-century play, “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

Walker’s Shortbread was born when Joseph Walker founded Walker’s company in 1898, by serving a true Scottish traditional treat. Today, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue the fine baking tradition that he started in the Highlands of Scotland 125 years ago. Their shortbread is still baked as it always has been with only 4 ingredients, including pure creamery butter, flour, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Walker’s shortbread remains proud of being a sustainable business that works on reducing plastic and looks forward to continuing the efforts in other areas across the business. 

When looking at Walker’s product range, there is the best-known and most iconic product, the Shortbread Finger, which has a crunchy yet crumbly texture and delicious all butter taste – Did you know that Walker’s Fingers will always have 13 holes? A baker’s dozen to let steam escape during baking. 

Walker’s range of products comes in its distinctive tartan packaging which provides its Scottish character both inside and out. It is recognized as a mark of excellence worldwide and a true Scottish classic.