Hey everyone , I'm new to the forum but have always been reading up on solutions here posted by the helpful community.

So I decided to make some shortbread cookies this "Melt-In-your-mouth Shortbread" recipe I've come across online. Anyhow, I decided I wanted it to be fancy looking and attempted to pipe the batter onto my baking tray.

I had 2 attempts, first time I placed them straight into the oven after piping them on - which resulted in the cookies completely losing it's shape and melting into a round shape. I Googled for some solutions and read that to help it keep its shape I should pop them in the fridge or freezer for a few hours.

On my 2nd attempt I piped them on and poped them in the freezer for about 2 hours - before baking them in my oven. In my mind, I'm thinkin' wouldn't the outside of the cookies overcook before the center's done? Anyway, it didn't really work - as the still lost thier shape, but I could still see a little bit of my piped pattern on the surface of the cookie (Note: Like little hills)

Any ideas what I am doing wrong? or Advice on how should I proceed to improve my results? 

Thanks in advance,

Romeo  

It would help to know what recipe you are using.

AIt's possible that you're over beating your butter.