It’s that time of year again, you know when we eat stuff we shouldn’t and then spend the next two months trying to get ourselves back in line again…well I am thrilled to help you out with that…a family tradition in my family other than sausage rolls are super delicious shortbread cookies.
Here is a recipe that I have used forever from the Joy of Cooking…
*Just a side note…these are NOT Gluten or sugar free :)
Shortbread Cookies:
- 2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon (2 grams) salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered (confectioners or icing) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (4 grams) pure vanilla extract
In a separate bowl mix the flour together with the salt. Set aside.
In your mixer or a large bowl beat the butter until smooth and creamy(about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Gently stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated. You want it to be mixed well but not beat to death, this will affect the deliciousness…
Flatten the dough into a disk shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill the dough for at least an hour or until it is firm and easy to work with.
Preheat your oven to 350 °
Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough into a 1/4 inch thick circle. Using a cookie cutter or small glass, cut out your cookies.
Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until cookies are very lightly browned.
Cool on a wire rack.
You can decorate these cookies if you like, sometimes I put sprinkles on before I bake them and you can totally dip them in chocolate when you are finished and the cookies have cooled!!
Here is a chocolate dip that will make them even more decadent…
- 2 tsp shortening
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Mix both ingredients together in a small bowl, melt in microwave or if you prefer in a double boiler (omit the bowl in this case) until the mixture is smooth and creamy (about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes in the microwave). Dip the cookies halfway in the chocolate mixture once they have cooled off, put on wax paper until chocolate is set.
Merry Christmas baking!!
