Introduction: Delight your taste buds with the irresistible charm of homemade shortbread cookies. In this straightforward recipe, we’ll guide you through creating these buttery, crumbly delights that have been a beloved treat for generations. With just a few basic ingredients and a dash of enthusiasm, you’ll be savoring the simple pleasures of shortbread in no time. Whether you enjoy them plain or with a dusting of powdered sugar, these classic cookies are perfect for every occasion. Let’s embark on a journey to create these timeless treasures!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon.
3. Sift in the all-purpose flour and add the salt. If you’d like to add a hint of vanilla flavor, you can also add the vanilla extract at this point. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix; just combine the ingredients until they come together.
4. Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it’s smooth. You can use a rolling pin to roll it out to about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thickness.
5. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes from the dough. Place the cutout cookies on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
6. If you want, you can prick each cookie with a fork to create a classic shortbread design.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15-18 minutes or until the edges of the cookies start to turn a light golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of your cookies.
8. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once the shortbread cookies are completely cool, you can enjoy them as they are or dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.

These classic shortbread cookies are buttery, crumbly, and absolutely delicious. They make a wonderful treat for any occasion!