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:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- If you want, you can prick each cookie with a fork to create a classic shortbread design.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
