Introduction: In the hustle and bustle of daily life, sometimes all we need is a moment of respite and a delicious treat to go with it. Shortbread cookies, with their buttery goodness and crumbly texture, are the perfect accompaniment to your short breaks. In this article, we’ll walk you through a simple and delightful shortbread cookie recipe that’s bound to make your breaks even sweeter.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks or .5 pound) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Prep Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C) to ensure it’s ready when your cookie dough is prepared.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer or a wooden spoon to cream them together until the mixture is light and fluffy.

3. Add Vanilla Extract: Stir in the pure vanilla extract, infusing the dough with a rich and aromatic flavor.

4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Sift the all-purpose flour and salt together. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter-sugar blend. Mix until the ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make your cookies tough instead of delightfully crumbly.

5. Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead it a few times until it comes together. Shape it into a disk for easy rolling.

6. Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch (1.25 cm). Use your favorite cookie cutters to create desired shapes. Place the cut cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between them.

7. Chill the Cookies: Pop the baking sheet with the cut cookies into the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes. Chilling the cookies before baking helps them retain their shape and prevents excessive spreading.

8. Bake to Perfection: Once chilled, transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake the cookies for approximately 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, as shortbread cookies can go from perfect to overly crisp quickly.

9. Cool and Enjoy: Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step ensures the cookies set properly and become delightfully crumbly. Serve with your favorite beverage during your well-deserved short break.

Conclusion: A short break is a precious moment to unwind, and what better way to enhance it than with homemade shortbread cookies? With this simple recipe, you can effortlessly create these buttery treats that melt in your mouth and complement your moments of relaxation. So, the next time you’re yearning for a delightful pause, remember to bake up a batch of these irresistible shortbread cookies.