Certainly! Here’s a simple recipe for classic shortbread cookies:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or the zest of 1 lemon for flavor variation
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add in the flour and salt. Mix until just combined. If you’re using any additional flavorings like vanilla extract or lemon zest, add them in at this stage.
- Gather the dough into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps it firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
- Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. You can use cookie cutters to cut out shapes or simply cut the dough into squares or rectangles with a knife.
- Place the cut-out cookies onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each cookie.
- Prick the tops of the cookies with a fork to create a decorative pattern and to help prevent them from puffing up too much during baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, you can dust the cookies with a little extra powdered sugar if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade shortbread cookies!
These cookies are perfect for any occasion and can be stored in an airtight container for several days. Enjoy!
