Treat your taste buds to the irresistible delight of buttery, crumbly shortbread with this delectable recipe. With its rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a hint of vanilla, this classic treat is the epitome of simple elegance. Perfect for tea time or as a thoughtful gift, our shortbread cookies promise a delightful experience that will have you savoring every bite.
How to make delicious shortbread recipe
Shortbread is a classic Scottish baked treat renowned for its rich, buttery flavor and crumbly, tender texture. It's typically made from just a few simple ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour, often with a pinch of salt for balance. The name "shortbread" comes from the term "short," which in baking refers to a crumbly, tender texture due to the high fat content from the butter. Shortbread is often formed into various shapes, such as rounds or fingers, and can be flavored with ingredients like vanilla or citrus zest. It's a beloved dessert or snack, often enjoyed with tea, coffee, or on its own.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until it's light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until a crumbly dough forms. You can add vanilla extract at this point if you like for extra flavor.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead it a few times until it comes together.
- Roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness and cut it into your desired shapes using cookie cutters or slice it into squares or rectangles.
- Place the shortbread pieces on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each.
- Prick each shortbread piece with a fork to create a decorative pattern.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The shortbread should still be pale on top.
- Allow the shortbread to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, enjoy your delicious homemade shortbread cookies with a cup of tea or coffee!This recipe yields buttery, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies that are perfect for snacking or gifting. Enjoy!
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Notes
One important thing to note when making shortbread is not to overmix the dough. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of the desired crumbly texture. Mix the ingredients just until they come together and no more. It's also essential to use softened, not melted, butter to achieve the right consistency. Finally, be patient when baking; shortbread should be baked until the edges are lightly golden, not until it browns all over, to maintain its classic flavor and texture.
Nutrition
Serving: 75g
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