Classic Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies originated in Scotland.

Made with simple and basic ingredients,

 flour, sugar, butter with vanilla 

or almond flavouring.

Whether you bake them plain or 

paired up with jam, they'll be delicious. 

 Ingredients

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup butter at room temperature

1/2 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)

1 tsp pure vanilla  or almond extract

(Optional)Jam for filling.

In a bowl whisk the flour with the salt, set aside.

With an electric beater or hand beater, beat the butter
until smooth, about 1 minute.
Add the icing sugar and mix until combined.
Beat in the vanilla extract.

Gently stir in the flour mixture 

just until incorporated.

Flatten the dough into a disk shape, 

wrap in plastic wrap, and 

chill the dough for at least an hour.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove dough from fridge and let stand at

 room temperature approx. 5-10 minutes

 or until it is soft enough to roll out.

On a lightly floured surface, 

roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

If you are making the jam filled cookie, roll out

approx. 1/8 inch thick. 

Cut out the cookies with a cookie cutter. 

(Divide the cut out cookies into 2

 and cut half of the top ones 

with a small cookie cutter.

Knead the leftover scraps of dough

 into a ball and roll out again.

If you are using jam filled cookies,

Spread some jam on each of the 

cookie bottoms. 

Set a cutout cookie on top of each,

 pressing the two together 

so they make a sandwich.

( Optional) Sprinkle the top with 

icing sugar before placing

 on the bottoms, if desired.

Place the unbaked cookies on

 a baking sheet in the refrigerator

 for about 15 minutes.

This will firm up the dough so the

 cookies will maintain their shape when baking.

Preheat oven to 350deg. F

Bake for about 10-15 minutes or 

until cookie edges are lightly browned.

Let cool completely.

Can be stored in an air-tight container for a few week.

Shortbread cookies freeze well also.

Two batches of cookies in this photo.

 

Thanks for your visit xo