Shortbread
Photo: User:Dave souza, CC BY-SA 2.5
Shortbread is a buttery, crumbly cookie made from just four pantry ingredients. Its name comes from an old sense of the word short, meaning crumbly, and the texture comes from the high proportion of butter to everything else. Because there is so little in the bowl, the quality of the butter shows. A low oven keeps the pieces pale and tender instead of hard, and the fork pricks give them their classic look.
Instructions
Heat the oven to 140°C (275°F or Gas Mark 1).
Beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
Sift the flour and salt over the creamed butter. Work them in with your hands until no dry flour remains and the dough holds together as one mass.
Form the dough into a ball and roll it out to about 1.3 cm (½ inch) thick. If it feels soft and sticky, chill it for 10 to 15 minutes first so it is easier to handle.
Cut the dough into squares or rectangles. Prick the top of each piece with a fork in two parallel lines.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the shortbread is lightly browned.
Transfer the pieces to a cooling rack and let them cool completely. Keep them in an airtight container in a cool place.
Make it personal.
Custom engraved cutting boards, utensils, and kitchen accessories. Great gifts for anyone who cooks.
Shop Custom Chef →Affiliate link · PicksByRecipe may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
