Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Vanilla (Optional):
- If desired, add the pure vanilla extract and mix until it’s well incorporated.
4. Combine Flour and Salt:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
5. Add Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter and sugar mixture. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. Form the Dough:
- Use your hands to gently knead the dough in the bowl until it comes together. If it’s crumbly, that’s okay.
7. Roll Out the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness.
8. Cut into Shapes:
- Use a biscuit cutter or a sharp knife to cut the dough into your desired shapes. Traditional shortbread is often cut into fingers or rounds.
9. Prick the Tops:
- To create the classic shortbread pattern, use a fork to prick the tops of the biscuits.
10. Arrange on Baking Sheet:
- Place the shortbread biscuits on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
11. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the biscuits are pale golden in color. They should not brown too much.
12. Cool:
- Allow the shortbread biscuits to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. They will continue to firm up as they cool.
13. Enjoy your homemade shortbread biscuits! They are a delightful treat with tea or coffee and make a lovely gift as well.
Shortbread is a simple yet delicious cookie with a buttery, crumbly texture. You can customize it by adding ingredients like chocolate chips, lemon zest, or finely chopped nuts for a unique flavor.