Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Shortbread Cookies ~ A Few of My Favorite Things


"Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes...
 Silver white winters that melt into springs -
 These are a few of my favorite things!"

Here is one of my favorite things... Shortbread cookies!


Shortbread Recipe

1 cup soft salted butter
1/2 cup Baker’s Sugar (superfine)
2 cups all purpose white flour (I substitute ½ cup of rice flour and 1-1/2 cups AP flour for a flakier texture which I prefer)

Cream the butter until very light and fluffy. Cream in the sugar a little at a time until the sugar dissolves (this takes a while).

Mix in about 1-1/2 cups flour gently by hand. Turn out on a lightly floured board and knead in only as much flour as is needed to make soft shape-able dough that holds together well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out about 1/3 inch thick and cut into shapes with a knife or cookie cutters, or pat into a 1/3 inch thick round (or rectangle) pan by hand (I use a 9x9x2 pan), prick with a fork every 1-2".

Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 300 degrees for 30 to 50 minutes, (depending on the size you are making...cut-outs will take less time, pan shortbread will take more time) until pale golden brown all over. I like to sift more superfine sugar over the top when they come out of the oven. Let sit for a few minutes before removing to a cooling rack. If you are making pan shortbread, cut into small squares with a very sharp knife right away, then allow to cool.

16 comments:

  1. Oh how lovely Susan!

    I really enjoyed this little visit with you, your darling Santa ornaments, and your yummie looking Shortbread.

    Thank you for sharing the recipe. xo~m.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The snow falling on your black background is striking and I love how you gave your header photo a little season pizazz as well!

    The shortbreads look good but it is really fun to see all of your cute little santas.

    I enjoy coming here each day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Susan, I love that you're sharing your Santas with us. ... They all very nice, but the one in today's first picture is very interesting and colorful. ... Nice presentation of the shortbread ... Is that a Lenox holly dish??

    ReplyDelete
  4. Our fav shortbreads are so similar:) I too love the snow on your starry starry background!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks so much, Mari, Marsha and Monique - M&Ms:)

    Good eyes, Cynthia. It is Lenox..

    ReplyDelete
  6. love stopping by and seeing your xmas! every pic is perfect~

    ReplyDelete
  7. Perfection .... shortbread and Santas!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Shortbreads are among my favorite things too - so simple yet so wonderful! Love the ornaments too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Susan, wonderful shortbreads, I really need to make some. I love the snow on your background!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Susan, the cookies look so good, and I love your Santas! Beautiful..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your "plump" shortbreads have been curious..gotta try them like this. I ADORE the candy cane carrying Santa!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those look good! I have been enjoying the short bread this holiday season.

    ReplyDelete
  13. These cookies look so light and airy. Do they float away?


    Beautiful cookies.

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comment!