Basic Shortbread Cookies Recipe – Merely Stacie

Shortbread Cookies are a basic Christmas cookie for a motive. They’re wealthy and buttery, with a tender, tender chunk that nearly melts as quickly as you’re taking a chunk.

With shortbread, you’ll be able to depart it plain or gown it up with sprinkles, coarse sugar, or a drizzle of chocolate for one thing a bit extra festive. They’re good for vacation trays, cookie exchanges, or simply as a result of.

Substances

The complete printable recipe card with measurements and directions is discovered on the backside of the publish.

• Unsalted butter: Ensure it’s totally softened so it lotions easily with the sugar. Chilly butter will depart lumps and have an effect on the feel.
• Powdered sugar: This retains the cookies tender and melt-in-your-mouth. Sift it first if it seems to be lumpy so it blends evenly.
• Vanilla extract: Use a superb high quality vanilla because the taste actually comes by way of in a easy cookie like this.
• All-purpose flour: Measure fastidiously and don’t pack it. An excessive amount of flour could make the dough dry and crumbly.
• Salt: Helps stability the butter and sweetness.
• Sprinkles, coarse sugar, or chocolate drizzle: Add these after chopping the cookies so that they stick nicely and don’t weigh the dough down.

Methods to Make Shortbread Cookies

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Step Two: In a big bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar along with an electrical mixer (or stand mixer with the paddle attachment) till gentle and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Combine in vanilla extract.

• Step Three: Sift collectively the flour and salt, then progressively add them to the butter combination. Stir till the dough comes collectively. It’s going to look crumbly at first however ought to maintain collectively when pressed.

• Step 4: Press the shortbread dough collectively by hand and wrap in plastic. Chill within the fridge for half-hour.

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• Step 5: Flip the dough onto a flippantly floured floor. Roll it out with a rolling pin to about ¼ inch thickness. Minimize into shapes utilizing cookie cutters or slice into rectangles. That is the cookie cutter I used.
• Step Six: If desired, press fork tines into every cookie and add sprinkles to the highest of the dough earlier than baking.
• Step Seven: Place cookies on the ready baking pan and bake for 12–quarter-hour, or till the sides are simply starting to show golden (don’t overbake).
• Step Eight: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then switch to a wire rack to chill fully.
• Step 9: As soon as cooled, you’ll be able to drizzle with melted chocolate, dip one finish in chocolate and add sprinkles, or hold them plain for a basic model.

Variations and Substitutions

• Add citrus taste: Combine in a bit lemon or orange zest for a recent, shiny twist that pairs superbly with the butter.
• Dip or drizzle with chocolate: Soften semi-sweet, milk, or white chocolate and dip one finish of the cookies or drizzle it excessive as soon as cooled.
• Make them festive: Press coloured sugar or vacation sprinkles into the tops earlier than baking for a simple seasonal look.
• Change the form: No cookie cutters? Roll the dough right into a log, chill, and slice into rounds or rectangles.
• Swap the vanilla: Almond extract works nicely right here. Use a small quantity because it’s stronger than vanilla.
• Gluten-free possibility: An excellent 1-to-1 gluten-free flour mix works, however chill the dough a bit longer so it’s simpler to deal with.

Storage Directions

• Room Temperature: Retailer the cookies in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as one week. Layer them with parchment paper in the event that they’re embellished.
• Freezer: Shortbread freezes very nicely. Place baked and cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw at room temperature earlier than serving.
• Make Forward: You may put together the dough upfront and hold it wrapped within the fridge for as much as 2 days, or freeze the dough for as much as 3 months. Let frozen dough thaw barely earlier than rolling and chopping.

Recipe Ideas and Tips

• Don’t rush the creaming step. Beating the butter and powdered sugar till gentle and fluffy helps give the cookies their tender texture.
• If the dough feels crumbly after mixing, press it collectively along with your arms as an alternative of including liquid. It’s going to come collectively as you’re employed it.
• Chill the dough earlier than rolling. This makes it simpler to deal with and helps the cookies hold their form within the oven.
• Roll the dough evenly so the cookies bake on the identical price, and also you don’t find yourself with some overdone and a few too pale.
• Watch the bake time carefully. Shortbread ought to keep gentle in coloration with only a trace of golden brown across the edges. Overbaking will make them dry.
• Let the cookies cool fully earlier than dipping or drizzling with chocolate so it units properly and doesn’t slide off.

Christmas Cookies

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Shortbread Cookies

Created by Stacie Vaughan

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time 30 minutes minutes

Complete Time 1 hour hour

These basic shortbread cookies are wealthy, buttery, and never too candy. A straightforward recipe made with easy elements, good for holidays or on a regular basis baking.

• Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

• In a big bowl, beat the butter and powdered sugar along with an electrical mixer till gentle and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Combine in vanilla extract.

• Sift collectively the flour and salt, then progressively add them to the butter combination. Stir till the dough comes collectively—it’ll look crumbly at first however ought to maintain collectively when pressed.

• Press the dough collectively by hand and wrap in plastic. Chill within the fridge for half-hour.

• Flip the dough onto a flippantly floured floor. Roll it out to about ¼ inch thickness. Minimize into shapes utilizing cookie cutters or slice into rectangles.

• If desired, press fork tines into every cook dinner and add sprinkles into the tops of the cookies earlier than baking.

• Place cookies on the ready baking sheets and bake for 12–quarter-hour, or till the sides are simply starting to show golden (don’t overbake).

• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for five minutes, then switch to a wire rack to chill fully.

• As soon as cooled, you’ll be able to drizzle with melted chocolate, dip one finish in chocolate and add sprinkles, or hold them plain for a basic model.

• For an additional tender texture, don’t overwork the dough.
• These cookies retailer nicely in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as one week, or they are often frozen for as much as 3 months.
• The variety of cookies you get relies on the cutter measurement you utilize.

Energy: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fats: 8g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Trans Fats: 0.3g | Ldl cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 14mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.5mg

The knowledge proven is an estimate offered by a web based vitamin calculator. It shouldn’t be thought-about an alternative to knowledgeable nutritionist’s recommendation.

Course Dessert

Delicacies American

Key phrase christmas cookies

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