Melt-in-your-mouth Shortbread

Melt-in-your-mouth shortbread is a delicious and buttery treat that is quite simple to prepare. Here’s a recipe to help you make it:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or do this by hand with a wooden spoon.
3. Add the vanilla extract (if using) to the butter mixture and mix it in until well combined.

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt.
2. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition. The dough will be crumbly at first, but continue mixing until it comes together into a smooth dough.
3. Transfer the dough to a clean surface or pastry board and gently knead it a few times to ensure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
4. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) using a rolling pin. You can lightly flour the surface to prevent sticking if needed.
5. Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters or slice it into squares or rectangles using a sharp knife. Prick each cookie with a fork to create small holes on the surface, which will help prevent the shortbread from puffing up during baking.
6. Transfer the cookies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat, leaving a little space between each cookie.

1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a light golden brown. The shortbread should still be pale in the center.
2. Once baked, remove the shortbread from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. They will be delicate when warm, so handle them with care.
3. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. As they cool, they will firm up and become even more melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
4. Once cooled, store the shortbread in an airtight container at room temperature. They can be enjoyed immediately or kept for several days.

That’s it! You now have a batch of melt-in-your-mouth shortbread cookies ready to be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee.