Basic Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients
2 cups butter - softened
(not margerine)
(If using unsalted butter, you will need to
add 1/4-1/2 tsp salt
adjust according to your taste)
1 cup white sugar
2 Tsp pure vanilla
4 cups flour
Directions
Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla and flour and mix well.
If dough is too soft, chill for 30-60 min.
From here, you can press through a cookie mold, form dough into small balls,roll in powdered sugar,roll out dough and use shaped cutters or cut into strips,etc.
Bake in 350 deg preheated oven for 10-12 min or until just barely brown.
Cool and store in an air tight container.
This is a basic melt in your mouth recipe and there are any amount of variations,just use your imagination.
Replace vanilla with another flavored extract. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts ( by adding chopped pecans, they become pecan sandies).For holidays, stir in different food colorings or, you can dip one end of the baked cookie into chocolate(referred to as royal shortbread)
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