Shortbread is a traditional holiday cookie that is both rich and buttery in flavor. Despite being popular around Christmas, the cookies are delicious and easy enough that you can make them for any occasion throughout the year. It is a versatile cookie that can be made with numerous variations, such as with cinnamon, orange or lemon, espresso powder or even dipped in chocolate. They can even be made into different shapes and the dough can be easily frozen for future use. The best shortbread, however, is probably the simplest recipe of them all. One that includes around three to four ingredients yet never lacks the melt-in-your-mouth flavor that is often enjoyed. If you would like to know how to make shortbread, this step-by-step guide will explain the equipment, ingredients and directions you will need as well as any variations.

‘’’Equipment’’’

• 2 mixing bowls
• Electric mixer or hand mixer
• Rolling pin
• Whisk
• Plastic wrap
• Parchment paper
• 2 baking sheets
• A variety of preferred cookie cutters (optional)
• Oven
• Refrigerator

‘’’Ingredients’’’

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare the baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper.
2. Take one of the mixing bowls and whisk flour and salt together. After doing so, set aside in another area for the time being.
3. In another bowl, use an electric or hand mixer to cream the butter until it has become smooth.
4. Add sugar and continue to mix until smooth.
5. Add the vanilla extract and continue to beat into the mixture.
6. Gradually incorporate the flour to make a dough.
7. Flatten the dough into a disk shape and wrap in plastic wrap. Place the dough in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.
8. Once the dough has chilled, lightly flour a surface and roll the dough out to ¼ inches thick.
9. Cut the dough into circles use cookie cutters to make shapes. You can even just drop the dough onto the cookie sheets.
10. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets and place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to help the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
11. Place in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies become slightly golden brown.
12. Allow the cookies to cool and then serve.

As mentioned, the shortbread cookie recipe is fairly simple, yet there are many ways to add to or substitute ingredients. For instance, in some recipes, almond extract or maple syrup is used instead of vanilla extract. Some recipes have also added ingredients such as lemon juice, espresso powder and coffee granules for extra flavor. Corn starch, flour, butter and powdered sugar are another “melt-in-your-mouth” combination that makes for a good shortbread. You can even add jam to the middle of the cookie by rolling the dough in a ball and then creating an indentation in the center to fill with jam.