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Shortbread/Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies, where simplicity meets decadence. Crafted from flour, a pinch of salt, and rich, creamy butter, these golden-brown delights melt in your mouth with every bite. Sweetened just right with sugar and a hint of vanilla for an irresistible touch. Perfect for cozy winter evenings or as a charming gift, these cookies embody the warmth of tradition and the joy of homemade treats.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 22 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Scottish
Calories: 118
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups Flour
  • 1/2 tsp. Salt
  • 1/4 cup White Sugar
  • 3/4 cup Butter
  • 1/2 cup Icing Sugar
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Equipment

  • Plastic wrap
  • 2 Mixing bowls
  • Straw
  • Electric hand mixer or wooden spoon
  • Circle cookie cutter

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, sift flour and salt together and put aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream butter, white sugar and icing sugar together for 4-5 minutes.
  3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
  4. Add in the dry ingredients mixing with a wooden spoon until a dough is formed.
  5. The dough will be quite soft, split the dough in half and roll each half into a ball, flatten the balls of dough into a disk shape.
  6. Wrap well in plastic wrap and place both disks in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
  7. Preheat oven to 375°F
  8. On a floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4-1/8 inch thickness
  9. Dip a cookie cutter into some flour (or the rim of a glass cup) to cut the cookies
  10. Place the cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  11. Use a straw to make a hole in the middle of the cookie.
  12. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly coloured.
  13. Repoke the holes and cool on the tray for 2-4 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Notes

To make lemon shortbread cookies, you can replace the vanilla extract with 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. This change will boost the cookies' flavour with a refreshing lemon taste.