Shortbread Cookies

I'm not sure  if I've ever met anyone who didn't like shortbread. I know lots of people that love it though. It's such a simple cookie, and a real treat to eat because of it's simplicity. I love that it can be baked in a cake pan, cut into squares, cut with shortbread cookie stencils, or just cut out with cookie cutters. There are so many options. In addition, you could do as I did with some of them...dip them in bittersweet chocolate.

Shortbread cookies are perfect for holiday cookie trays or stacking in a cute little bag and tying with a ribbon for a gift. I used clear plastic cookie stamps like the ones below (the same company actually).

I left most of them plain but dipped about 6 in some melted bittersweet chocolate and they were delicious! I like mixing it up and turning one cookie into two flavors :). One of the reasons I like shortbread is because of the texture, and it doesn't spread when you bake it. That makes it possible to imprint the patterns on the cookies and still be able to see them after they bake. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Shortbread Cookies
Makes about 15 2” cookies

Ingredients:
- ¾ cup butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Blend together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in flour until blended completely, but do not overwork the dough.
2. Roll the dough to 1/4”-1/3” thick. Cut into the desired shapes. Place on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The top of the cookies should not brown.

Printable recipe

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker Cooky Book (printed in 1977)

This recipe may be linked up to:

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· Sweet as Sugar Cookies - Sweets for a Saturday 
· Mandy's Recipe Box - Totally Tasty Tuesday's

· A Pinch of Joy - Busy Monday Link Party 

· House of Hepworth's - Hookin up with HoH 

· Cups by Kim - Sweet & Simple Sunday  

· Couponing & Cooking - Mealtime Monday 

· What's Cooking, Love? - Showcase Your Talent Thursday 

· Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo - Anything Goes Linky
· Chef in training - Tuesday Talent Show

· Dwell on Joy - Dwell on Friday 

· Six Sister's Stuff - Strut Your Stuff Saturday

· Something Swanky: Desserts & Designs - Sweet Treats Thursday 

· A Slice of Southern - Southern Sundays