Really Easy Shortbread

Though I don't generally have a sweet tooth (I'm a savory person myself), I have a serious week spot for shortbread cookies with a good cup of coffee or black tea. My first ventures into shortbread were an absolute disaster! I'm not even sure what happened...well to be honest I probably wasn't paying attention and let the butter get way too warm. Anyway, I am happy to announce that this recipe is incredibly easy, and you can even make the dough and stash it for later in your fridge or freezer. Genius for when you have those cravings or last minute company.


EQUIPMENT
Stand Mixer (or large bowl and hand mixer)
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spatula
Wax or Parchment Paper
Plastic Wrap
Baking Sheet


INGREDIENTS*
1 1/2C. Unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/3C. Sugar
2t. Salt
3 Egg Yolks
2T. Vanilla
Inside Scrapings of 1/2 a Vanilla Bean
3 3/4C. Flour


In a mixing bowl, combine butter, sugar and salt. Cream on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. One at a time add egg yolks, mixing until incorporated after each addition. Add the vanilla extract and vanilla scrapings. Scrap the bowl with a spatula to make sure you get everything off the sides and mixed in.

Turn the mixer off and add the flour. Turn the mixer back on to low speed and mix until flour is completed incorporated. Working on wax or parchment paper, form the dough into four 10-inch logs 1 1/4" in diameter; wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Cut log into 1/2-inch rounds. If desired you may dip one side of the dough round in fine sugar. Arrange cookies 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet.
Bake until golden brown, about 15-20 minutes.
Cool on wire rack and enjoy.


*If you would like to try something different add 1 1/2-2t of the following to your dough, before you shape it into logs.
Lemon or Lime Zest
Food grade lavender
Rosemary
Cardamom

Basically play with it and have fun. If you're experimenting you can always divide your dough and add different things and amounts to different logs. Make sure you write down whatever you do so you know what works and what doesn't work. Don't be afraid to fail, for if we do not fail once in a while we can not truly succeed.


Comer!