shortbread cookies

More Christmas baking today brings you shortbread cookies and gingerbread men (coming next). First the shortbread. A wonderful, and ever-present Christmas cookie made of just four simple ingredients. Butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and flour.

Shortbread dough is very easy to work with and allows for countless variations. You can sub out a bit of the flour for cornstarch or rice flour, changing the texture of the cookie slightly from buttery smooth to slightly crunchy. Then there is the flavour, w.here you can add some citrus or chocolate, or even instant espresso.

On this occasion there was no messing with ingredients, choosing instead, to sprinkle on coloured sugar. I had planned to use my cookie press, but the dough seemed a bit too cool and wasn't playing nice with the press. Switching gears, it was back to cookie cutters. Calling Sarah into action, we conquered the shaping in no time and had pan after pan coming out of the oven. Delicious indeed and a good way to start the day.

Recipe from Joy of Baking.