two shortbread recipes in a row. i obviously wasn't thinking ahead on this one. with valentine's day this week i went to my go-to recipe for decorated cookies. i love these cookies. (and i think everyone else does too.) the shortbread is thin and crisp (and good on its own) and the frosting just the right amount of tart.
Classic Buttery Shortbread
from The Grand Central Baking Book
2 1/3 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 c butter, at room temperature
2/3 c granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat the oven to 350F
Measure the flour and salt into a small bowl and whisk to combing. Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar for at least 6 minutes (should be lighter in color and fluffy). Scrape the bottoms and sides of the bowl several time during the process. Add the vanilla and dry ingredients and mix on low until dough just begins to come together.
Divide the dough into 2 pieces, shape into flat disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Dough now can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 6 months. I chilled overnight. Next morning I brought the dough to room temperature and rolled out on floured surface. Flip once or twice to keep from sticking. Cut with cookie cutters and carefully place the cookies on silpat-lined baking sheet. Chill for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure sharp edges are maintained.
Bake for 10 minutes - rotating the tray half way through. Centers should remain light while edges begin to turn golden. Let cook on the baking sheets.
Royal Icing
from The Grand Central Baking Book
1 egg white (or egg white substitute)
1 1/2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (or more to desired consistency)
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
The girls iced these - and the icing was thicker than I usually make it. Would have been perfect for piping. (I usually pipe then fill in with a spoon) but they opted for a spatula... and sprinkles.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies
K: I love it so much ... not the frosting so much. Maybe not the frosting next time.
E: oK ok, the cookies were excellent!!!! I love the frosting and the shortbread cookie part was delicious. U made the correct quantity and they were an excellent size. Wow there is nothing that I said that is bad about these cookies they must be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! Well there's 1 more thing to say and that's : HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Xo
D: These shortbread are delicious. Classic cookie done to perfection. (Super glad that we got the oven repaired.) And a twist that I enjoyed very much, a tart lemon frosting. I thought that the white tasted better than the pink, but that's only so we can have something to debate later. Xoxo
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