1 2 3 4 Holiday Shortbread Recipes

DAD'S CHRISTMAS SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light. Stir in the cornstarch and sugar. Gradually add the flour mixing until a soft dough forms. (Dad mixes his by hand and shared that sometimes you have to ditch the spoon and just get your hands in there to form the dough). Form dough in to a ball and wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to chill.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll your dough 1/4-inch thick. Take care to ensure that your dough is rolled as evenly as possible, so that cookies cook evenly. Using a cookie cutter, cut shapes and place on to an un-greased baking sheet. You can re-roll your scraps and cut more, as well. Once your cookies are cut, top with quartered glace cherries, sprinkles or nuts. Place cookie sheet with cookies in to the freezer for 10-15 minutes. (You can also freeze the cut dough in freezer bags once solid on the cookie sheet for up to 2 weeks and bake later or as needed.)
• Preheat oven to 275°F with rack in centre of oven. Bake for about 30 minutes for cookies that have been lightly chilled. If cooking from frozen, they may take up to 45 minutes. Cookies should be firm but shouldn't brown at all, even around the edges. They really just dry as they cook.
• Cool on racks then transfer to cookie tin or freeze. These cookies keep well and get better with age.

1-2-3-4 HOLIDAY SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Position two racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium speed until well incorporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the flour and salt and mix on low speed to combine, about 1 minute.
• Put the colored sugars in individual bowls.
• Using a 3/4-ounce cookie scoop, scoop balls of dough and roll them with your hands. (Alternatively scoop 2-tablespoon sized balls.) Roll the balls in your sanding sugar color of choice to coat on all sides, pressing lightly to adhere. Then flatten them into disks about 1/2 inch thick.
• Place the dough rounds on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 1 inch of space between each.
• Bake until set and slightly golden, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet.

REAL ENGLISH SHORTBREAD OR 123 SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Beat sugar into the softened butter. ( I leave this mixture on the counter for half an hour so that the sugar dissolves into the butter properly. Then pour this into the flour and beat until mixture is white.
• drop by spoonful onto parchment papered cookie sheet place a christmas cherry on top and bake at 300-325 until pale brown. (not sure exactly how long, probably 10- 15 minutes.
• You might want to double the recipe on this one, because you'll end up not being able to put these down.