My perfect day sounds something like this: Leisurely wake up call on the lake, sip hot coffee, run with J and P, flip through cookbooks, plan anniversary dinner, bake 6 dozen cookies for Valentines deliveries…And thats exactly what I have accomplished so far today. Absolute heaven.
These old-fashioned shortbread cookies come to you all the way from Pittsburgh. The cookie is relatively new to me, but somehow preparing them evokes feelings of nostalgia. They are dainty, simple and easy to make. Unlike some shortbread, they melt in your mouth.
DAINTY SHORTBREAD COOKIES
makes 24 small cookies
You will need:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup corn starch
3/4 cup SALTED butter, at room temperature
Fold all ingredients together with a wooden spoon or if you’re impatient like me, feel free to use your clean hands. Also, remember to measure precisely when baking.
Form dough into two flat balls. I doubled the recipe and therefore ended up with four balls.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Refrigerate dough for thirty minutes.
Pull out one dough ball from the fridge.
Flour a surface, lightly.
Roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut into your favorite shape.
Place on a cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-18 minutes. I understand this is a wide range cooking time. It really depends on your oven and the size cookies you cut. Keep an eye on the dainty things, and pull them out of the oven just as the edges begin to turn light brown.
Package up for your favorite valentine! See Vintage Valentines for a great packaging idea. Or fold cookies in parchment paper and tie with red bakers twine.
Notes (after making 10 dozen)
- Be sure to flour the surface and top of the dough but don’t over flour. The cookies are so delicate that the extra flour can change the taste.
-I made three different size hearts. When baking, only bake like-size cookies on the same cookie sheet. This ensures that they cook evenly.
-You can refrigerate longer than 30 minutes but you may need to leave the dough ball out for a bit for easier rolling.
-I repeat, these cookies are dainty and delicate but do not be afraid of them!
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