Butter Up Your Friends with Scottish Shortbread
Be the hit of your cookie exchange! Shortbread is perhaps the most iconic Scottish treat - and it's sure to be a hit with your friends at the holidays. Here's an easy recipe for classic buttery shortbread with just a few ingredients:
Ingredients:
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
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1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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1/4 tsp salt
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Holiday colored sanding sugar, for decoration
Instructions:
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Beat the butter and confectioners' sugar together in a large bowl using electric hand beaters until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
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Stir in the flour and salt until just incorporated into a smooth dough.
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On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a flat round disc about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and prick with a fork across the top. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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Chill dough for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300°F.
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Sprinkle the tops of the shortbread wedges generously with sanding sugar. Bake for 40 minutes until lightly golden at the edges but still pale on top.
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Allow to cool on the baking sheet. Once cool enough to handle carefully transfer the delicate shortbread cookies with a spatula onto a cooling rack until set.
Enjoy your delicious, rich yet easy Scottish shortbread! Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.