Recipe- Mouthwatering Shortbread Cookies

Shortbread cookies are traditionally made using only four basic ingredients: flour, sugar, butter and vanilla. These cookies have a very high fat content as they contain a lot of butter. So in case you are watching your weight, do not make these cookies!

Ingredients

1.5 cups + ¼ cup all purpose flour
¾ tsp vanilla
1.5 sticks butter [unsalted at room temperature]
½ cup + 1 tbsp Sugar some more to sprinkle on top
a pinch salt
½ cup chocolate chips (optional for dipping the shortbread)

Method

* Preheat oven to 325 F degrees

* In a bowl sift together all purpose flour and salt, set aside.

* In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until just combined.
Add vanilla and mix.

* Add the flour and salt to the butter and sugar mixture slowly.

* Mix on low speed till the dough comes together [sticks to the paddle]

* Cover the dough with a plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

* Dust the surface with some flour and roll the dough to around 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes using cookie cutter.

* Place the cookies on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes until cookie are very light browned.

* Place the shortbread cookies on a wire rack to cool completely.

* To make Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies:

* Melt the chocolate in a microwave or using a double boiler.

* Keep stirring till the chocolate is smooth.

* Take the cooled cookies, one by one and dip them into melted chocolate.

* Keep the chocolate dipped cookies on parchment paper.

* Sprinkle some granulated sugar on top.

* The chocolate will harden after some time. Keep in fridge for 15 minutes to quicken the process.

* Store in an airtight container.