My favourite shortbread recipe

Hello Squirrels

I'd like to share with you my favourite shortbread cookie recipe from Joy of Baking. 

This year I'll be making love letter cookies with personalised messages and I'd like to show you how to make them for Valentine's Day. Hold your horses, though - one step at a time! First, here's how to bake the perfect cookie. 

Step 1. Oven 177 degrees C. 

Step 2. Beat your butter until it's light and fluffy. 

Step 3. Sift in your icing sugar. Sifting is the key to a beautiful shortbread. Add vanilla (sometimes I add cinnamon, too.) 

Step 4. Sift in your flour, cup by cup, stirring with a wooden spoon between each. Knead in some flour until the dough loses its stickiness. 

Step 5. Roll it out to about 3-4mm thickness. Cut. 

Step 6. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes until lightly browned. Don't let them burn. They're a dainty little cookie and if you burn them, they crumble. 

Take them out and let them cool before storing in an airtight container until you're ready to ice. That, squirrels, is the fun part! But we'll tackle that beast tomorrow. 

Until then, 

Happy baking!

xx