Shortbread

I'm sure many of you grew up munching on these delicious butter cookies that we all know as 'butter cookies in the blue tin' simply because Kjeldsens Danish butter cookies sounds too complicated.

Now you can make your very own butter cookies or shortbread right at home.

Recipe adapted from Super Food Ideas.

Ingredients: (Makes 8 slices)

• 125g butter, softened
• 1/2 cup pure icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/8 cups plain flour
• 1/8 cup cornflour

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 160°C. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, icing sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy.
2. Sift flour and cornflour over butter mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough until smooth. Do not overwork your dough as it will result it a tough instead of crumbly texture.
3. Wrap dough in a cling wrap and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
4. Remove dough from fridge and press onto a 9" fluted tart pan. Use the a flat surface of a glass to press and flatten the dough evenly.
5. Score 8 triangles in each shortbread round (do not cut through dough).
6. Alternatively, brush the shortbread with eggwhite and sprinkle with sugar.
   
7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until shortbread is light golden and firm to the touch.
   
8. Use a sharp knife to cut through markings and allow to cool down.

Best enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee. ;)