Description
These classic French Shortbread Cookies, known for their delicate buttery texture and melt-in-your-mouth crumb, are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients. Perfectly crisp and lightly sweetened, they are a delightful treat to enjoy with tea or coffee. The recipe involves creaming butter and sugar, mixing in egg white and flour, chilling the dough, and baking to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Shortbread Dough
- 6 tablespoons salted butter (softened)
- 1/3 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 egg white
- ¾ cup + 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Soften Butter: Place softened butter and sugar in a bowl. If short on time, soften butter by microwaving it for a few seconds, ensuring it is soft but not melted.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Mix the sugar and softened butter using a wooden spoon or spatula until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency. This can be done by hand or with an electric mixer for convenience.
- Add Egg White: Stir in the egg white to the creamed mixture. A small amount of yolk is acceptable and will not affect the dough significantly.
- Incorporate Flour: Gradually add the all-purpose flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, stirring with a dough whisk or spatula until fully combined into a dough.
- Form Dough Ball: Transfer the dough onto a pastry board or parchment paper and shape it into a ball.
- Chill Dough: Flatten the dough ball into a disc shape, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for approximately one hour to firm up.
- Roll Out Dough: After chilling, roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin.
- Cut Cookies: Cut the dough into desired shapes using cookie cutters, such as a #55 Matfer cutter, or a knife for rectangular or wedge shapes.
- Prepare for Baking: Use a thin spatula to gently transfer the cut cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Chill the cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes until they turn light brown around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving to enjoy their full flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use softened butter for easier creaming; avoid melted butter to retain dough consistency.
- Chilling the dough is crucial to prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Egg white helps bind the dough without adding extra fat.
- Cookie cutters add decorative shapes, but any shape works if cut with a knife.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
