Buttery Crumbly Shortbread Cookies (Printer Version)

Buttery and crumbly shortbread with a delicate texture, perfect paired with tea or a sweet treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Base Dough

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - ½ cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - ¼ cup cornstarch
05 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

# How to Prepare:

01 - Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Sift in the flour, cornstarch, and salt. Mix gently until a soft dough forms, being careful not to overwork.
04 - Press the dough evenly into an 8x8-inch baking pan or form a ½-inch thick rectangle on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Use a sharp knife to score the dough into wedges or fingers, then prick each portion lightly with a fork.
06 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the edges are pale golden, avoiding browning.
07 - Allow cooling in the pan for 5 minutes, then cut along scored lines. Cool completely before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It uses just five ingredients you probably already have, so theres no last minute grocery run.
  • The texture is impossibly tender and crumbly, the kind that makes you reach for another piece without thinking.
  • You can dress it up with citrus zest or chocolate, or keep it classic and let the butter shine through.
02 -
  • Do not overbake these, they should stay pale or they lose that tender texture and turn dry.
  • Letting the dough rest in the pan for a few minutes before cutting is crucial, if you try to move it too soon it will crumble into a mess.
  • Room temperature butter is non negotiable, cold butter wont cream properly and melted butter will ruin the structure.
03 -
  • Use a ruler to score even lines before baking, it makes cutting later so much easier and the pieces look more polished.
  • Prick the dough with a fork not just for decoration but to prevent it from puffing up unevenly in the oven.
  • If your dough feels too soft to handle, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping, it firms up quickly and becomes easier to work with.
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