[FOODIES CORNER] How to make Shortbread Cookies at home

Making shortbread cookies at home is easy and requires just a few ingredients.

🧈 Classic Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 225 g unsalted butter (softened, room temperature)

• 100 g caster sugar (or icing sugar for a finer texture)

• 300 g plain flour

• A pinch of salt (optional)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Method

1. Preheat the oven
   Set your oven to 160°C (fan) or 170°C (conventional). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

2. Cream the butter and sugar
   In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until pale and smooth.

3. Add flavouring
   Mix in the vanilla extract, if using.

4. Add the flour
   Gradually add the flour (and salt, if using), mixing gently until a soft dough forms. Do not overwork the dough.

5. Shape the dough
   Roll the dough out to about 1 cm thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes or press into a tin and score into squares.

6. Chill (optional but recommended)
   Chill the shaped dough for 20–30 minutes to help the cookies hold their shape.

7. Bake
   Bake for 18–25 minutes, or until pale golden at the edges. Shortbread should remain light in colour.

8. Cool and serve
   Leave to cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips

• For extra richness, replace 50 g of flour with cornflour.

• Sprinkle with a little caster sugar immediately after baking.

• Store in an airtight container for up to one week.