Shortbread

Photography by Tamara West
Celia Hay
By
Celia Hay

Qualified professional chef, wine expert, educator, restaurateur and book publisher.

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This classic shortbread recipe is based on one from the Edmond's Cookbook and is a great to get the kids started on. Most shortbread recipes use caster sugar but I find that beginner cooks have greater success using icing sugar which is quick to cream.

Ingredients

225 gButter, cut into cubes
225 gFlour (Main)
125 gCornflour
125 gIcing sugar

Directions

  1. Place the butter in a bowl to come to room temperature.
  2. Heat the oven to 150C and line a baking sheet with baking paper.
  3. Sift the flour and cornflour into one bowl.
  4. Sift the icing sugar into the butter and cream it (beat with a fork or wooden spoon until pale and creamy).
  5. Add the flour and cornflour. Mix well with a wooden spoon or knead with your hands.
  6. Option 1:With a spoon, scoop out a walnut sized piece of shortbread, roll into a ball and press onto the baking sheet. With a fork press the middle of the dough to flatten out.Option 2:Roll shortbread onto a flat surface. Using a cookie cutter, cut out the shapes and place on the baking sheet. You can use novelty cookie cutters like stars and animals.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly golden.