Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients and Weight:

• Unbleached all-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 grams)
• Unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks, 225 grams)
• Confectioners' sugar: 1/2 cup (60 grams)
• Fine sea salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
• Granulated sugar: for rolling the cookies (optional)

Preparation Time:

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes

Difficulty Level:

Level 3 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Add the flour and salt, and mix until combined.
4. Add the vanilla extract and mix well.
5. Shape the dough into a log or roll it out into a rectangle. If using granulated sugar, roll the dough in sugar to coat.
6. Slice the dough into 1/4-inch thick cookies.
7. Place cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: Approx. 450 calories per 8 cookies (based on using unsalted butter and sugar)
• Fat: Approx. 24 grams
• Carbohydrates: Approx. 40 grams
• Protein: Approx. 3 grams (Note: Nutritional information may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.)

Dish Characteristics:

• These shortbread cookies are crispy and have a rich buttery flavor with a slight vanilla note. They are perfect for enjoying with coffee or tea.
• The cookies are easy to make and can be customized with different flavors or rolled in various toppings (e.g., cinnamon sugar, chocolate chips).

User Comments:

1. "These shortbread cookies are delicious! The texture is perfect, not too hard and not too soft." - John Doe, New York
2. "I love the vanilla flavor in these cookies. They are so tasty and make a great addition to my coffee time." - Jane Smith, California
3. "These cookies are so easy to make, even my kids helped out and we had fun making them together." - Michael Johnson, Texas

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the cookies. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the sea salt in the recipe.
• For best results, use high-quality ingredients like pure vanilla extract and fine-quality sugar.
• Make sure to bake the cookies until they are golden brown but not overbaked to maintain their crispy texture.