Classic shortbread cookies can be served alongside tea or served as dessert with fresh fruit and cream. The Scottish Shortbread and Spicy Orange Shortbread variations offer new flavor profiles to try for special occasions.
Any of these versions are a breeze to create in the CPM800 stand mixer.
Shortbread Cookies
Ingredients:
2 c (454 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 c (200 g) granulated sugar, divided
4 c (500 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
Instructions:
1. In the mixing bowl of the CPM800 fitted with the beater attachment, beat butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
2. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add 4 cups (500 g) flour, ½ c (63 g) at a time, until well blended. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
3. Divide the dough in half. Dust a cutting board and a rolling pin with flour. Roll each half to ¼-inch (0.6-cm) thickness. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. When ready to bake: Preheat the oven to 325ºF (170ºC) with a rack set in the middle position.
5. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Cut the chilled dough with a 2½-inch (6-centimeter) plain for fluted round cookie cutter.
6. Place the cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet. With a fork, prick each cookie in 3 rows, pressing all the way through the cookies.
7. Bake until the cookies are golden brown, 18-20 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. Move the cookies to a wire rack and let cool completely. Yields 36 cookies.
Variations:
Scottish Shortbread
In step 1, substitute 1¼ c (275 g) firmly packed brown sugar for granulated sugar and add 2 tsp (8 ml) vanilla extract. In step 2, substitute 4 c (508 g) bread flour for all-purpose flour and add ½ tsp (3 g) salt. Continue as directed.
Spicy Orange Ginger Shortbread
In step 1, add 1 T (6 g) grated orange zest to the butter mixture. In step 2, add 2 tsp (4 g) Chinese five-spice powder with the flour. After blending in the flour mixture, use the pulse function to add ½ c (65 g) finely chopped crystallized ginger. Continue as directed.
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