Best Aunty Lauras Shortbread Recipes

GREAT-AUNT ANNIE'S TRADITIONAL SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Spray a 9-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. Stir in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, slowly add flour. Mix until well combined.
• Evenly spread cookie dough into prepared tart pan. Refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sprinkle shortbread with sanding sugar. Using a 2-inch round fluted cookie cutter, make a shallow cut in the center of the dough. Using the tines of a fork, score dough from the edge of the circle in the center toward the edge of the pan into 12 equal wedges.
• Transfer tart pan to oven and bake until light brown and a toothpick inserted into the center of the shortbread comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Immediately re-score circle and wedges with cookie cutter and the tines of a fork. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool 1 hour. Remove shortbread from tart pan and let cool completely. Cut into wedges with a serrated knife along the scored lines.

AUNT MARY'S SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Beat the sugar and butter with a spoon until creamy. In three batches, sift and mix the flour into the sugar-butter mixture. Mix well, until fluffy. (my Aunt Mary uses a wooden spoon for mixing, but you can use electric beaters).
• Pat the dough flat onto a greased cookie sheet, covering about 3/4 of the pan (I pat the dough into neatly formed rectangular shape). Puncture the dough at regular intervals with a fork. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Cut into 15 pieces per pan (1 inch wide). Bake 1/2 hour at 300-325°F Let cool.

LAURA SHIRK'S SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Cream butter and sugar together. Add flour and salt, stir until blended. Roll out 1/2 inch thick on floured board and cut into shapes with small (2 inch) cutters.
• Bake for 50 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar.

SCOTCH SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
• Mix flour, butter, and 1/2 cup sugar together in a bowl using your hands until dough is well combined. Press dough into an ungreased 11 1/2x 7 1/2-inch pan or jelly roll pan. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sugar.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are light brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Cut shortbread into squares in the pan while still warm. Cool completely before removing squares from pan.

BUTTERY 3-INGREDIENT SHORTBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in flour. Press dough into an ungreased 9-in. square baking pan. Prick with a fork., Bake until light brown, 30-35 minutes. Cut into squares while warm. Cool completely on a wire rack. If desired, dust with confectioners' sugar.