MIDDLE EASTERN BUTTER COOKIES

Middle Eastern Butter Cookies image

Provided by Annacia * @Annacia

Categories Cookies

Number Of Ingredients 5

1/2 pound(s) (2 sticks) butter
1/2 teaspoon(s) vegetable shortening
1/2 cup(s) + 2 tbsp sugar
2 cup(s) sifted flour
- handful of blanched whole or sliced almonds, shelled pistachios, and/or pine nuts, for garnish

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter in a large mixing bowl until it turns white, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and continue to beat for about 5 minutes, until very smooth and creamy. The combination will look a lot like buttercream! Reduce speed of the mixer and slowly work in the flour with a spatula. The dough will be quite soft.
Take walnut-sized pieces and roll them into balls, then flatten slightly. Place them on the baking sheet 3 inches from each other (these spread a bit). Press a nut onto the center of each cookie.
Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, watching carefully: you want the cookies to be firm but completely white...not brown at all. Cool on the sheets for 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely.