Delightful Traditional Scottish Shortbread

Shortbread is a classic Scottish biscuit known for its simplicity and buttery flavor. This delightful treat has a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes it perfect for tea time or as a sweet snack any time of the day. Here’s a straightforward recipe to bring this traditional taste into your home.

Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
– 1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter)
– Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.

3. Cream the butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter until it is light and fluffy. If you are adding any optional extracts, mix them in at this stage.

4. Mix the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter, mixing until the dough comes together. It will be crumbly at first, but it should form a smooth dough as you mix.

5. Shape the dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, press the dough into a square or rectangular shape, about 1/2 inch thick. You can also roll out the dough using a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness.

6. Cut the biscuits: Use a knife or a cookie cutter to cut the dough into desired shapes. Traditional shortbread is often cut into rectangles or wedges, but you can use any shape you prefer.

7. Prepare for baking: Place the cut dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Use a fork to prick a few holes in each piece of dough to prevent bubbling during baking.

8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Be careful not to overbake, as shortbread should remain pale.

9. Cool: Allow the shortbread to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Serve and enjoy: Once cooled, your delightful traditional Scottish shortbread is ready to be enjoyed. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

This simple yet exquisite shortbread recipe brings a touch of Scottish tradition to your teatime, offering a buttery and crumbly delight that is universally loved.