Grandma's Shortbread Cookies

Kayla in Montreal's Note:

This is a recipe for an amazingly dense and rich yet delicate cookie. You can't eat just one. When I make them, they're gone in a sitting and guests, family members and friends love and look forward to these. I can easily eat 10 in a row. The delicate nature is due to the cornstarch which most recipes I've come across do not include. They taste great with coffee and hot cocoa. This recipe comes from the back of an old box of Benson's Cornstarch. I kept the empty box for years in the hopes of making them one day. I always double the recipe to make about 50 small cookies.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 25 small c ...

• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup icing sugar (confectioner's sugar, in Canada it's 'icing')
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsalted butter , softened (= 1 1/2 sticks, no margarine or substitute)

Directions:

1. Sift together corn starch, icing sugar and flour.
2. With wooden spoon (or by hand as I do it), blend in butter until soft, smooth dough forms.
3. Shape into 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls.
4. Place 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, flatten with lightly floured fork.
5. Alternatively, roll dough to 1/4 inch (6 mm); cut into shapes with cookie cutters.
6. Decorate with candied cherries, colored sprinkles or nuts if desired.
7. Bake in 300 Fahrenheit oven for 15-20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
8. Cool on wire rack.
9. Tips:.
10. Do not substitute anything for the butter otherwise it's not a genuine shortbread cookie. ETA: Sadielady reminded that I forgot to mention the type of butter. Please forgive the D'oh moment. Please use unsalted butter. I never ever add salt. Any added salt in baked goods is not pleasing to my palate and too much salt is unhealthy but you may want to add a bit.
11. You can "nuke" aka microwave the butter to soften it rather than letting it sit out. It saves time and won't alter the taste. Just make sure you don't melt it.
12. If dough is too soft to handle then cover and chill for 30-60 minutes (15 minutes worked for me).
13. To make Crescents:.
14. Add 1/2 cup (125 ml) ground almonds or hazelnuts to flour mixture.
15. Shape into logs about 1/2 inch (1 cm) thick and 3 inches (7 cm) long.
16. Twist into crescent shapes.
17. When baked and cool, dip ends in melted chocolate.

Reviews

[Chef #1531249]

These are very easy and delicious. I added a dash of salt, and drizzled the finished cookies with melted chocolate.

[Colleen M.]

I had gotten this recipe off the cornstarch box years ago but since I've moved a few times since I couldn't find it. It is by far the best shortbread I've ever used. I used my mixer and beat it, the just spoon it onto the cookie tray and smooth is out a little with a fork. It give more of a whipped shortbread texture. I also use it as the base for my my cheesecake, which people love and is a nice change from the usual graham crumb base.

[Chef #1450612]

This year, in an attempt to personalize our gifts AND hopefully save a buck or two, we researched cookie recipes. This has to be one of the best little cookies it is possible to bake. I am putting together a cookbook for my daughter, recently married and a college student. Recipes must be easy for a novice AND delicious. This recipe is definitely in.Thank you, Kayla.