Butter Cookie Recipes - Vanilla Shortbread Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups/200 g all-purpose/plain flour

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 2/3 cup/150 g butter, cut up

• 1/3 cup/70 g granulated sugar

• 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract/essence

• Grated zest of 1 lemon

• 1/3 cup/50 g confectioners'/icing sugar

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Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/gas 4. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

3. Mix in the granulated sugar, egg yolk, vanilla, and grated lemon zest to form a smooth dough.

4. Form the dough into 1 1/2 x 1/2-inch (4 x 1-cm) logs and place 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared cookie sheet, flattening them slightly.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until just golden. Transfer to racks to cool. Dust with the confectioners' sugar.