Tea Time Treats

 

It's raining and windy and not a day for my much loved hike in the park so I decided to bake, my other passion.  Unlike hiking which helps me burn calories, baking can be detrimental to my health.  My excuse today was to bake some shortbread cookies to give as a hostess gift to our best friends who have invited us for a socially distanced Thanksgiving next week.

These cookies are a breeze to make. I baked two types-regular butter shortbread and a brown sugar shortbread, Quality assurance is so important so I taste tested both of them. My preference is the brown sugar version. Both go perfect with a nice cup of black tea. If you are looking for a quick cookie for yourself or to give as a gift, these might fit the bill.  They freeze and pack up very well.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

Butter Shortbread Cookies  (makes approximately 24 3 inch cookies)

1 stick softened butter

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.Cream together butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Slowly mix in flour and baking powder. Mix until a soft dough is formed. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for approximately 30 minutes. Roll out dough on lightly floured board to approximately 1/16th of an inch.  Cut out cookies with 3 inch cookie cutter. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until pale brown. Let cool on rack.

Brown Sugar Shortbread Cookies (makes approximately 30 3 inch cookies)

1 stick softened butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.Cream together butter, brown sugar, and vanilla. Slowly mix in flour and baking powder. Mix until a soft dough is formed. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for approximately 30 minutes. Roll out dough on lightly floured board to approximately 1/16th of an inch.  Cut out cookies with 3 inch cookie cutter. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until pale brown. Let cool on rack.