The Perfect 3 Ingredient Melt-In-Your-Mouth Shortbread Cookie

Ever since I made this recipe over 5 Christmases ago, it has been so much of a family staple that I use it as one of my best my go-to cookie recipes throughout the year.

Requiring only three basic ingredients and a short prep time, this is one recipe you will want to store in your recipe vault.

These shortbread cookies make the most delicious and thoughtful homemade gifts and will surely be a showstopper at the dessert station of any potluck.

I hope you have as much fun making and eating them as we always do.

Ingredients:

4 ½ cups flour
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 cups salted butter

Directions:

1.Cream the sugar and softened butter in a stand mixer or by hand until very well mixed with pastry like texture.

2. Add the flour in ½ cup increments and knead into a soft dough.

3. Divide the dough into three discs, wrap them tightly in cling wrap and chill for at least 30 minutes. This step makes the dough firm enough to roll and cut into shapes.

4. Position your oven rack in the lower middle section and pre heat oven to 325F. Line baking sheets with silicon mats or parchment paper.

5. Lightly flour a board and roll out one of the discs into ½ inch thickness. Use your cookie cutters to cut your various shapes.

Photo Credit: Rachel Matembe

6. Arrange your cookies 2 inches a part on the baking sheets and place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill for 15 minutes. This step is important to chill the butter and prevent your cookies from spreading too much.

7. Bake chilled cookies for 15-20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. For smaller cookies, bake closer to 15 minutes while larger shapes should be baked longer. Repeat with the remaining dough, working in batches so dough stays chilled.

8. Cool completely on wire rack before serving.

Cookies keep very well when sealed airtight, at room temp. Unbaked dough can be frozen for up to 2 months when wrapped completely airtight. Defrost the dough only when ready to roll, cut and bake.

Garnishing ideas:
*Dip half a cookie in melted chocolate
*Drizzle the top of the cookies with chocolate and then sprinkles
*Marble the top with white and milk chocolate