Shortbread Cookies

Show: Barefoot ContessaEpisode: Impromptu Dinner

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (78)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(78)

Cook Time:
30 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
20 cookies

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: 30 min
Cook: 30 min
Total:: 1 hr 15 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

3/4 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 to 7 ounces very good semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter-and-sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut with a 3 by 1-inch finger-shaped cutter. Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.

When the cookies are cool, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put 3 ounces of the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave on high power for 30 seconds. (Don't trust your microwave timer; time it with your watch.) Stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second increments until the chocolate is just melted. Add the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. Stir vigorously until the chocolate is smooth and slightly cooled; stirring makes it glossier.

Drizzle 1/2 of each cookie with just enough chocolate to coat it.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

White Chocolate-Coconut Cookies

Photo: Shortbread Cookies

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-9 of 9

View all 9 Cookie Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Shortbread Cookies
carolyn san diego, CA 02-03-2010
Flag

just ok
Rated: 2 stars out of 5

I've made lots of shortbread and this one turned out just ok. It didn't bake evenly, giving it a mottled effect. It didn't... have that beautiful, even cream color that shortbread should have. Plus, the granular sugar isn't the proper texture of shortbread. Powdered sugar is so much better. I wouldn't use this recipe again. Read more
recipe Shortbread Cookies
Katia Miami, FL 01-18-2010
Flag

Crumbly to roll, but good cookie texture.
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

The dough was difficult to roll, very crumbly, so I had to use small amounts of dough to be able to handle it. I added the... zest of two oranges and covered one whole side of the cookie with melted chocolate. It came out very good and tasty. Make sure not to brown too much otherwise it chances the texture of the cookie. Read more
recipe Shortbread Cookies
Sharon Asheville, NC 01-16-2010
Flag

Fancy, Crisp & A Great Presentation
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I did add Lemon Zest to the batter. Then I made some with the chocolate dip and changed it up with a Lemon Glaze and Orange... Glaze. Easy and gives a great Citrus Tang. Add Zest to Confectionary Sugar and some of the juice, just enough to made a thick glaze. Dip the end in and dry to harden on a cooling rack. I got rave reviews at a Christmas Party. Thumbs Up Ina!Read more
recipe Shortbread Cookies
Sadaf Philadelphia, PA 01-11-2010
Flag

good basic shortbread
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

this was a nice basic recipe. i served my cookies two ways: dipped in milk chocolate (which was probably too sweet) and... flavored with lemon zest and then topped with a lemon glaze. the lemon glaze was sweet but a good contrast to the basic cookie. i like the recipe, but prefer a more "interesting" dessert.Read more
recipe Shortbread Cookies
cathy edison, NJ 01-03-2010
Flag

Excellent
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I have been making these cookies for a few years as I am "done" with sugar cookies, they never hold their shape and always... get too brown around the edges. This Christmas I made them as part of our annual "Cookie Bake". They were gone in a flash and I had to make a second and third batch. I usually make them in the shape of stars and snowflakes with a sprinkling of crystal white sugar. Perfect. They always hold their shape and have nice crisp edges. The recipe is easy and can be made ahead. My only tip would be to add a drop of water when mixing if the dough is too crumbly (which makes it a bit harder to roll) I never use the chocolate as I feel there is no need since the cookies are perfect without it. I have given this recipe to so many people, they love them. Thanks for a great cookie. Read more
recipe Shortbread Cookies
Audra Snellville, GA 01-01-2010
Flag

Ina does it again!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Ina is my culinary hero! This was my first "cookies from scratch" attempt and it couldn't have been easier. Instead of... dipping the in chocolate, I added dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and white chocolate chips...YUM!!!!!!! Read more