balinsky@cs.UMD.EDU (Andy Balinsky) (10/09/90)
Several recipes for shortbread. The first is the best. The subsequent ones are ovo-lacto. Andy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Shortbread 1 C. butter (*NOT* margarine), sweetened, unsalted 1/2 C. confectioner's sugar (or light brown sugar) 2 C. flour 1/4 t. salt 1/4 t. baking powder Cream the butter and sugar together thoroughly. Sift flour with baking powder and salt and add to butter mixture. Divide dough into four equal balls. Roll each ball out to a 4" or 5" circle (about 1/3" thick). Crimp around the edge and prick with fork in several places. Slice into 6 or 8 pieces (like a pie). Put pieces on a cookie sheet separately and bake 20 to 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until delicately brown. Do not overbake. Cool on wire rack. bTip: The dough handles better if chilled (once the butter softens too much, the dough becomes very sticky). Shortbread Get a big cutting board, and put 1 1/2 cups of flour and 1/3 cup of sugar in a pile. Mix them together with your hands and fingers. Make a well in the middle of the pile. Pour a beaten egg yolk into the well. Add a softened (20 seconds in the nuker) stick of butter and an optional teaspoon of liquer (I used Chambord). Mix together with your hands. Patience, keep at it until everything sticks. Pound the dough onto a cookie sheet and bake. I had the oven at 475 when it went in and turned it down to 200 and pulled it out in 20 minutes and it was fine. I would suggest 300 for 20 minutes. SHORTBREAD COOKIES 1/2 cup butter, at room temp 3/4 cup sugar 1 egg - med. or large 1 Tablespoon milk or cream 1 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (optional -- I use it) Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and milk. Mix the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl. Stir them into the butter mixture. Shape the cookies in ceramic (pottery-looking) cookie molds. Bake at 375 degrees until the edges of the cookies brown. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Andrew Balinsky |They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care UMD, College Park, MD 20742 |They pursued it with forks and hope balinsky@cs.umd.edu |They threatened its life with a railway share (301)405-2724 |They charmed it with smiles and soap - L. Carroll