Classic Oven-Baked Vanilla Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:
Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C). Ensure the rack is placed in the middle of the oven for even baking.

2. Prepare the Dough:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened butter and powdered sugar. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the ingredients together until light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.

3. Add Flavors:
Mix in the vanilla extract and salt until fully incorporated into the butter mixture.

4. Incorporate Flour:
Gradually add the flour, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Continue until the dough comes together and is smooth.

5. Shape the Cookies:
Lightly flour a clean countertop. Roll the dough to 1/2-inch thickness using a rolling pin. Use a cookie cutter to cut out your desired shapes. Reroll scraps and continue cutting until all dough is used.

6. Prepare for Baking:
Place the cut-out cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet, leaving about 1 inch of space between them.

7. Bake:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges just begin to lightly brown. Be careful not to overbake as the cookies should remain pale.

8. Cool Down:
Remove cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparation Time

PT15M
15 minutes

Cooking Time

PT20M
20 minutes

Total Time

PT35M
35 minutes

Type of Dish

Dessert

Keywords

shortbread, cookies, vanilla, baking, dessert, holiday treat, buttery, sweet, oven recipes, classic cookies

Recipe Yield

Serves 4 adults

Calories

Total: 1520 calories for the entire batch

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