Shortbread

We have a gift exchange during our staff Christmas potluck lunch in December. I work at a church, so that’s why it’s not a “holiday” potluck. We exchange real gifts at this gathering, not white elephants (those are saved for the Epiphany party, of course). The gifts are given Secret Santa style. I was the lucky recipient of a beautifully decorative shortbread.

Shortbread

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  60 mins

Total time:  1 hour 15 mins

A rich, short pastry, delicious plain or baked in a decorative mold!

Ingredients

• 1 pound butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 1 cup corn starch
• Pinch of salt (this would be my addition because I think even sweet favors are brightened by a hint of salt)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 (may heat mold during preheat)
2. Melt butter
3. Add sugar
4. Add butter and corn starch, one cup at a time
5. The mixture will be very crumbly
6. Pat into two 8 inch molds (for a thick shortbread) or into one sheet pan (will be thinner)
7. Bake for 40 minutes
8. Reduce heat to 300 and bake 20 minutes longer

Notes

Freezes well!