Jan’s Shortbread
From Yankee Magazine — December 2004
Cookies and Bars Recipes
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 90 minutes
Yield: 48 wedges
My friend Jan Swain makes and shares these melt-in-your-mouth cookies every Christmas. They’re the best gift I can imagine.
- 2 cups (4 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 4 cups unbleached white flour
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
In a mixer on low speed, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add flour and vanilla extract and mix just until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a floured surface and divide into three equal balls. Flatten balls and shape into flattened disks, about 7 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
Prick the disks all over with a fork; place on oiled baking sheets, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375°. Bake 5 minutes, then reduce heat to 300° and bake, rotating sheets occasionally, until slightly firm to the touch and barely golden at the edges, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven and cool slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. With a large sharp knife, cut each disk in half and then into 16 thin diagonal wedges (handle gently; they crumble easily). Dust with additional confectioners’ sugar. Cookies will keep fresh up to 2 weeks in an airtight container, and will also freeze well.
Garnish
- confectioners’ sugar
Comments
Allow chilling time.
Reviews by Readers
I bake many types of cookies for the holidays and this recipe is a favorite everywhere I take them. It's easy and tastes wonderful with a cup of hot tea. – Reviewed by Elizabeth Paruszkiewicz
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