The ultimate and easy Shortbread Cookie

At this time of year, who doesn't like the taste of homemade cookies? How about the smell of cookies baking in the house??? MMMmmmmm!

Well, here is one of my easiest recipes and is so versatile that you can turn them into any type you want!

Classic Shortbread Cookie

2 Sticks butter - Room temperature
2/3 cup Sugar
2 Cups Flour - All Purpose
1 tsp of Salt (1/2 tsp if you use salted butter)
1-2 tsp Vanilla extract, although the scraping of a vanilla pod, would be very good too

In a mixing bowl (or food processor) combine the sugar and butter until creamed/well mixed
Add the vanilla and mix well
Add the salt and flour, mix until the dough starts to pull together. Note-If will not pull together completely into a ball.
Use your hands and in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface form the dough into a round disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 15-30 mins for the butter to cool down.

Remove from the fridge and here is the fun part:

Decide what you want to make-
If classic Shortbread, roll the dough out into a round approx. 1/8-1/4 inch tall and slice in pie slices, you will get 16 large cookies

Another classic is to roll into a rectangle approximately 1/4-1/2 inch thick and slice into 1/2 inch by 2 inch rectangles....these are great for dipping. You will get approx. 16-24 cookies depending on your slices

The last is round or thumbprint cookies, Take the dough and scoop out a rounded teaspoon then roll into a ball with your hands. Place on cookie sheet and press down to 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
If you want to fill the thumbprints, use your thumb to create a small well in the center of each cookie and fill. I have a couple yummy suggestions for filling:

Raspberry - In a bowl combine 2-3 tablespoons of raspberry preserves with 1 tablespoon of Chambord (Raspberry liquor)- Mix well

Chocolate - Take approx 2-3 tablespoons of chocolate chips (I like to mix semisweet with bitter sweet) and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Use spoon to stir, microwave 5 seconds more and stir. Repeat until melted and smooth.

Use approx. 1/4 of teaspoon (I just eye it) and fill the thumbprint wells.

Place the cookies on a baking sheet

Bake in a preheated 350 degree over for 12 mins. The bottom will brown lightly but not the sides or top.
Remove from over and cool completely

Frosting - Make them fancy - I like to place a small drizzle of frosting on top. I use a plastic bag with a very small cut in the corner to act like a piping bag. Its easy

Ingredients - 1/4 cup powder sugar with 2 tsp milk- Mix well

Enjoy!