Shortbread

Name: Shortbread
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: about 20 fingers or six small rounds, 14cm in diameter.
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 600g plain flour; 125g ground rice; 250g caster sugar; 500g butter, cut into 2cm dice and chilled for an hour

Stephanie Alexander

October 19, 2011

Time:< 30 minsMakes:about 20 fingers or six small rounds, 14cm in diameter.

I think shortbread has to be at least 1.5cm thick, better still 2cm, to yield a truly satisfying bite. I like the decorative rounds marked into portions and I own at least two antique shortbread moulds that are used to press fancy designs on the finished round, but my favourite is chunky shortbread fingers pricked with the tines of a fork.

Ingredients

600g plain flour
125g ground rice
250g caster sugar
500g butter, cut into 2cm dice and chilled for an hour

Method

Mix the dry ingredients together in an electric mixer or give a quick pulse in a food processor. Add the butter and mix on low speed in an electric mixer, or use the pulse button in a food processor until the dough just comes together.
Tip on to the workbench, knead lightly and press into a round. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes. Roll out to 1.5cm or 2cm thickness and cut to desired shape.
Chill again for at least an hour, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 160C.
Arrange shapes well apart on a paper-lined baking tray and bake until golden, about 12 minutes.

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