Description
Delightful whipped shortbread cookies melt effortlessly on hungry palates, creating pure holiday magic. Buttery, light, and impossibly tender, these classic treats invite sweet moments of pure comfort and joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 24 maraschino cherries, well-drained and patted dry
Instructions
- Preparation: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 325F (160C). Cover baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring smooth surface.
- Mixing Foundation: Combine butter and powdered sugar in mixing bowl, whipping with electric mixer until texture becomes airy and pale, approximately 3 minutes. Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts, creating aromatic base.
- Dough Formation: Gently fold flour, cornstarch, and salt into butter mixture. Blend until cohesive dough develops, avoiding overmixing to maintain delicate texture. Dust hands with cornstarch for easier handling.
- Shaping and Decorating: Roll dough into uniform spheres, positioning them evenly across prepared baking sheets. Delicately flatten each cookie using cornstarch-dusted glass bottom. Nestle maraschino cherry into center, pressing softly to secure.
- Baking Process: Transfer sheets to preheated oven, baking for 14-16 minutes until edges appear set but not darkened. Cookies should maintain pale, tender appearance. Remove from oven and allow brief resting period directly on baking sheet.
- Cooling and Serving: After 5 minutes, carefully transfer cookies to wire cooling rack. Let shortbreads reach complete room temperature, enabling them to firm and develop characteristic melt-in-mouth consistency.
Notes
- Ensure butter is softened but not melted, as this impacts the cookie’s texture and structure.
- Use cornstarch generously when handling dough to prevent sticking and create a delicate, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Mix ingredients on low speed to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough and dense.
- Press cherries gently but firmly to ensure they stay embedded during baking without sinking completely.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14-16 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg