Focus on Fostering: A Recipe for family fun

Ok.  I know that diet season is upon us.  BUT... this is the time of year when you can make something semi-evil and tell yourself it is okay because you will only eat one piece and give the rest away.  Right.
Anyway... I found this amazing recipe for amazingly delicious shortbread and it is toooo easy.  People will think you slaved over it but it is a breeze. This is awesome to make with kids!.. They can wash their hands and then squish the dough by hand to mix it and then pat it into the pan by hand.  Consider it a post-holiday, vacation boredom buster present to all of you?

Scottish Shortbread:
1 1/2 cup flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt.
1 cup softened butter

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.  Cut in the butter and when well cut in, knead with hands to make final dough mixture.  Press firmly into an 8 inch square pan [or pie plate or shortbread mold].  Bake for 1 hour.  Shortbread should be pale in color , not browned.  Cut while still warm! [Otherwise it is so flaky it tends to split and break.]

Note: The "official" way to make these is to bake them in a pie pan and cut them into pie-shaped wedges OR to bake them in special shortbread pans.  I am too lazy so I just make them in a square or rectangular pan and cut into squares. If I am going to dip them in chocolate I just cut them in longer thinner strips rather than just squares.  [Usually in too much of a hurry to roll them out and cut.]

P.S. If you want them a little less sinful... Chill the dough in the frig and then roll it out and cut out little shapes [simple rounds about 1 inch or small hearts] and bake on a cookie sheet.... [Takes less baking time, so watch carefully.]

Evil?   A friend of mine makes shortbread even more sinful by putting little dabs of confectioner's sugar frosting on top! I sometimes dip them in chocolate for fancier gifts.


Image credits: mytidykitchen.com, mumbai-masala.com