Pecan Shortbread

Next to Sugar Cookies, I also love Shortbread cookies especially the ones that melt in your mouth.  I wanted to give this recipe I saw on The Slow Roasted Italian a try.  It's an Ina Garten recipe.  As with the Sugar Cookies, I did only half a recipe.  The cookies turned out really well.  The only thing I would do different is try and bake it a couple of minutes less for a bit of a softer texture.  Another recipe definitely worth doing again!

Pecan Shortbread Cookies

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature 

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cups pecans, chopped in small pieces

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2) In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts.

3) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter/sugar mixture.

4) Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. If it is too crumbly a tablespoon of water at a time until it comes together.  If it is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it is the perfect consistency. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

5) Roll the dough ¼ - ½-inch thick and cut into 2 1/2-inch squares with a plain or fluted cutter (or cut into any shape you like). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.  If you are new at rolling out dough get some training wheels (as I like to call them).  I went to the craft store and bought dowel rods in 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" size.  Cut them in half and you have a perfect frame.  I learned to judge the perfect thickness by setting them on both sides of my dough rolling pin width apart and rolling my cookies out.

6) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.