Description
Spring Flower Shortbread is a delightful and visually charming cookie recipe that features buttery, tender shortbread dough shaped into flower patterns with a mix of plain and tinted dough. Perfect for springtime celebrations or as a sweet treat, these cookies are easy to make and bake into a light golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Shortbread Dough Ingredients
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons (86 g) powdered sugar
- 2 1/4 cups (256 g) cake flour
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a creamy base for your shortbread dough.
- Add Cake Flour: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to gather all ingredients, then add the cake flour. Mix on low speed until the dough just comes together, being careful not to overwork it.
- Divide and Tint Dough: Separate the dough into portions if you want to create colored flower petals. Tint these dough portions with food coloring as desired. Then, chill all dough portions in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up for easier shaping.
- Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into scant 1 teaspoon-sized balls. For each flower, place one plain dough ball in the center and arrange six colored dough balls around it to form a flower shape on the baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the arranged dough flowers in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheets. This helps them firm up before transferring to a wire rack or serving.
Notes
- Use cake flour to ensure a tender, delicate texture for the shortbread.
- Be careful not to overmix the dough once the flour is added to prevent tough cookies.
- Chilling the dough helps maintain the shape of the flower cookies during baking.
- Customize the cookie colors with your favorite food coloring gels for vibrant spring flowers.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
