Shortbread Cookies

Whenever I sense that my husband is having a hard day - I make these. They are perfection!

2 C flour

1 1/4 t course salt

1 C unsalted butter, room temp.

1 t vanilla extract

3/4 C conf. sugar

1. mix flour & salt, set aside

2. Beat butter in mixer for 2 min. Add vanilla. Beat for 3 more min. Add sugar. Beat another 2 min. Add flour & mix only until it all comes together.

3. Butter pan(s). I use mini tart pans or one large tart pan. You can use anything really. Using plastic wrap, press dough into pan of choice. Cover w/ plastic wrap & chill for 20 min.

4. Remove & using what ever you can find, cut a little circle in the middle. This will prevent those easy to chip points as well as assist w/ even cooking. For the mini tart pans, I use frosting tips. Cut into the serving shape of choice & poke all over w/ toothpick. This is an excellent thing to have little hand help w/ if you have them. The last secret is to sprinkle them w/ course salt just before baking.

5. Bake in top 1/3 of oven for 45 or 1 hour. The mini tarts take about 45 min. The large tart pan takes 1 hour. Remove & re-cut your serving pieces. Let cool completely.

That is it. You can then, dip them in chocolate if you want. This recipe also is easy to customize. I've added 1/2 C mini chocolate chips, 1/2 C chopped cranberries, etc. My husbands favorite is plain or chocolate dipped. Enjoy!!