Vanilla Shortbread Biscuits

Ingredients:

225g /8oz/ 2 cups plain all purpose flour

150g /5.5oz/ 2/3rds cup soft unsalted butter

125g /4.5 oz / half cup caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method

Preheat oven to 180c /350F/ Gas mark 4

• Sift flour, then place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, mix on medium until resembles bread crumbs.
• Use hands to bring together in to a firm dough. If dough seem too crumbly, add a little butter and knead until a soft dough is formed.

OR

• Sieve (strain) flour into a large mixing bowl, rub in the butter with your fingers until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.
• Stir in caster sugar and vanilla extract, bring mixture together with your hands to make a firm dough.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to the thickness of about 1 inch (however I usually make it a bit thinner, I get more biscuits and they are crunchier).

Use desired biscuit cutters to cut out shapes. Then arrange them on to a baking tray. Bake until golden in colour.

Transfer baked biscuits onto cooling rack, dust with caster sugar if desired.

ENJOY