Pink Shortbread Cookies

My favorite cookies almost all have frosting on them.  It’s my signature when it comes to cookies. These are no exception.

This recipe is a basic short bread recipe.  But the technique for rolling out the dough is a little different from the usual.   I first ran across the idea of using a plastic zipper storage bag  in Dorie Greenspan’s Baking cookbook  and I’ve adapted it for use in several recipes. Makes rolling out a snap and cleanup is even easier.  No extra flour needed. Give it a try!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups flour, all-purpose

Directions:

Combine butter and sugar in large bowl.  Beat on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add vanila and beat until combined.

Comine flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.  Add mixture slowly to the butter mixture, stirring on low speed.  Stop beating as soon as the flour mixture is completely incorporated. Overbeating will result in toughness.

Form the dough into a slightly flattened ball.  Place in to plastic zipper storage bag.  Chill for 30 minutes.

After removing from refrigerator, leave dough in bag that has been opened slightly to allow air to escape.  Begin to roll out dough until it is evenly distributed in flat shape throughout bag.  Place back into refrigerator until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper, silicone mats, or grease generously with cooking spray.

Remove cookie dough from fridge and carefully cut two sides of bag with kitchen shears or scissors leaving one side intact.  Open up and use cookie cutters to cut out cookies. Because the dough is cold and firm, they should peel off the plastic easily. Place on prepared cookie sheet. Reroll scraps after replacing plastic over top of new ball and refrigerate a few minutes until firm again. Repeat as needed until all dough is used.

Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, until light brown around the edges.  Cool the cookies for 10 minutes on the baking sheet.  Remove and cool completely before icing.

POWDERED SUGAR ICING

Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract (optional)
• pink food coloring

Directions:

Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and extract. If too thick, add more milk a drop at a time.  If too thin, add more powdered sugar or let sit for awhile.  Use food coloring to tint the icing. Ice cookies and allow to sit until icing is dry. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap for 1 month in the freezer.

Adapted from The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather