Pressed Shortbread Cookies

By David TisueBaking, Brunch, Cookies, Snacks
pressed shoortbread cookies

Pressed shortbread cookies, simple, plain, and delicious in all the right ways.

shortbread

These cookies are a great way to use a patterned rolling pin or that cookie press that you have had sitting around in your drawer. I have been on an espresso kick lately, and even though I have been trying to stay away from sweets with my coffee, I crave something to nibble along with my delicious tiny cup of goodness. Pressed Shortbread cookies are a perfect thing to have, as it is not very sweet, and the buttery and melt-in-your-mouth texture goes so well with a great little cup of espresso. Sometimes the best thing in the world is a plain cookie that you can savor its simplicity. Shortbread is easy to make, as it is only 3 or 4 ingredients, and the dough isn’t hard to put together. However, I wanted to make them a little more fun than just simple rounds.

espresso maker with cookies

I have these fantastic, patterned rolling pins rolling around in one of my drawers asking to be used. Usually, the dough would be rolled out and then gone over with the patterned rolling pin. But I’ didn’t want to fuss with rerolling the extra. I wanted this cookie to be simple to make without all the extra steps. So, I decided to try and roll over little balls of dough instead. This worked out great! With little effort, I had these wonderfully textured cookies to enjoy with my little shot of espresso. They melt in your mouth in all the right ways with just a little sweetness.

pressed shortbread cookies

If you don’t have one of these patterned rolling pins, you can find them on amazon or use a cookie stamp that most of us have been given or found over the years. But the wooden patterned rolling pins are beautiful and worth having around to make something fancy. This espresso cup is one of my favorite things ever! It is from Tassen and it is my favorite way to serve a little cup of joy.

patterned rolling pins
Patterned rolling pins

The world is still struggling to find its footing again. But, there is a big bright light at the end of this long tunnel. We all just need to think of others in our choices and know we are all in this together. So, be kind to our fellow humans. OK, that’s all for this week. Till next time!

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Pressed Shortbread Cookies
Easy, simple plain cookies that are perfect for morning coffee or espresso. If you have a texture rolling pin, this is a great way to use them.
Ingredients
  • 2 sticks butter softened 1 cup salted, or unsalted at room temperature
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt if using unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla optional
Instructions
  1. In a food processor, combine the butter, powdered sugar, the flour, and the vanilla, if using. Process until the mixture looks like sand. Do not overprocess.
  2. Dump the mixture onto a clean work surface and gather it into a ball. It should come together into a smooth dough.
  3. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let chill in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
  4. Pull the dough out and let it warm up to soften the dough slightly.
  5. Divide the dough into 24 equal portions, about 1 ½ inch or golf ball-sized.
  6. Let the dough warm up to be pliable.
  7. Preheat the oven to 375°
  8. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper
  9. Roll each dough ball into a smooth round ball then into a disk about 1/3 of an inch thick.
  10. Press or roll the disk with an impression from a textured rolling pin or cookie stamp.
  11. Using a metal spatula, move each pressed cookie to the cookie sheet.
  12. Place the cookie sheets in the fridge for 10 minutes.
  13. Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are barely starting to golden.
  14. Remove the cookies from the oven and cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheets before placing them on a rack to cool completely.

pressed shortbread cookies