Serves: 24
Total Calories: 160

2 cups cake flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Up to 1/4 cup baker's or superfine sugar for sprinkling (see note)

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and salt until well blended.
2. In a stand mixer set on medium speed, beat the butter until creamy. Beat in the granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary. On low speed, add the flour mixture in two or three additions until it forms a soft dough. Wrap the dough with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave ungreased.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to a 3/4-inch-thick slab, about 5 by 8 inches. (I use a kitchen ruler to measure and press the edges into shape.) Transfer to the baking sheet and bake until lightly golden and firm to the touch, about 40 minutes. Slip the parchment paper with the shortbread onto a hard surface. Immediately sprinkle the shortbread heavily with the baker’s sugar. While still warm, use the ruler and a paring knife, pointed straight down, to cut the shortbread into 1- or 1 1/2-inch pieces. Let cool completely. The shortbread tastes best at room temperature.
Note: Baker’s sugar is available in supermarket baking sections. For a quick substitute, whirl granulated sugar in a blender until fine, about 20 seconds

From Holiday Baking. Text copyright © 2005 by Sara Perry. Photographs copyright © 2005 by Leigh Beisch. All rights reserved. First published by Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco, California.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 24
Total Calories: 160
Calories from Fat: 67

More Recipes from the Holiday Baking Cookbook:
"Shall I Be Mother?" Teatime Pound Cake
Boxing Day Scones
Buckingham Palace Shortbread
Chip-Shot Pizza with Black Forest Ham, Smoked Gouda, and Apricot Mustard
Jamberry Maple Syrup
La Galette des Rois
Stilton Pinwhels with Walnuts and Honey
Sweet Onion, Apple, and Cheese Tart
The Amazing Leftover Eggnog and Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding