Shortbread

Makes: approx. 12 fingers (as pictured here).

Ingredients

125g butter
55g caster sugar
180g plain flour
1-3 tsp icing sugar (optional)

Method

1. Beat the butter and the sugar together until smooth.

2. Stir in the flour to get a smooth paste. Turn on to a work surface and gently roll out until the paste is 1cm thick. Work the dough as little as possible.

3. Cut into fingers (or whatever shapes you like) and place onto a baking tray. Sprinkle with icing sugar and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes. (Alternatively: form the dough into a fat sausage and wrap in cling film until needed.)

4. While the dough is resting in the fridge preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.

5. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Set aside to cool on a wire rack.

(by BBC Food Recipes)