Indulge in these delightful homemade almond shortbread cookies that melt in your mouth. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, flour, and almond extract, these cookies have a buttery, crumbly texture with a hint of almond flavor. Perfect for tea time or as a sweet treat, these cookies are easy to make and will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Extra ground almonds for sprinkling (optional)
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the almond extract and mix well.
- Gradually add the flour, ground almonds, and salt to the butter mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap the logs tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the dough logs from the refrigerator and unwrap them. Slice the logs into 1/4 inch thick rounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Optional: Sprinkle the cookies with extra ground almonds for added texture and flavor.
- Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Interesting Facts
Shortbread cookies have Scottish origins and were traditionally made with only three ingredients: butter, sugar, and flour.
Almond extract adds a delightful nutty flavor to the classic shortbread recipe.
Ground almonds give these cookies a slightly crunchy texture and enhance the almond flavor.