Shortbread Cookies

'Tis the season to bake and cook marvelous treats and decadent goodies and scrumptious meals for our families and friends.  One of my very favourite things is shortbread cookies.  I like to eat them while drinking scotch.  Or Coffee.  Or Tea.  Or really, with nothing to drink at all!  :)

1 c. cornstarch
3/4 c. icing sugar
1 1/4 c. flour
1 c. unsalted butter

There are 2 options to mix this.

1.a. Cream the above ingredients by hand.  (I'm way too lazy to do this, although I had to last year.)
1.b. Whip the butter in a mixer until fluffy.  Stir in combined dry ingredients, then beat on high for 3 - 4 minutes.

(Regardless of which method of combining you use, the mixture will be crumbly.)

2. Scoop a teaspoon of dough, and squish/roll into balls (with warm hands, but don't overwork it), and press flat on an ungreased cookie sheet with a sugared glass bottom.  Add cherries or wlanut pieces or something else on top, if desired.  (I like to sprinkle coloured sugar.)

Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned on the bottom.  Let cool before removing from pan.

I've received some interesting tips from people over the years about making shortbread:

* If the butter is too warm, it will make tough shortbread.
* Use a wooden spoon to beat the mixture.  (I avoid all plastic, and use stainless steel bowls and spoons.)
* Cold butter results in fluffier shortbread.
* If the mixture is too crumbly to work with, refrigerate it for a few hours.  The flavour will improve during this time, and the water will absorb properly into the flour.  (Don't quite understand the 'why' of this, and am trying it out today.  Will post back to let you know how this is, although the first sheet of cookies from the crumbly batter turned out just fine, mmmm!
* One can add flavoured extracts to the batter, like almond or vanilla.  One can also add citrus zest.  (I am trying this next, with lemon and lime...) Really, I think the options are endless for flavour!

Do let me know, in the comments, what tips you have for making shortbread!  And how this turned out for you!  :)