Shortbread Heart Cookies

Shortbread Heart Cookies

These shortbread cookies are super simple to make and it may be the best shortbread I have ever made!
Plan Ahead Note: the butter needs to be softened to room temperature.
Course Valentines
Servings 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ lb. (3 sticks) unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, mix together butter and sugar until they are just combined.  Add the vanilla.        
  • In a medium bowl, sift together flour and salt, then add flour to the butter and sugar mixture.
  • Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together.
  • Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk.  Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll the dough ½" thick and cut with a heart shaped cutter.
  • Place the hearts on an ungreased baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar.
  • Bake for 20 minutes at 350° until the edges begin to brown.  Allow to cool.
  • Melt chocolate chips over a double boiler and then dip one side of the cookies into the chocolate.

Notes

Recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.