Shortbread Cookies

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Shortbread Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
  • Extra granulated sugar for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:

  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until creamy and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add Vanilla Extract:

  • Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.

4. Mix in Cocoa Powder:

  • Gradually add the cocoa powder to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated.

5. Add Flour and Salt:

  • Gradually add the flour and salt to the cocoa-butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix; the dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed.

6. Fold in Chocolate Chips:

  • Gently fold in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.

7. Shape the Cookies:

  • Gather the dough into a ball and flatten it into a disk.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
  • Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, or simply slice the dough into squares or rectangles.

8. Place on Baking Sheets:

  • Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

9. Optionally, Sprinkle with Sugar:

  • If desired, sprinkle the tops of the cookies with a little granulated sugar for added sweetness and crunch.

10. Chill (optional):

  • Place the baking sheets with the cookies in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies hold their shape better during baking.

11. Bake the Cookies:

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
  • The cookies will be soft when they come out of the oven but will firm up as they cool.

12. Cool and Serve:

  • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

13. Enjoy:

  • Serve these delightful Shortbread Chocolate Cookies with a glass of milk or your favorite hot beverage. They are perfect for chocolate lovers and make a delicious treat any time of day!

These Shortbread Chocolate Cookies combine the rich flavor of cocoa with the buttery goodness of shortbread, creating a heavenly treat that’s sure to please everyone. Enjoy!