Nov 16, 2009
Swedish Shortbread Cookies
In Sweden, these shortbread cookies are traditionally cut into star shapes and garnished with pearl sugar, which can be found at specialty baking stores and online sources.
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Photo: Todd Coleman
INGREDIENTS
16 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature1 cup superfine sugar
2 eggs, separated
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
Pearl sugar, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Combine butter and superfine sugar in a large bowl and beat, using a handheld mixer set to medium speed, until mixture is pale and fluffy, 1–2 minutes. Add egg yolks and vanilla and beat until smooth. Add flour and salt and beat until just combined. Transfer dough to a work surface and shape into a flat disk; wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.2. Heat oven to 350°. Transfer dough to a floured work surface and, using a rolling pin, roll dough to a 1/8" thickness. Using a 2"-wide star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place them 2" apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. In a small bowl, whisk egg whites until frothy. Using a pastry brush, brush egg whites evenly over cookies; sprinkle cookies with pearl sugar. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until just set, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely.
And THANK YOU for the article on Swedish Christmas baking. It's been a while since you featured Scandinavian things.
You should be able to find scandinavian cookie cutters in one of the mall or online kitchen stores. Wilton and Fox Run make all kinds of shapes. Also you may try a scandinavian gift shop, there are several of them on line.
Karin Harvey
DO NOT MAKE THIS or you, your kitchen and the floor will be a crumby mess and you won't have lovely star cookies.
There must be liquid that is missing.