Shortbread Cookies for Tartan Day

Tartan Day is April 6th. Officially it is the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320 AD which is the Scottish declaration of Independence. People of Scottish decent celebrate this day by wearing the family tartan and attending various festivities. Out local Scottish Society has a celebration. There’s music and the official reading of the declaration, wearing of the tartan, perhaps some poetry and…. the shortbread competition.

My  go to Scottish Shortbread is in my 11th edition Fannie Farmer cookbook:
Set oven to 350
Cream 1 cup butter
Add gradually 1/2c brown sugar (Fannie also gives the option of confectionary sugar in the same amount. This creates a different texture in the end and I prefer the brown sugar)
Sift together 2c flour, 1/4 tsp salt & 1/4 tsp baking powder.
Add to the wet mixture and mix well until you get a smooth workable dough. If the dough is too soft to roll out, wrap it in plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge for a little bit to firm up the butter in the dough.

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4” thick then cut into the traditional diamond shapes or use cookie cutters to get your shape of choice. Prick with a fork. This keeps the cookie from rising too much. Bake for 15 minutes or so until the edges are just browned. Fannie says 20-25 minutes, I find that way to long and the cookies are overbaked but perhaps that is just my oven. Start checking on them at 12 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

Enjoy with your favorite tea, coffee or a wee dram of something stronger.