Shortbread Dough

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 35 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces unsalted butter, cut into small cubes and chilled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Recipe

• 1 position oven racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees f.
• 2 line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• 3 in a food processor, grind the walnuts with 1 tablespoon sugar; transfer to a bowl.
• 4 add remaining sugar to food processor and process until superfine, about 1 minute.
• 5 add flour, salt, and ground walnuts; pulse to combine.
• 6 mix in butter and vanilla until dough is crumbly.
• 7 remove dough and form into 2 disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate 10 minutes.
• 8 place a dough disk on prepared cookie sheet and form into an 8 inch circle with hands.
• 9 cut into wedges, but do not separate.
• 10 bake until edges are browned, about 35 minutes, turning pan half way through cooking.
• 11 separate wedges slightly and let cool.
• 12 dough can be formed into other shapes or squares if desired.