Blighty's British Bourbon Shortbread Recipe

Shortbread is a light, buttery cookie with four essential ingredients: flour, butter, sugar and vanilla. But it can be made in many different ways to create exciting variations of the basic recipe. Many people love chocolate so I created a "bourbon" shortbread variety that is very chocolatey. But if you really love your chocolate try my double-chocolate or triple-chocolate versions. Here is how I made them.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup demerara sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon Cadbury's cocoa powder

Preparation

• Cream the butter using an electric mixer (butter should be at room temperature)
• Whisk in the demerara sugar and keep mixing until all the sugar has thoroughly blended with the creamed butter
• Add the salt, cocoa and vanilla extract and mix thoroughly
• Slowly add the flour and mix thoroughly until the dough is smooth
• Refrigerate for at least fifteen minutes to firm the dough then knead lightly and roll out onto a floured board
• Cut the cookies to the desired shape then bake at 350F on a sheet of parchment for 20 minutes

John's Notes
Security alert: Unless you live alone Blighty's British Bourbon Shortbread Biscuits should be kept under lock and key. They will mysteriously disappear if left unattended in a family household.

Double Chocolate: As if these delectable treats weren't irresistible enough, try dipping them in melted chocolate to create a double chocolate version.

Triple Chocolate: Can you handle this much ecstasy? Spread half the cookies with Cadbury's chocolate spread; place another cookie on top to make a sandwich, then dip the whole thing in melted chocolate.