Shortbread Cookies

If you want to make the dough by hand instead of with a stand mixer, work the ingredients with a wooden spoon in the order—and to the same consistency—shown here. Short-bread dough is similar to extra buttery sweet pastry dough but contains no liquid. These cookies are quite salty—a delicious juxtaposition with their sweetness—but if you don’t want the salt, cut it in half.