Shortbread Cookies

This is the shortest of all pastry doughs because it contains no liquid at all, just butter, sugar, flour, and a somewhat generous amount of salt that tastes delicious next to the sugar. If you have some turbinado, a coarse-grained brown sugar, on hand, finish the cookies with it. Its pale brown color, slightly crunchy texture, and mild molasses flavor complement the shortbread dough. The dough is baked uncut, and is then cut into attractive lozenge shapes when it comes out of the oven.