Sweet and Savory Recipes For Shortbread Cookies

Over a thoroughly enjoyable bite of blackberry fool , I couldn't help but dream about a crumbly, larden shortbread round to dust off with it. So tonight, while I've still got some blackberry dessert in the icebox, I think I'm going to bake up a batch of shortbread coins to go along with. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. With a hand mixer or a standing mixer fitted with a paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium speed, scraping down the bowl occasionally with a rubber spatula, until light and silky, about 6 minutes. With a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour. Scrape dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide into 4 pieces.

Using the palm of your hand, pat one portion of dough until it is flattened to a ¼" thickness. With a rolling pin, roll once lightly over the dough to smooth the top; then, using a long spatula, loosen it from the work surface.

Using a fluted 2 1/2" round cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place them about 1" apart on the lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough, pressing and rerolling the scraps until all the dough is used up. Using a fork, pierce each cookie 2 or 3 times. Bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until golden, about 20 minutes. Let shortbreads cool completely on pans set on a baking rack, then store in tins layered with wax paper. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix flour, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper in processor. Add butter and, using on/off turns, process until dough begins to come together. Gather dough into ball. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 12-inch log, and cut each log into 1-inch pieces. Roll each piece into ball. Arrange dough balls on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 1/2 inches apart. Press each ball into 2-inch-diameter round. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese over.

Bake shortbread rounds until tops are dry and bottoms are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer shortbread rounds to rack and cool completely. DO AHEAD: Shortbread rounds can be made 1 week ahead. Store rounds in airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 1 month.