This modern recipe follows the ‘1, 2,
3’ rule of shortbread, that is, one part sugar to two parts butter (unsalted
works best) and three parts flour, with the flour a mixture of fine plain flour
and either rice flour (for texture) or cornflour (for lightness). Here cocoa
powder is added to make up the flour.
As the mixture is rich in cocoa, watch it carefully as it
bakes so that it doesn’t scorch. However, undercooked shortbread doesn’t taste
good either, so reduce the oven temperature if it begins to turn too brown
before it is fully cooked.
You will need
260g plain flour
100g caster sugar
40g cocoa powder
a pinch of sea salt
200g unsalted butter, chilled and diced
extra sugar, for
sprinkling
a 20.5cm loose-based sandwich or round cake tin, well greased
with butter
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4.
To make the shortbread in a food
processor, put the flour, sugar, cocoa and salt into the bowl and pulse for a
few seconds, just to combine the ingredients. Add the butter and run the
machine for about 30 seconds – the mixture will look like fine sand. Turn off
the machine, remove the blade and tip the dough into the prepared tin.
To make the shortbread by hand, put the
flour, sugar, cocoa and salt into a mixing bowl and stir well to thoroughly
combine. Add the butter and rub into the dry ingredients, using the tips of
your fingers. When the mixture looks like fine sandy crumbs, tip it into the
prepared tin. Press the mixture into an even layer, using the back of a spoon.
Prick the dough well and lightly score into 12 sections with a round-bladed
knife.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 25
minutes, until just firm.
Remove from the oven, sprinkle with
sugar, and cut into sections along the marked lines with a very sharp knife.
Leave to cool before removing from the tin.
Store in an airtight container.
LEMON
SHORTBREAD
Follow the recipe above, replacing the cocoa powder with
40g of rice flour or cornflour and adding the finely grated zest of 1 unwaxed lemon.
