Instructions: Preheat oven to 325F. Measure butter into a medium-size mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon, beat sugar and salt into butter until well blended. Beat flour into butter mixture in 2 batches. Pat dough into an ungreased 8-square-inch baking pan. Press edges down evenly. Using a fork, pierce dough ever inch or so. Bake until edges are golden, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan set on a rack for a couple of minutes. Cool in pan set on a rack for a couple of minutes, then cut into squares or bars. Gently transfer cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Makes 15 bars.

Shortbread Stir-Ins
After all the flour has been added, stir in: -1/2 cup white or dark chocolate chips
100-g package coarsely chopped hazelnuts or almonds, or 1 cup shelled pistachios -1/2 cup toasted flaked coconut
Finely grated peel of 1 lemon or of 1 orange

M/C

NOTES : Our easy shortbread cookies take just 10 minutes to prepare.

These cookies are TNT. My husband loves them and I make them every Christmas. Keep an close eye on them while they are cooking. Ive never tried the shortbread stir-ins. I always make them plain. Enjoy! Diane

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