Classic Scottish Shortbread Frugal Hausfrau from frugalhausfrau.com
Introduction
Shortbread is a classic Scottish dessert that is known for its crumbly texture and buttery taste. It's a simple recipe that only requires a few ingredients, making it perfect for beginners. In this article, we'll be sharing a basic shortbread recipe that you can easily replicate at home.
Ingredients
To make this basic shortbread recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
1 cup of unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let's dive into the instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in the flour and salt, and mix until the dough comes together.
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth.
Roll the dough out into a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) thick circle.
Cut the dough into shapes using cookie cutters or a knife.
Place the shortbread on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Remove the shortbread from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
Transfer the shortbread to a wire rack and let it cool completely.
Nutrition
Shortbread is not the healthiest dessert out there, but it's okay to indulge once in a while. Here's the nutrition information for this basic shortbread recipe:
Calories: 160
Total Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 27mg
Sodium: 28mg
Total Carbohydrates: 16g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 1g
Tips and Variations
Now that you know how to make basic shortbread, here are some tips and variations to help you customize your recipe:
Tip 1: Chill the Dough
Chilling the dough before rolling it out can help prevent it from sticking to your surface or breaking apart. You can chill the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before rolling it out.
Tip 2: Use Different Flours
You can experiment with different flours to create different textures and flavors. For example, you can use almond flour for a nutty taste or rice flour for a lighter texture.
Tip 3: Add Flavors
You can add different flavors to your basic shortbread recipe by incorporating ingredients like vanilla extract, lemon zest, or cocoa powder.
Variation 1: Chocolate Shortbread
To make chocolate shortbread, simply add 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to your dry ingredients. You can also add chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
Variation 2: Jam-Filled Shortbread
To make jam-filled shortbread, cut out your dough with a cookie cutter and then cut a smaller shape in the center of half of the cookies. Bake the cookies as usual, and then spread some jam on the solid cookies. Place the cut-out cookies on top of the jam-covered ones to create a sandwich.
Variation 3: Shortbread Bars
To make shortbread bars, press your dough into a square baking dish and bake as usual. Once the shortbread has cooled, you can cut it into bars and serve.
Conclusion
Shortbread is a classic dessert that is easy to make and customize. With this basic shortbread recipe, you can create a simple and delicious treat that everyone will love. So go ahead and give it a try!
Butter Cake (sponge cake) RecipeTin Eats from www.recipetineats.com
Introduction
Sponge cake is a light, airy, and fluffy cake that is perfect for any occasion. It is a classic cake that can be enjoyed with tea or coffee or as a dessert after dinner. The sponge cake is a versatile cake that can be customized in many ways, such as adding fruit, chocolate, or cream.
Ingredient
Here are the ingredients needed to make a basic sponge cake recipe:
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
Eggs
Eggs are the essential ingredient for making sponge cake. Make sure the eggs are at room temperature before using them. Room temperature eggs will whip up better and create a lighter and fluffier cake.
Sugar
Sugar gives sweetness to the cake and helps to create a light and airy texture. Use granulated sugar for this recipe.
Flour
All-purpose flour is used for this recipe. Make sure to sift the flour before using it to create a smooth and airy cake.
Baking Powder
Baking powder is used as a leavening agent to help the cake rise and become fluffy.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract adds flavor to the cake. Make sure to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Salt
Salt is used to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavor of the cake.
Instructions
Here are the steps to make a basic sponge cake:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and grease a 9-inch cake pan.
In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Add the vanilla extract and salt and mix until well combined.
Sift the flour and baking powder into the egg mixture and gently fold until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
Remove the cake from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Nutrition
Here is the nutrition information for a basic sponge cake recipe:
Serving size: 1 slice (1/12 of the cake)
Calories: 150
Total Fat: 2g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 115mg
Total Carbohydrates: 30g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 22g
Protein: 4g
Conclusion
Making a basic sponge cake is easy and simple. It is a perfect cake for any occasion and can be customized in many ways. Follow this recipe and enjoy a light and fluffy cake that is sure to impress.
