Shortbread Cookies - Barefoot Contessa

By norsegal8

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb. unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 to 7 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt and add them to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump on to a floured surface and shape into a flat disc. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
Roll the dough out to 1/2-inch thick, and cook with cookie cutters. Plac ethe cookies on an ungreased baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Put three ounces in glass bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to heat and stir in 30 second increments until the chocolate is just melted. Add the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit a room temperature , stirring often, until it's completely smooth. Stir vigorously until the chocolate is smooth and slightly cooled; stirring makes it glossier. Drizzle or dip cookies.