Shortbread Sea

Still attempting to put together plates for neighbors. This time, it's shortbread. A whole sea of it. 54 of them to be exact. I baked them yesterday afternoon. We are already 1 dozen less. This is even though the kids didn't touch them. I will put the recipe for them here as well. Traditionally, it calls for just white granulated sugar, but I substituted half of that for powdered. It makes for a slightly crunchier, less crumbly version which I prefer. You can always just use the regular sugar instead.

Ingredients:

• 1 and 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 1 tbsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream softened butter with sugars and vanilla. I find that you can use the mixer to mix first 2 cups of the flour in, after that it's better to add the rest and mix by hand. Roll out and use cookie cutters. Bake for 2o minutes or until light brown. If more than one tray in oven, half way through switch and rotate trays for more even baking. Cool on rack. This makes 54 (4 1/2 dozen) 2 inch diameter round cookies.