Each summer, I host a tea party for my friends, where we all dress up in summer dresses, go for a walk, enjoy tea, sandwiches, and dessert, but most importantly enjoy each other’s company. While it is not quite time yet for me to host the party, here is a recipe (from the GreedyEats website) I used last year for some shortbread cookies, so you can recreate your own small tea party for a cozy moment of peace and quiet.
Shortbread Cookies
What you’ll need:
A hand mixer, mixing bowl, and baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of salted butter, at room temperature
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cornstarch
- Optional: 2 teaspoons vanilla, lemon, or orange extract for flavor; you may also add a Hershey Kiss, fruit, or jam/preserves to the center of the cookie before baking it!
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar for four to five minutes at medium to high speed. When finished, add in the optional flavoring and stir in for a few more seconds, until fully mixed.
- Turn the mixer on low, and slowly add in the flour and cornstarch. Beat just until it is combined, and no flour streaks remain.
- Roll the dough into 36 (or so) balls; if the dough is too light, put the dough into the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes to firm it up.
- Line the balls on the baking sheet, and gently press down on them with a fork to create indents in the dough.
- Chill the dough balls in the fridge for around two hours. When the two hours are up, preheat the oven to 300℉, and bake to cookies for 20 minutes. Take out of the oven and cool them on the baking tray.
- Prepare yourself a cup of tea while the cookies are cooling. Enjoy the tea with a fresh baked cookie, and make sure to share the batch with your friends!
