Shortbread

Shortbread is a type of biscuit (US: cookie) which is traditionally made from one part sugar, two parts butter and three parts flour, although other ingredients like ground rice or cornflour (US: cornstarch) are sometimes added to alter the texture. It is baked at a low temperature to avoid browning; when cooked it should be white or a light golden brown. Shortbread is generally associated with Scotland although it is made in Denmark and in other countries.

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Shortbread is typically formed into one of three shapes: one large circle, which is divided into segments as soon as it is taken out of the oven ("Petticoat Tails"); individual round biscuits ("Shortbread Rounds"); or a thick (?" or 2 cm) rectangular slab which is cut into fingers (simply "Fingers"). It is made from a stiff dough which retains its shape well during cooking. The biscuits are often patterned, especially with the prongs of a fork before cooking, then sprinkled with more sugar while cooling.

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Shortbread biscuits are often found in biscuit selections, or made by hand and given as gifts. They have a sweet, buttery taste, and a firm but crumbly texture, and are suitable for dunking. Shortbread and tablet (a type of crumbly fudge) can be found in every tourist shop in Scotland, and are just as popular with the locals.

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Shortbread biscuits are not to be confused with either

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sweetbreads, which are cooked mammal thymus glands or pancreas, or with

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shortcake, which is similar to Shortbread but made using vegetable fat instead of butter, giving it a different texture.

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Biscuit: A biscuit is a type of food. The exact meaning varies in different parts of the world. The origin of the word biscuit is from a Middle French word meaning "twice cooked"....

Sugar: :This article deals with sugar as food and as an important, widely traded commodity. The word also has other uses; see sugar (disambiguation)....

Butter: Butter is a dairy product made by churning fresh cream. It consists of an emulsion of water and milk proteins in a matrix of fat, with over 80% being fat. It is used as a condiment and for cooking in much the same ways as vegetable oils or lard....