Vanilla Bean Dome Shortbread

Name: Vanilla Bean Dome Shortbread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 42 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar; 1 vanilla bean (2.5 to 3 inches long, halved lengthwise); 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 cup cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter (cold, cubed); About 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)

This rich, tender vanilla bean dome shortbread is not rolled out. Instead, it is hand-shaped into small domed balls and dusted with powdered sugar on the exterior.

42 min

Easy

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Ingredients

all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups

powdered sugar 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon

vanilla bean (2.5 to 3 inches long, halved lengthwise) 1

vanilla extract 1 1/2 teaspoons

cornstarch 1/4 cup

salt 1/4 teaspoon

unsalted butter (cold, cubed) 1 cup (2 sticks)

powdered sugar (for dusting) About 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Preheat the oven

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Prepare two baking sheets.

Process the dough

In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Pulse to mix. Scatter the butter pieces over the flour mixture. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean with a paring knife and add the seeds and vanilla extract to the flour mixture. Pulse until the mixture is just evenly combined and smooth, stopping and stirring as needed to redistribute the contents. If the dough is too soft to handle, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes until it firms up slightly.

Shape

Using lightly oiled hands, form the dough into 1-inch balls in large portions, or use a small ice cream scoop to make neat 1-inch balls. Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake

Bake the cookies on separate racks in the center of the oven for 11 minutes; switch the position of the baking sheets and continue baking for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are lightly colored on the surface and the edges are browned.

Cool and decorate

Immediately transfer the cookies to a wire rack with a spatula. Let cool completely. Dust the tops of the cookies with powdered sugar; adjust the amount to taste.