This is shortbread cookies recipe adding almonds . This is buttery , crispy and utterly delicious clasic cookies . The “short ” part of shortbread refers to lack of gluten development in this cookies . Liquid activate gluten but because there is no liquid in the recipe and lot of fat the gluten doesn’t have chance to develop in to long strands of protein that in turn give other baked goods their chewy texture since the gluten is kept ” short ” we get a tender crumbly cookies that melt in the mouth . I personally love a nutty shortbread , so I add almonds to this recipe . These are rich , buttery , crispy yet soft and melt in your mouth kind . Try it once I am sure you will fall in love with these almonds cookies .

Ingredients :

1 . Butter – 1 cup ( at room temperature ) .

2 . Maida ( all purpose flour ) – 1 1/2 cup .

3 . Sugar powder – 1/2 cup .

4 . Corn flour – 1/2 cup .

5 . Vanilla extract or almond essence  – 1/2 tsp .

6 . Salt – 2 pinch .

7 . Almonds – 1/2 cup .

Method :

1 . Corsely powder the almonds , sieve and seperate powder and small pieces and keep aside .

2 . Take dry ingredients maida , corn flour , almonds powder and salt in a bowl , mix it well and keep aside .

3 . In another mixing bowl take soften butter and sugar powder . Beat it till it is light and creamy .

4 . Add vanilla essence and mix it well .

5 . Now add dry ingredients little by little . Mix in with spatula or wooden spoon till it gets all combined .

6 . Now add almond pieces to the dough and combine well .

7 . Dough will be sticky at this time so wrap the dough with cling wrap and chill the dough in to the refrigerator for about 20 – 30 minutes and it won’t be sticky any more .

8 . Line the baking tray with parchment paper .

9 . Preheat the oven at 170 degree Celsius for 10 – 15 minutes .

10 . Take out the dough from refrigerator and make small size balls .

11 . Slightly press the ball and roll it in almond pieces .

12 . Arrange them on the prepared tray . Make sure to keep them few inches apart . They will spread as they bake .

13 . Make design using the fork .

14 . Bake in to preheated oven at 170 degree Celsius for 20 – 25 minutes . Or till edges will starts to golden brown . Since oven temperature vary , It may take less or more time  . So do keep a check .

15 . Remove from oven and let it cool in to the tray for 1 – 2 minutes .

16 . Transfer them in to wire rack and let it cool completely .

17 . Store in air tight container .