Irish Butter Shortbread

On Friday, we're having a St. Patrick's Day luncheon at work, and I thought I'd give these cookies a trial run tonight. They're Irish Butter Shortbread, and let me tell you, Martha Stewart can do no wrong! All of the recipes I've tried from her website have been delicious and easy to prepare. Okay, sure, this one makes number four, but until I come across a bad one, she's A-OK!

Irish Butter Shortbread

• 1 cup (2 sticks) Irish unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar. With the mixer on low, slowly add flour. Continue mixing until dough comes together to form a ball.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface; roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thickness, dusting rolling pin with flour as necessary to prevent sticking. Using a 2 1/4-inch round, fluted cutter, cut out dough. Transfer to prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart. Gather up any scraps, gently re-roll, and repeat cutting process. Take care not to overwork dough.
4. Transfer baking sheet to oven and bake until shortbread just begins to turn golden, about 30 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. Shortbread may be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

I tried one right out of the oven, and besides burning my tongue, it was buttery and flaky, and I loved it! Now Tom, for some odd reason, wasn't crazy about them. Really? From the guy who's favorite Girl Scout cookie is Trefoils (the shortbread ones)? Oh well, his loss. Now I don't have to make a second batch for the party.