Valentine’s Day Simplified

Valentine’s day is complicated. So Seattlest likes to celebrate with something simple, something unobtrusive, something like shortbread. Shortbread is plain enough to please everyone, and when lovingly prepared, delicious enough to impress them too. Chummy coworkers? Shortbread. Been on a few dates, but not official? Shortbread. Shortbread says: I like you, but in a noncommittal sort of way.

Also, if you are the decorating sort, shortbread is a great blank canvas sort of cookie. We generally are not the decorating sort, but once a year, we get kitschy and a little tipsy like to make something that really screams with holiday cheer.

Shortbread is dead simple. To make enough shortbread for a couple dozen cookies; take out 2 sticks of butter and let them come to room temperature. When the butter is nice and soft, beat in a 1/2 cup of sugar with a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula (you’re not trying to add too much air, so no egg beater). Then add 1 2/3 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and fold into the butter until just incorporated. We like to roll out the dough at this point and then chill it. When the dough is nice and cold, cut your shapes out and bake in a 300 F oven until the bottoms are just browned.

Photo, and cookies, by Rachael Coyle