For Easy To Work With Shortbread Dough, Follow Ina Garten's Fool-Proof Tip

Ina Garten, the beloved Barefoot Contessa, has a reputation for simplifying even the most daunting recipes, and her approach to shortbread dough is no exception. Garten emphasizes the importance of using cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, which ensures the dough remains easy to handle and doesn't become too sticky. She recommends mixing the butter with sugar until just combined, then gently incorporating flour and a pinch of salt until the dough barely holds together. This method prevents overworking the dough, which can lead to tough shortbread. Another vital tip from Garten is to chill the dough before rolling it out. Refrigerating the dough for at least 30 minutes helps it firm up, making it easier to shape and reducing the likelihood of spreading during baking. When rolling out the dough, Garten advises using a lightly floured surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking, and suggests rolling it to an even thickness for uniform baking. If precision is key, she recommends using a ruler to measure the thickness. By following these straightforward steps, you can achieve perfectly tender and buttery shortbread, a testament to Garten's philosophy of making cooking approachable and enjoyable.