Mary Berry Shortbread Recipe
Introduction
Shortbread is a classic Scottish sweet treat that makes a perfect snack for any time of the day. Mary Berry, the queen of baking, has a fantastic recipe for shortbread that is easy to follow and produces delicious results. In this blog post, we will be sharing Mary Berry's shortbread recipe along with instructions and nutritional information.Ingredients
To make Mary Berry's shortbread, you will need the following ingredients:- 250g unsalted butter, softened
- 125g caster sugar
- 250g plain flour
- 125g rice flour
- A pinch of salt
Butter
Butter is the main ingredient in shortbread, and it's essential to use unsalted butter to get the best results. The butter should be softened, but not melted, so take it out of the fridge a few hours before baking.Sugar
Caster sugar is used in this recipe, but you can also use granulated sugar if you don't have caster sugar. The sugar adds sweetness and gives the shortbread its crumbly texture.Flour
Plain flour and rice flour are used in this recipe to give the shortbread its signature crumbly texture. Rice flour is finer than plain flour and helps to make the shortbread lighter.Salt
A pinch of salt is added to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavor of the shortbread.Instructions
Follow these simple steps to make Mary Berry's shortbread:- Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Sift in the plain flour, rice flour, and salt and mix until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently until smooth.
- Press the dough into a 20cm/8in round cake tin and prick it all over with a fork.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes until the shortbread is pale golden and firm to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes.
- Cut into wedges while still warm, then leave to cool completely in the tin.
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3. Make sure the oven is fully preheated before you start baking.Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You can use an electric mixer or do it by hand with a wooden spoon.Step 3: Sift in the flour and salt
Sift in the plain flour, rice flour, and salt and mix until the dough comes together. You can use a sieve to sift the flour or do it by hand.Step 4: Knead the dough
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead gently until smooth. Be careful not to overwork the dough, or the shortbread will become tough.Step 5: Press the dough into a cake tin
Press the dough into a 20cm/8in round cake tin and prick it all over with a fork. This will help the shortbread to cook evenly and prevent it from rising too much.Step 6: Bake the shortbread
Bake for 50-60 minutes until the shortbread is pale golden and firm to the touch. Check on the shortbread regularly to make sure it doesn't burn.Step 7: Cool the shortbread
Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes. This will make it easier to cut into wedges.Step 8: Cut into wedges
Cut into wedges while still warm, then leave to cool completely in the tin. This will help the shortbread to set and develop its crumbly texture.Nutrition
Mary Berry's shortbread is a delicious treat, but it's important to be mindful of the nutritional information. Here is the nutritional information for a serving of Mary Berry's shortbread (based on 16 servings):- Calories: 215
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 13g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 8g