Knock 'em Dead Shortbread

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup butter, refrigerated
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup pecans (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   1. Turn your oven to 300 F to heat up. Grease the inside of the pan with butter on a paper towel.

2. 2

   2. Put a strainer over a large mixing bowl and pour the flour into it. Shake the flour into the bowl.

3. 3

   3. Cut the butter into small pieces and put them into a bowl. Mix them with a blunt knife to coat them with flour.

4. 4

   4. Rub the pieces of butter between your fingertips. Lift the mixture and let it fall back into the bowl as you rub.

5. 5

   5. Continue rubbing in the flour until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs. Stir in the sugar with a wooden spoon.

6. 6

   6. Holding the bowl in one hand, squeeze the mixture into a ball. The heat from your hand makes the mixture stick together.

7. 7

   7. Press the mixture into the pan with your fingers, then use a spoon to smooth the top and make it level.

8. 8

   8. Use prongs of a fork to press a pattern around the edge. Then cut the mixture into eight pieces.

9. 9

   9. Bake for 30 mins.until it is golden brown. Leave the bread for 5 minutes Before putting it on a wire rack.