Petit Beurre Cookies Or Crumbs Food

PETIT BEURRE -- BUTTER COOKIES

Steps:

• In a medium mixing-bowl, rub together the butter and flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Form a well in the center, and add the sugar, salt, and 2 tablespoons cream/crème fraîche into the center.
• Stir with a fork in a circular motion starting from the center until the cream is absorbed, then knead the dough gently until smooth (if the dough is too dry to come together, add a little more cream, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency).
• Divide the dough in two, and gather each half into a slightly flattened ball.
• Cover and chill for an hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350F and lightly grease a baking sheet with butter.
• Working with one ball of dough at a time, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4".
• Use a cookie cutter to cut out cookies, and transfer them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Repeat with the remaining dough.
• Prick the cookies all over with a fork, and slip into the oven to bake for 12 to 15 minutes,until golden and just slightly browned at the edges.
• Transfer on a rack to cool completely, and keep in an airtight container.

PETIT BEURRE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a mixer fitted with a paddle, combine the two flours, confectioners' sugar and 6 1/2 ounces butter. Mix on medium-low until a dough forms. Transfer to a baking sheet and roll out 1/8-inch thick. Shape of dough does not matter; smooth edges for even browning. Bake until barely golden brown at edges, 25 to 35 minutes; be careful not to overbake. Remove from oven and cool completely.
• Using your fingers, crumble dough into fine crumbs and place in bowl of mixer fitted with a paddle. Add remaining 3 1/2 ounces butter and mix at medium speed. Mixture will gather into small pieces, and after a few minutes will change to a dough, pulling away from sides of bowl. Continue to mix until mixture becomes fluffy and creamy like whipped butter; this may take an additional 5 minutes.
• Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Using a rubber spatula, transfer dough to sheet and spread in a thick oval. Cover with plastic wrap, and use a rolling pin to roll mixture to about 1/3-inch thick. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter, cut circles from chilled dough. Transfer to baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2 inches apart. (Scraps of dough may be re-rolled and chilled for additional cookies.) Bake until edges are golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet. Transfer baking sheet to refrigerator; allow cookies to become well chilled.
• Fifteen minutes before serving, use a thin, flexible spatula to remove cookies from sheet. Chilled cookies may be placed atop a circle of raspberries or other berries. If desired, garnish plate with a scoop of ice cream.