Sumac Sugar Cookies Food

SUMAC AND VANILLA SHORTBREAD

Steps:

• Use a food processor or an electric mixer with a paddle attachment to work the butter, icing sugar, flour, vanilla seeds and salt until the mixture just forms a ball of dough. It takes a while to come together, so don't lose faith. Once it has formed, turn the dough out onto the work surface. Divide into two pieces and shape each one into a log - I prefer to make it rectangular but it is tasty in any shape.
• Mix the sumac and sugar on the work surface. Roll the log in the sumac-sugar to coat all over, then place in the fridge to set for at least 1 hour (or freeze it until you want to bake them).
• Heat your oven to 190°C/170°C fan/375°F/gas mark 5. Line two baking trays with baking paper. Use a sharp knife to cut each log into 12-14 slices and place them flat on the trays.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until light golden, then remove from the oven. Leave to cool on the tray before eating.

SUMAC SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Mix up the butter and sugar until really combined. Mix the flour, sumac, baking powder and salt, and then add to the creamed butter slowly, mixing together until a dough is formed. Divide the dough into thirds, wrap in wax paper and place in the freezer to speed chill for 45 minutes.
• Transfer the dough to the fridge to keep cool while rolling out. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• On a clean work service, sprinkle some powdered sugar. Also sprinkle some powdered sugar on a rolling pin or wine bottle. Roll out the dough to desired thickness. Work quickly to keep the dough COLD. Keep in mind that the thinner you roll them, the shorter the cooking time. Do you want wafers or cookies? Your choice. Bake these guys, in batches if necessary, on a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet until they are just golden brown on the edges, 8 to 10 minutes. It might be wise to rotate the sheet halfway through baking, depending on your oven.
• Remove from the oven, let them cool and give them to the kids to decorate. Celebrate sumac.

SUGAR COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat the butter and sugar with an electric whisk for 4 mins until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then add the vanilla. Whisk in the cornflour and plain flour until the mixture comes together into a dough. Put the dough between two pieces of baking parchment, and roll out to a 6mm thickness using a rolling pin. Chill for 30 mins.
• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Peel the top layer of parchment off the dough and stamp out circles using a 6cm round cutter (or the shape of your choice). Re-roll any offcuts and continue stamping out rounds until all the dough is used. Transfer the cookies to a second large baking sheet lined with baking parchment, spacing them 2cm apart (you may need two sheets). Bake for 7-10 mins. Leave to cool on the sheet for 15 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Will keep in an airtight container for one week.