Step 1

Cream the butter and sugar very well until light colored and fluffy.

Step 2

Beat in the vanilla extract.

Step 3

Fold in the flour until a soft dough forms. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.

Step 4

Roll in balls and flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in flour or roll out and cut into shapes as desired.

Step 5

Bake at 350 degrees 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown. Allow longer baking time if you are baking the large rectangles of dough to be cut in fingers.

Step 6

These are simple perfection as they are but are also fantastic dipped in melted chocolate.

Step 7

See note for further instructions on shortbread fingers as shown.