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Soft & Spiced Horchata Extract Shortbread Sugar Cookies

Soft & Spiced Horchata Extract Shortbread Sugar Cookies

Dolce Flav

Servings

15

Prep Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

20 minutes

Category

Horchata

Whisk the flours, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cream butter and sugars until pale and fluffy, then beat in an egg, vanilla, and horchata extract. Mix in dry ingredients just until a dough forms, wrap, and chill until firm. Roll, cut, and bake at 350°F until the edges just turn golden. Cool completely for the best shortbread bite and decorate as desired.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar

  • 1 large egg, room temperature

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons horchata extract

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 cup rice flour

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but nice)

Directions

  1. Make the spiced dry mix: In a bowl, whisk all-purpose flour, rice flour, cornstarch, and cinnamon until evenly combined. This prevents spreading and locks in shortbread texture.

  2. Cream for structure: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle, cream butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar on medium-low until pale and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Scrape the bowl.

  3. Add flavor: Beat in the egg, horchata extract, and vanilla (if using) on low until fully incorporated.

  4. Bring the dough together: Add the dry mix all at once and blend on low just until no dry spots remain. Do not overmix—stop as soon as it clumps.

  5. Chill for clean cuts: Turn dough onto plastic wrap, press into a disc, wrap tightly, and refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight best) for no-spread edges.

  6. Roll & cut: Knead the chilled dough 1–2 times to soften slightly. Roll to 1/4-inch on a lightly floured surface, cut shapes, and transfer to a parchment-lined sheet. Chill cutouts 10–15 minutes for sharp lines.

  7. Bake: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes, rotate, then bake 1–5 minutes more until edges just start to turn golden. Cool on the pan, then move to a rack.

  8. Finish: Enjoy plain, dust with cinnamon-sugar, or decorate with royal icing or vanilla-bean frosting.